Mitsubishi Diamante

Mitsubishi Diamante

Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Motors
Also called	Mitsubishi Magna/Verada Mitsubishi Sigma Mitsubishi V3000
Production	1990–2005
Assembly	Nagoya, Japan Clovelly Park, South Australia, Australia
Predecessor	Mitsubishi Sigma (For North America)
Class	Full-size

The Mitsubishi Diamante is a car manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors between 1990 and 2005. It was first introduced to the public at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1989, and went on sale in Japan in May 1990. The name was derived from the Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian words for diamond. It became the second generation Magna, replacing the widened 1983 Galant Sigma-based Magna. The luxury version of the Magna, Mitsubishi Verada was the Australian equivalent of the Diamante.

There have been rumors that the Diamante was either not intended for a Japanese launch, or it might have been planned as a low-volume model. The reason for this argument is that until 1989, the width of vehicles was a vital indication of taxation class. The Diamante, being wider than the 1,700 mm (66.9 in) break (station wagon), would have suffered a large tax penalty against most of its rivals, which were designed to be just under limit. At the time, Mitsubishi's image was also considered less than ideal for the marketing of a luxury car—its most expensive offering that the time, the Debonair, was largely seen as a company car project for Mitsubishi conglomerate executives. The Diamante's introduction was the result of the Honda Legend, which caught manufacturers by surprise when it appeared in 1986, inspiring the creation of the Lexus and Infiniti divisions, as well as various executive car class vehicles to be revised as a result. Mitsubishi needed to compete with the Legend and the Diamante was the result.

However, the tax situation had changed in 1989, and the Diamante became the surprise hit of 1990. Amidst Japan's bubble economy, many private car owners sought an executive car in a market that had very few new offerings that year.

First generation

First generation

Production	1990–1996
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door hardtop sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	Front engine, front-/Four-wheel drive
Engine	2.0 L 6G71 V6 2.5 L 6G73 V6 3.0 L 6G72 V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	Sedan: 2,720 mm (107.1 in) Wagon: 2,723 mm (107.2 in)
Length	Sedan: 4,830 mm (190.2 in) 4,886 mm (192.4 in)
Width	1,775 mm (69.9 in)
Height	Sedan: 1,335 mm (52.6 in) Wagon: 1,470 mm (57.9 in)

The Japanese market Diamante was a four-door hardtop with no window sashes. Five months after the Diamante's launch, Mitsubishi also introduced the Sigma, which was different from the Diamante with its slightly taller roofline, six-windows as opposed to four-window glasshouse, window sashes, and front/rear treatment.

In Japan, the Diamante was available with three V6 engines (2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 Liter) of the 6G7 family; all wheel drive was available on most models. Perhaps contrary to its overseas image, Mitsubishi at the time fully emphasized the use of electronic gadgets in its cars, and the Diamante is notable for a long list of such features. This generation won the Japan Car of the Year award in 1990. The Diamante was first sold in 1992 in the United States, replacing the Sigma, which was based on previous generation Mitsubishi Galants.

In Australia, the Sigma was manufactured locally as the Mitsubishi Verada, with a cheaper mainstream version known as the Magna. The Magna/Verada station wagon was designed locally in Australia, and was exported to Japan and the United States as the Diamante wagon, to Europe as the Sigma wagon, and to New Zealand as the Magna/V3000 wagon.

The first generation Diamante came in three versions:

Four-side window sedan: Unlike the Magna/Verada this Diamante did not have the rear quarter windows. The only side glass was that in the doors. All of these vehicles were built in Nagoya in Japan and were intended for the Japanese domestic market.

Six-side window sedan: Much the same as the Second Generation Magna/Verada. Built in Australia.

Wagon: Introduced in 1993, again the same as Magna/Verada and built in Australia.

Japanese spec

The Japanese spec Diamante was built from 1990 until 1995 and was available in front and all-wheel drive.

Front wheel drive

The Front wheel drive Diamantes utilise MacPherson front suspension with a multiple link arrangement in the rear. The rear suspension is also unlike the Magna/Verada, the Diamante being independent.

The FWD Diamante is available with a range of engines, some also with 5 speed manual in addition to 4 speed automatic transmission.

20E

The 20E is the base model Diamante. It has a frame number of E-F11A. It comes with a 2.0 Litre 6G71 SOHC 24 valve V6 engine outputting 91 kW (122 hp) at 5500 rpm and 172 N·m (127 lb·ft) at 3500 rpm. It is available as both a 5 speed manual and 4 speed automatic.

