Test Drive Mitsubishi Diamante 1996 - 2004

Diamonds from legend

In the world of cars, as in the world of people, there are legends and myths. For one of them, the Japanese had bitten, releaseing in the mid-90s sedans Mitsubishi Diamante and Honda Legend
 
pRESIDENTS CLASS CLASS must have a classical layout, that is, the rear drive. We think that at the end of the twentieth century, such allegations are deprived of sufficient grounds. This kind of myths are beneficial only to those who have mastered a certain niche in the automotive market and trying to protect it from competitors with all the ways and ways. Recognized authorities in the production of full-size sedans of the highest class began to be subjected to attacks from the country of the rising sun. The beginning was put in the United States, the luxury versions of Toyot, Nissanov and Honda, under the trademarks Lexus, Infiniti and Acura, were revealed to the market in the first half of the 1990s. The sample of the pen was successful, and it seemed that the new stage of the creeping aggression of the Japanese went. Full-sized top-end sedans with front-wheel drive began to master new markets. These cars could be classified as border between average and luxury class. And here in terms of sales, the Japanese achieved explicit success.
Classic cut. Despite the fact that both of these cars belong to the same class, they do not have to speak about the external similarity. Classic Legend Opports contrast with the predatory appearance of Diamante. The beveled angle of the front with integrated headlights integrated into them, smooth hood and the hollow windshield partly give Diamante similarity with a sports compartment. Add here close to the hemisphere roof and the lack of the door glass frames will be almost complete.
Legend is slightly conservative. But in old-fashioned it is impossible to reproach it. External conservatism gives him that element of the solidity, which a little lack of Diamante.
The leather interior of both machines is decorated with inserts imitating a nut tree. In the Legend finish, the creators stuck somewhat on this material, in Diamante it is presented much more generously. But still Hondovsky quality, perhaps, will be higher. The nut appeared to us more natural, although perhaps this is subjective
The difference in the length of the base and external dimensions in favor of Legend. From this point of view, Honda is more oriented on the passenger of the rear seat. For him, a huge armrest with a box for trifles and, of course, a double cup holder. Although the driver also did not forget: the upper part of the central console between the seats is raised by a centimeter on four excellent support for the right elbow in a long road.
Many of the consumers of representative cars are not inclined to originate and prefer classic forms. Here on them, and above all in the old world, and legend of the third generation aimed. And Diamante is supplied while the North American market is available, and there, as you know, there are somewhat different tastes.
The position obliges. The car of this class is unthinkable without a certain gentleman dialing. Cruise control, leather, climate control with wound air filter and two modes, heated seats, heating outdoor mirrors, two-position hatch, full electric car, built-in BOSE or Infinity audio system with CD and eight speakers ... it's all about it goes without saying .
In the standard LEGEND package, among other things, the electric drive of the two-position adjustment of the steering column is included. The passenger seat is also equipped with an electric drive. There is a memory for two positions of the driver's seat and the steering wheel, and when the ignition is turned off, the steering wheel is moving away from the driver, facilitating the output. Earlier, this was found unless in Jaguar or the 140th body. And in 1999, the automatically darkened intra-alone mirror and the ominous xenon headlights are also added.
In Diamante, a slightly different setting. There is something that is the most automatic mirror, but only the driver's seat is equipped with electrical adjustments and memory, the steering column is adjusted mechanically and only in the vertical plane. But the trip-computer showed that reports the information about the run, the turn of the fuel, the average consumption and average speed.
And Diamante has a useful, probably someone's thing: this is the so-called Home Link System. With the help of an appliance mounted in the ceiling, you can, without leaving the car, open the gate of your villa, to include light in it, etc. So if you have it all boldly acquire Diamante ... But if there is also a numerous servant that will perform all the above-mentioned actions then you can already pay attention to Legend.
Diamonds forever. Engines that are completed Legend and Diamante are similar to the twins brothers. The difference in about five horses on the road is absolutely immatched. Designers who created Legend came out a little power, but they won in the torque. This motor gives its maximum value to a record low for this type of turnover engine only 2800. Hondovsky engineers managed to achieve such results by applying the principle of the variable geometry of the intake manifold on this motor.
Diamante has already familiar to us by Mitsubishi Pajero with a 3.5-liter 6G74 engine. According to the characteristics, almost similar to Hondovsky. Balanced, almost silent and very reliable. The maximum torque accounts for 3000 rpm. Is the difference?
Honda is famous for its motors, and the LEGEND engine is not an exception to the rule. From the existing analogs, it is recognized as one of the most quiet and balanced motors. It is absolutely no noise and vibrations or not, it is possible to determine from the salon only by tachometer.
Powerful, confident, but at the same time, the soft dynamics of Legend delivers the present pleasure. With its dimensions, the car is easily controlled, has excellent maneuverability. The suspension, as applies to the class, is very comfortable, but still there is a pleasant sports raisin in it. The present character Legend manifests itself at high speed on the highway, and the higher the speed, the more distinct the features of a comfortable limousine, confidently and firmly standing on the road.
Legend is equipped only with automatic transmission with the adaptation system to the GRADE Logic Control Road Conditions. When dumping the gas, it provides braking by the engine, and also supports the stable vehicle speed, swinging the transmission itself below or higher. Summary simplified cruise control option. After all, the road situation does not always allow it to be included. Nevertheless, this machine disappointed a little. No, there is no speech about the notorious thoughtfulness, but some inertia is present, especially in kick-down mode. What, however, is partly compensated by a box device that allows you to overclock the manual switching mode from the second to the fourth transmission and vice versa, help the engine braking.
With Diamante, such tricks do not pass. It establishes the unique development of Mitsubishi Adaptive PPC Invecs-II, the essence of which in the ability to adapt to the driving style. Purely subjectively the impression remains that the PPC Diamante works a little more vigorously. But this difference is difficult forcing.
In general, on behavior he is closer to typical American asphalt lincoram. It does not mean that the steering wheel is worse, keeps the road or something like that. Just his reactions are somewhat different, which is due to a completely different suspension scheme and, in all likelihood, the setting of it for the American tastes. Although controllability, course stability and the chain, with which Diamante is kept behind the road, deserve all silence, there is some excessive belligea.
In any case, both cars are equally able to delight both someone who prefers to keep the steering wheel in their hands and the one who else attracts the passive role of the passenger.
 
Text Andrei Timofeev, photo Alexey Ilyin
 

A source: "Autopilot"