The Mitsubishi Diamante is a front-wheel drive luxury sedan sold by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. The Diamante was produced for the U.S. market from 1990 to 2005, facing off against competitors such as the Acura Legend and Infiniti Q45. The Diamante did not have the popularity of the Legend and it also did not benefit from constant updates as other similar vehicles have.
The sole power plant for the Diamante was the 3.5-liter, SOHC, V6 engine. This engine produces 205 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 231 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. The VR-X trim adds an extra five horsepower and nine foot-pounds of torque. All of the Diamante trims are equipped with a four-speed automatic with overdrive. The V6 engine is capable of achieving an EPA fuel economy figure of 18 miles per gallon in city driving and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.
The Diamante was originally conceived as a competitor for the Acura Legend, which sparked a flood of Japanese luxury sedans in the U.S. market. Introduced in 1990, the Diamante was available as a station wagon. The... View more vehicle was removed from the U.S. market in 1996. Another model, known as the Sigma, featured a six-window glasshouse with a taller roofline than the pillarless model offered in the U.S. market. The second- generation Diamante offered refreshed styling and a new front fascia, but the facelift could not stave off declining sales. The sedan was eventually removed from the U.S. market after exchange rates and steadily declining sales made continued production unattractive. To fill in the gap left by the vehicle's departure, the Galant GTS was slotted in as a replacement for the Diamante.
The Diamante featured three trim levels: the base ES, upper-level LS and sporty VR-X. The VR-X features a rear-spoiler, upgraded seats, special body cladding and silver metallic interior trim. Options for other trims included cruise control, remote power door locks, power mirrors, power sunroof, speed-proportional power steering, leather and wood drim on dash, center console and doors, driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support and variable intermittent wipers. Safety features included anti-lock brakes, traction control and driver and passenger side airbags.
The Diamante was modestly priced at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $25,000. The Diamante LS was priced at $27,619, not including additional options. Cash rebates and other incentives reduced the MSRP by a significant amount View less