Standard equipment includes power windows, rpm sensitive power steering, power mirrors, climate control and a 4 speaker AM/FM radio with cassette.

The 20E sits atop 195/70R14 tyres with steel rims.

Optional are a rear wiper and alloy wheels.

25E

1991-1996 Mitsubishi Sigma sedan (Europe).

1991-1996 Mitsubishi Sigma sedan (Europe).

MY1993-1996 Mitsubishi Diamante station wagon (U.S.).

Mitsubishi Diamante wagon (US)

The 25E has the same features as the 20E but replaces the 20E's 2.0 Litre engine with a 2.5 Litre unit. The 25E's 2.5 Litre 6G73 DOHC V6 engine, outputs 129 kW (173 hp) at 6000 rpm and 222 N·m (164 lb·ft) at 4500 rpm.

The 25E has a frame number of E-F13A.

25V

The next model in the tall Diamante model ladder is the 25V. The 25V is almost the same as the 25E, although is identified with a different frame number (E-F15A) It uses the same 2.5 Litre 6G73 DOHC V6 engine, outputting 129 kW (173 hp) at 6000 rpm and 222 N·m (164 lb·ft) at 4500 rpm. It is available in 5-speed tiptronic.

The 25V has everything the 20E has with 205/65R15 tyres on alloy wheels, speed sensitive power steering, leather wrapped steering wheel and ventilated rear brake discs for maximum braking performance.

Optional is a rear wiper.

25V-SE

The 25V-SE is the top of the range 2.5 Litre Diamante variant. As with its lower variants the 2.5 Litre 6G73 DOHC V6 engine is used. As with the 25V upon which it is based, it is only available as an automatic.

It features everything of the 25V and adds ABS, traction control and electric seats.

Optional is the rear wiper and leather interior.

It is identified by the same E-F17A frame number as the 25V.

30V

The 30V is the base 3.0 Litre FWD Diamante base. It comes with a 3.0 Litre 6G72 DOHC V6 outputting 154 kW (207 hp) at 6000 rpm and 270 N·m (199 lb·ft) at 3000 rpm. It is only available in automatic.

The FWD Diamante Wagon comes with a 3.0 Litre 6G72 SOHC V6 outputting 118 kW (158 hp) at 5000 rpm and 184 N·m (136 lb·ft) at 4000 rpm.

The 30V features everything of the 25V and adds cruise control, remote central locking traction control, 6 speaker AM/FM cassette player and traction control. Leather interior and rear wiper remain optional.

The frame number of the 30V is E-F17A.

30R

The 30R is the middle of the 3.0 Litre FWD Diamante range. It uses the 3.0 Litre 6G72 DOHC V6 outputting 154 kW (207 hp) a 6000 rpm and 270 N·m (199 lb·ft) at 3000 rpm. As with all higher spec Diamantes it is available in automatic only.

Strangely the 30R, which sold for 40,000 yen more than the 30V has everything of the 30V except traction control and ABS. It seems the only addition is a front spoiler.

The 30R is identified with the same E-F17A frame number.

30R-SE

The 30R-SE is the pinnacle of the FWD Diamante range. It uses the same 3.0 Litre V6 as the 30R/30V and again is automatic only.

The 30R-SE has everything of the 30V as well being lowered by 10 mm (0.4 in) with Active Electronic Control Suspension. It is also given the front spoiler of the 30R.

It also shares the frame number of E-F17A with the other two 30 FWDs.

4WD Variants

All-wheel drive Diamantes come in three models, the 25V 4WD, 30R 4WD and the flagship 30R-SE 4WD. All have McPherson strut front suspension with double wishbones at the rear. Both front and rear brake discs are ventilated. The AWD Diamante sits 5 mm (0.2 in) lower than a standard FWD Diamante and has a 70 litre fuel tank instead of the FWD's 72 litre tank. All are available only as 4 speed automatic.

25V 4WD

The 25V 4WD is the entry level Diamante with AWD. It has a frame number of E-F25A.

The 25V comes with a 2.5 Litre 6G73 DOHC V6 engine, outputting 129 kW (173 hp) at 6000 rpm and 222 N·m (164 lb·ft) at 4500 rpm.

