Mitsubishi Cordia

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Mitsubishi Cordia

Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Motors
Production	1982–1990
Successor	Mitsubishi Eclipse (U.S.)
Class	Compact car
Body style	3-door coupé hatchback
Layout	FF layout/All wheel drive
Engine	4G12T 1.4 L I4 4G32 1.6 L I4 4G32T 1.6 L turbo I4 4G62 1.8 L I4 4G62T 1.8 L turbo 4G63 2.0 L I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2445 mm (96.3 in)
Length	4275 mm (173 in)
Width	1660 mm (65.4 in)
Height	1320 mm (49.4 in)
Curb weight	960 kg
Related	Mitsubishi Tredia
Similar	Honda Prelude Subaru XT Toyota Celica

The Mitsubishi Cordia was a compact hatchback coupé built by Mitsubishi Motors from 1982 to 1990. Its name is supposedly an amalgam of "cordorite" (a lustrous mineral) and "diamonds" from Mitsubishi's Three Diamonds logo. Alongside the Tredia and Starion, it was one of the first cars imported and sold to America by the company without the involvement of its then partner, the Chrysler Corporation.

[edit] Overview

Designed to fit between the existing Galant and Lancer models to increase the overall lineup of passenger vehicles, the Cordia and Tredia used front-wheel drive, and were similar in design to the contemporary Mirage. They incorporated a MacPherson strut/beam axle suspension, front disc brakes, manual or electrically controlled automatic transmission, and a choice of three engines: a 1.4 L rated at 68 hp, a 1.6 L rated at 74 hp and a 112 hp turbocharged 1.6 L. Some smaller export markets also received a carb-fed 2.0 L rated at 110 hp.

The cars were given a mild facelift in 1983, and four-wheel drive was offered in 1984. The engine range was overhauled in 1985 to allow the cars to run on unleaded fuel, including the introduction of a 1.8 L engine in both 100 hp naturally-aspirated and 135 hp turbocharged form, before production was discontinued in 1990.