Car Facts
15 Discontinued Mitsubishi Cars (Photos)
Mitsubishi is a great automobile company with different popular models most of us know. The Japanese automaker has discontinued some of their models. Mitsubishi now concentrates on the SUV market which is more profitable. In this article, we will be looking at 15 discontinued Mitsubishi cars through time. let’s begin…..
1. Colt
The Colt debuted in 1962 as a small sedan/hatchback. it was a fan favorite over the years as the sedan changed to Lancer and the hatchback remained colt. It lasted for many years before it was finally killed off in 2013. In some countries, it has become a minivan and now called Colt Plus which is totally different from the regular Colt.
2. Lancer
The most famous model among all is the Lancer period. It revolutionized the sports sedan class with its powerful looks and engines. The most iconic model is the Lancer Evolution which was a performance-oriented model that was used in lots of movies (Fast and Furious) and motorsport competitions.
3. Galant/Sapporo
Mitsubishi Galant has been the automaker’s answer to the Camry and Accord, it lasted very long until 2012 when it was finally discontinued. An European variant was released as Sapporo.
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4. Space Wagon
The Space Wagon was a very popular MPV of the 80s, 90s and even 2000s before it was replaced with another MPV which also was replaced. The Space Wagon gave rivals like the Toyota Previa a good run.
5. Endeavor
The Mitsubishi Endeavour was a purpose-built SUV for the American market. A couple of Endeavors are also found on our Nigerian roads.
6. Carisma
The Volvo S40 based Carisma is an European car all through. Since the Gallant was now a large sedan and way above the rivals, Mitsubishi made the Carisma compete with Europen cars like the Ford Mondeo and Peugeot 406.
7. Raider
This pickup truck was based on the now-discontinued Dodge Dakota pickup and was the first Mitsubishi to use a V8 engine. Sales didn’t meet the target and the market for small pickups back then was declining due to high prices so it was discontinued.
8. Eclipse
Not to be confused with the Eclipse Cross which is an SUV, the original Eclipse was a sports car. The Eclipse was very famous in films and popular videogames like Fast and Furious and Grand Tourismo. It’s available in a coupe and not so famous convertible based on the Galant.
9. Diamante/Sigma
The Diamante was a large Mitsubishi sedan that the company used to competes with the Honda Legend and Toyota Avalon. It was called Sigma in Europe and Diamante in the US. The Diamante spanned from 1998 to 2005 (2 generations) before it was phased out of the market. It was available in a sedan and wagon.
10. GTO
Mitsubishi GTO is a great classic sports car that had the 2+2 seating configuration. It is also called the 3000GT because you guessed it, it was using a 3.0V6 at that time. The VR-4 variant has 304hp and road tests at the time showed the second generation 3000GT VR-4 to be capable of 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.8 – 5.4 seconds. That’s impressive by 1998 standards and was finally phased out in 2000.
11. FTO
The FTO is a smaller alternative to the GTO that has less power (some models use a 2.0 V6). It competes with the Mazda Miata and Honda Del Sol back in the 90s. The FTO recorded some success but it eventually bowed out like the GTO in 2000. It had a little resemblance to the Aston Martin DB7 at the front.
12. Tredia/ Cordia
The Tredia is a four-door small sedan while the Cordia is a 3 door coupe. Both are literally the same cars just that the Cordia is the coupe version. The Tredia and Cordia didn’t last long because as they came out in 1983 they were discontinued in 1990. Both cars come in optional four-wheel-drive and also a rare 8-speed supershift manual gearbox and also among the first cars to use digital dashboard.
13. Starion
The Starion was a 3 door sports car of the 80s that had a short life spanning only 6 years. It was also going to compete with other top Japanese sports cars of that era like the Honda Prelude and Toyota Supra. It was a pioneer for the GTO and FTO sports cars which are also discontinued. The Starion was also a decent performer.
14. Pajero iO
The iO is a mini Pajero that was introduced by Mitsubishi in 1998. It is cute and easy to drive. The Pajero iO comes as a 3-door or 5-door SUV. Available engines are 1.8 liters and 2.0 liter. We remember loving this SUV back in the day.
15. Grandis
The Mitsubishi Grandis was a direct replacement to the Space Wagon and it was also discontinued. It was not so popular in Nigeria because most Nigerians preferred V6 powered Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. And also in comparison to size, it was smaller. Sales affected it in Europe because the small minivan was been replaced by crossover SUVs.
Which of the discontinued Mitsubishi cars is your most favourite?
