Info.
~ THE DIAMOND STAR PLATFORM ~
THE JOINT VENTURE
In 1985, Chrysler and Mitsubishi shook hands on a joint venture and called it Diamond Star Motors. The diamond came from Mitsubishi's three-diamond logo. The star came from Chrysler's pentastar. The factory went up in Normal, Illinois, and started rolling cars off the line in 1988.
Three nameplates. One platform. The Mitsubishi Eclipse, the Eagle Talon, and the Plymouth Laser. Same bones, three badges. The enthusiast world called them the DSM triplets.
The Triplets
◆ MITSUBISHI
Eclipse
Built1989 - 2012
StatusThe survivor
The longest-lived of the three. Outlasted DSM itself.
★ OURS ★
★ EAGLE
Talon
Built1989 - 1998
StatusThe legend
The enthusiast favorite. The car the magazine loved.
▶ PLYMOUTH
Laser
Built1989 - 1994
StatusThe rare one
Discontinued first. The most uncommon DSM today.
The Generations
| SPEC | 1G · 1989 - 1994 | 2G · 1995 - 1999 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine (TSi) | 4G63T · 2.0L turbo I4 | 4G63T · 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Power (AWD) | 195 - 210 hp | 210 hp |
| Torque | 203 lb-ft | 214 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual / 4-speed auto | 5-speed manual / 4-speed auto |
| Drivetrain | FWD or AWD (TSi) | FWD or AWD (TSi) |
| Curb weight | ~3,100 lbs (AWD) | ~3,200 lbs (AWD) |
| 0 - 60 mph | ~6.5 sec | ~6.7 sec |
| Rear end | 2-bolt (early) / 4-bolt (92+) | 4-bolt |
Note: The 4-bolt rear end starting in 1992 is one of the key reasons the '92+ TSi AWD is the enthusiast pick.
The Engine
4G63T
2.0L turbocharged inline-four. Iron block. Aluminum head. Legend.
DISPLACEMENT
1,997 cc
BORE / STROKE
85 / 88 mm
COMPRESSION
8.5 : 1
TURBO (1G TSi)
14B
Also lived under the hood of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and won the World Rally Championship more than once. Same heart in a Talon as in an Evo VI.
THE END OF AN ERA
Eagle was wound down in 1998. Plymouth followed in 2001. The DSM joint venture itself ended that same year when Chrysler sold its share back to Mitsubishi. The factory closed in 2015. But the cars are still out there, and so are the people who love them.