Mitsubishi Starion: The Forgotten Turbo Icon of the 1980s

Shadow Legend - In the vibrant tapestry of 1980s automotive culture, where turbochargers whistled and angular silhouettes ruled the roads, names like Supra, RX-7, and 300ZX are often the first to echo in enthusiasts' minds. But tucked beneath the surface of mainstream nostalgia lies a gem that deserves far more attention than it typically receives—a car with bold styling, advanced engineering, and a story that spans continents and corporate identities. That car is the Mitsubishi Starion.

The Mitsubishi Starion, a car with bold styling, advanced engineering, and a story that spans continents and corporate identities. (Picture from: de.Motor1)

Unveiled in 1982, the Starion marked Mitsubishi’s serious foray into the realm of high-performance sports coupes. While it shared showroom space with more practical models, the Starion stood apart, with a name rooted in mythology. Inspired by the “Star of Arion”—a mythical steed said to be born of Poseidon and Demeter—the name reflected a legacy of strength and swiftness. This wasn’t just marketing flourish; it was a symbol of Mitsubishi’s intent to bring something truly distinctive to the performance world.

The Mitsubishi Starion has a fascinating journey of rebranding and adaptation. Though originally sold under the Mitsubishi badge, the car's North American identity began to shift as the Conquest Conquest. (Picture from: de.Motor1)

What followed was a fascinating journey of rebranding and adaptation. Though originally sold under the Mitsubishi badge, the car's North American identity began to shift by 1984. Chrysler, seeing potential in the sporty coupe, marketed it under its Dodge and Plymouth brands as the Conquest. This simple rebadging didn’t change the car’s mechanical DNA—it remained thoroughly Mitsubishi underneath—but it allowed the vehicle to tap into a broader market.

Rear view of earlier, narrow-bodied Mitsubishi Starion.. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

By 1987, the model was absorbed more formally into the Chrysler portfolio as the Chrysler Conquest, even while Mitsubishi continued to sell its own versions. This dual-branding approach earned the car the nickname "Starquest," a blend of both identities, and a name now fondly used among enthusiasts. 

Front three quarter view of the 1982 Mitsubishi Starion Turbo EX 2.0. (Picture from: Wikimedia)

Under the hood, the U.S. versions packed a punchy 2.6-liter turbocharged inline-four. Producing up to 188 horsepower and 234 lb-ft of torque by the late 1980s, the engine was notable not just for its output, but for pioneering the use of balance shaft technology—so effective that even Porsche licensed it for their 944. 

Left side view of the 1988 Mitsubishi Starion Turbo 2.0 (wide-body). (Picture from: Wikipedia)

Paired with rear-wheel drive and a standard five-speed manual transmission, the Starion delivered a compelling drive, especially with the wide-body variants that appeared starting in 1986. These versions brought flared fenders, larger wheels, and intercoolers, enhancing both performance and presence.

Front three quarter view of the rebadged Starion as the Chrysler Conquest TSi (in pictured 1987 model). (Picture from: Wikipedia)

Globally, the Starion story was a bit different. European and Japanese markets initially received smaller 2.0-liter engines to avoid tax penalties associated with larger displacements. These models introduced the 4G63B engine, a powerplant that would become legendary in its own right as it evolved into the beating heart of the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Lancer Evolution. With various turbocharged configurations available, the non-American Starions offered high-revving alternatives that catered to different performance tastes.

The Mitsubishi Starion built its legacy with strong motorsport credentials, earning accolades in touring car series across Europe, Japan, and North America. (Picture from: DeepEnd.id)

The Starion’s motorsport credentials added further depth to its legacy. Competing in touring car series around the world, it earned accolades across Europe, Japan, and North America. Mitsubishi also campaigned it in rally events, including a Group B prototype that, while never officially homologated, found success in events like the Paris-Dakar Rally. It was a car that proved its mettle on the tarmac and on the dirt, embodying the kind of versatility rarely seen in sports coupes of the time.

The Mitsubishi Starion 4WD prototype was never fully developed, due to the cancellation of Group B. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

As Mitsubishi's performance lineup expanded by the end of the decade, the Starion’s role began to fade. New models like the Eclipse, built in partnership with Chrysler through the Diamond-Star Motors joint venture, captured the spotlight with fresh styling and accessible performance. The Starion, lacking a second-generation redesign, quietly exited the stage after 1989, making it a rare breed today. With fewer than 75,000 units reaching American shores, and just 159 Mitsubishi-branded examples sold in its final year, it remains one of the more elusive and collectible Japanese sports cars from that era. | xShPMfPr8oc |

Now, in a time when vintage turbocharged coupes are seeing a renaissance among collectors, the Mitsubishi Starion stands out as a daring, innovative vehicle that never got the credit it deserved. Its blend of muscular design, technical sophistication, and racing spirit make it more than just a footnote in automotive history—it’s a symbol of a bold moment when Mitsubishi aimed for the stars. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORTREND | DRIVENTOWRITE || DE.MOTOR1 | WIKIPEDIA | DEEPEND.ID | WAY ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.