Test drive Mitsubishi Diamante 1996 - 2004
A fourth diamond
The top three Japanese automakers - Toyota, Honda and Nissan - in due time together to establish a separate brand for its luxury models (Lexus, Acura and Infiniti respectively). For the second-tier companies - Mitsubishi, Mazda, and the more Subaru - to follow suit sense was not: not the scale. However, this does not mean that their schemes there are no high-end machines ... Car Mitsubishi is well known in Russia. Unlike other markets, in our country, the company occupies a leading position in terms of sales. A phenomenon difficult to explain, but the fact remains. Of course, the main merit of this - Pajero SUV, but other Mitsubishi models in harsh Russian conditions have a reputation for reliable and hardy. In addition, the company on the Russian market behaves rather actively, without delay updating the model range. He recently added business-class sedan Mitsubishi Diamante. It is noteworthy that this car in Europe is not officially available. And in Russia - please.
The first generation Diamante debuted in 1989. The current second in a row - in 1996 the small volume of the issue, and has not had time to become familiar pattern - a rare motorist saw Diamante in the transport stream will immediately recognize this machine. Nevertheless, the car belonging to the Mitsubishi range can be defined, for example, in such a family trait, as a decorative facing grille or the shape of the rear lights. Who do not understand will help solve the problem of three-diamond Mitsubishi emblem ...
Machine looks stylish and solidly. The elongated rear end in some angles it looks hard, but overall gives the silhouette of the power and swiftness. Long stay car prototype in the wind tunnel was not in vain - Diamante resistance coefficient (0.28) may be the envy of other sports cars.
The driver's door looks massive but served surprisingly easily, revealing a wide opening. glass frame missing - frequent solution in Japanese sedans decent class. Salon - at the level. Comfortable, moderately rigid bucket seats are covered with skin, as well as a torpedo, made in the branded Mitsubishi - with a characteristic visor over the instrument combination. The devices are not visible, but we keep calm - they will appear when the ignition is turned on, with this focus it was already encountered on the Galant model.
Internal door panels are also fully covered with skin. The driver's door armrest is literally padded with keys and buttons - windows control, door locks and glasses, adjusting the outer mirrors, the memory of the seat settings. Below the armrest next to the pocket for the little things are the buttons for the remote opening of the trunk and the fuel tank of the gas tank.
The driver's seat is adjusted by electromotors, simply and clearly managed by keys, which are located on the sidewall pillows. You can ride back and forth and up-down, while the range of longitudinal movement was so great that I was forced to return closer to the steering wheel - and this is with my more than two-meter growth. The steering column is adjustable to the angle of inclination, the leather-skinned ram is almost the same as on other Mitsubishi models, with whom we had to meet. At the bottom edge of the steering wheel hub lining - the control buttons of some functions of the stereo system, but they were not too convenient on the go to use them.
The selector lever of the automatic box is pleasant in gripping and is located exactly in the right place, to the left of him, in the gallant style, the lever of the parking brake. And, of course, it was not without drawing cup holders.
A special interest was manifested to the rear seat, since the Diamante wheelbase (2720 mm) on average per 100 mm is shorter than most classmates. Nevertheless, there was enough space there is enough - for two, threesome are already closed. The trunk is quite spacious, but skiing in this car will not transport - the back of the rear seat does not have the ability to skip long loads into the cabin. But the trunk lid rises almost vertically - convenient when loading-unloading.
Look under the hood. In the engine compartment - transversely installed 3.5 liter 24-valve V6 engine. Motor develops power 208 hp (5000 rpm) and torque 300 nm (3000 rpm). Drive - on the front wheels, however, there is a all-wheel drive version of Diamante. The suspension of all wheels independent on the transverse levers, while the upper lever is real, and the lower formed by a combination of longitudinal and transverse thrust. Both front and rear suspension are mounted on subframes that are attached to the body through vibrating absorbing gaskets. Disk brakes ventilated on all wheels, it goes without saying, there is an ABS.
Turn the key in the ignition lock - the devices come to life. The intensity of their glow can be adjusted, with the onset of darkness and the inclusion of outdoor lighting it automatically decreases. The speedometer is digitized in miles, which gives American destination Diamante. But there are kilometers familiar to us per hour, smaller.
It should be noted that the glowing combination of devices is in itself a danger - at night you can forget to turn on the dimensions, that the car goes like a pirate, without lights, only the lack of illuminating the pointer of the box lever.
I leave the parking lot - leisurely make your way to goal. The engine is almost not heard, no vibrations. The hydraulic power steering with its work copes on perfectly. On this car, as it turned out, a four-stage box is installed. Motor readers are familiar with the five-speed transmission of Invecs-II, which is now widely used on Mitsubishi cars. It is installed on Diamante, but in this case you will have to be content with four transmissions.
I must say that the adaptive automatic machine Invecs-II was very liked at one time, especially when it was combined with good engineering machine. Curb Mass Diamante - 1550 kg, and with the Invecs-II box, the car would certainly show excellent dynamics, but it turned out that he accelerates the old good machine. As a result, there is confidence in the car and the desire to move on elevated colors. The engine is not at all against such rotation of the events. It demonstrates a boat power supply and enviable elasticity, which allows the box not to annoy frequent switches, though, it should be noted, they occur almost unnoticed. Steering with increasing speed becomes noticeable sharper. Speaking about the dynamics, it will be worthwhile to praise the brake system for a good job - it is possible to accelerate on Diamante, you can not let the brakes.
The suspension surprised - not too soft, like typical Americans, but also in Europe, you can't call it hard. She does not allow swinging on long gentle waves and at the same time perfectly copes with small irregularities with a sharp drop of heights - type of holes in asphalt or hatches. The suspension does not make your way, does not knock when the wheels are taken, it is the impression that the car will not even be afraid of a rake on a paving. American suspension with a European accent - just for our roads.
The fact that the suspension Diamante is designed competently, even more convinced the behavior of the car in turns and its handling. Rolls are in full of acceptable borders, the car perfectly holds a given arc motion trajectory and the steering wheel is well. Paradox - business class car behaves much more sporting than many more earthly cars! But it is not quite true in this case to use the resulting wolf in sheep skins. Diamante, rather, a well-educated wolf in a suit from Armani ...
That is the fourth diamond - the crown model range of Mitsubishi passenger cars. It remains only to regret that few people know about his existence. This rather extraordinary car has an impressive set of qualities inherent in the best business class representatives, while the proud definition of the car for the driver is also suitable - neither passengers, nor the one who behind the wheel will not be disappointed.
Sergey Ivanov
A source: Motor magazine
