Mitsubishi Cordia

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Mitsubishi Cordia

Manufacturer:	Mitsubishi Motors
Production:	1982–1990
Class:	Compact
Body style:	3-door coupé hatchback
Engine:	4G12T 1.4 L 4G32 1.6 L 4G32T 1.6 L turbo 4G62 1.8 L 4G62T 1.8 L turbo 4G63 2.0 L
Transmission:	5-speed manual 4-speed auto
Wheelbase:	2445 mm
Length:	4275 mm
Width:	1660 mm
Height:	1320 mm
Curb weight:	960 kg
Related:	Mitsubishi Tredia

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.

[edit] Safety

The Mitsubishi Cordia manufactured between 1983-1987 was assessed in the Australian Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "significantly worse than average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash.[1]