Standard equipment includes speed sensing power steering, power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, leather steering wheel, alloy wheels, remote central locking, climate control and a 4 speaker AM/FM radio with cassette plater. Optional is full leather interior and a rear wiper.

30R-SE 4WD

The 30R-SE 4WD is the flagship of the Diamante range. It has the frame number of E-F27A as it is the same basic vehicle as the 30R.

The only difference between the 30R-SE and 30R is the addition of a CD player.

Australian specification

The Australian built Diamantes all had six-side windows (one in each door and one in the rear pillar) and includes station wagons. These were exported around the world after 1992.

Main article: Mitsubishi Magna

Diamantes in the U.S.

Mitsubishi Motors North America seemed to have sourced their Diamantes from both Australia and Japan. It was available in three trim levels, all front-wheel drive and automatic only.

ES

The ES corresponds roughly to the Ei Verada. It uses the 12 valve 6G72 SOHC 3.0 Litre V6, same as the Magna/Verada of the time.

The Diamante Wagon, also comes with a 3.0 Litre engine Y7 6G72 SOHC V6 outputting 118 kW (158 hp) at 5000 rpm. It is only available in automatic.

Standard equipment includes central locking, driver's airbag, power windows and power mirrors. Optional is ABS, cruise control, alloys and sunroof.

When the Diamante was facelifted in 1994, the ES received passenger side airbag and cruise control as standard.

LS

The LS corresponds roughly to the Xi Verada. It uses a 6G72 DOHC 3.0 Litre V6 engine.

The LS comes with everything of the ES and adds alloy wheels, cruise control and ABS to the standard equipment list. A manual sunroof and leather was also optional.

As with the ES, when facelifted in 1994, the feature list changed. The manual sunroof was deleted from the option list and replaced with CD Player, traction control and power sunroof. A passenger side airbag became standard.

• 
• 1994 Mitsubishi Diamante LS Wagon

VR-X

Introduced in 2002, the VR-X offered a spoiler (standard on 2004), sportier exhausts, seats, and stiffer suspension, horsepower also increased from 205 hp (153 kW) to 210 hp (157 kW). This model came with cloth seats and sport front seats. Sport rims, an aero look, white speedometer, and distinctive head and tail lights were also offered.

Second generation

Second generation

Production	1995–2005
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Engine	2.5 6G73 V6 3.0 L 6G72 V6 3.5 L 6G74 V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,720 mm (107.1 in)
Length	4,930–4,980 mm (194.1–196.1 in)
Width	1,785 mm (70.3 in)
Height	1,370 mm (53.9 in)

The second iteration of the Diamante was introduced in Japan in January 1995. The car was marginally larger with improved headroom.

Several engines were available. The base engine was a 2.5 L MVV (lean burn) V6, followed by a number of 2.5 and 3.0 liter variants. The new Diamante range topped off with a 3.5 L MIVEC V6 rated at 194 kW (264 PS; 260 hp) at 6000 and 324 N·m (239 ft·lbf) at 4500 rpm.

The gadget trend continued with the new Diamante, including a distance/lane-keeping system that tracked lanes and the car ahead using a set of radar and camera (this was first introduced on the 1992 Debonair). Satellite navigation featured prominently on the center console, and for the first time, a 5-speed automatic transmission was installed in a transverse drivetrain, complete with the Tiptronic-style INVECS-II technology.

The Sigma model was eliminated and not renewed for a second generation, due to poor sales in Japan; most Sigmas sold became taxis and patrol cars.

For Australian market, the new Diamante (Verada) debuted in 1996. The 1997 Diamante went into production in Adelaide, Australia. The very first 1997 Verada rolled off the assembly line on July 1, 1996.

In the latter years of its life, the Diamante range was reduced to a single engine offering in Japan, first a 3.0 L GDI V6 (the first of its kind), and then a conventional 2.5 L V6.

2004 Mitsubishi Diamante (US)

The exterior was refreshed for 2002, and then again for 2004, the last year of the Diamante. Mitsubishi ceased to import the Diamante to North America after 2004 due to a decline in sales and unfavourable exchange rates. The U.S. market Galant grew in size, and was replaced by the upper-end GTS trim of the Galant. In Canada, the Diamante was only sold in 2004.

On June 15, 2005, Mitsubishi announced it would halt production on larger sedans within Japan by December, including the Diamante and the Galant.

References