Yes, I have really gone there. I’m actually writing an article about the famed Diamond Star Motors automobiles: the Eagle Talon, Mitsubishi Eclipse, and Plymouth Laser. What’s more is that once you start reading this article you’re going to think that I’ve really fallen off the deep-end. Don’t worry, there’s a method to my madness.
In the early 1990s the automotive industry was beginning to experience a bit of a sporty rebirth thanks, largely, to import manufacturers. Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and Mitsubishi began releasing cars that were fun, relatively inexpensive, and powerful. Not only that, but these cars were stylish. The trend of boxy, ugly cars was fading and instead the automotive public was greeted to a slough of sleek, sexy automobiles that looked the part.
The “looks” part of the sports car formula had finally been revisited and paid its proper respects.
What was “Diamond Star Motors”?
Diamond Star Motors (DSM) was a joint effort between Mitsubishi and Chrysler. The purpose of this venture was to produce a vehicle that was lightweight, fast, and would gain adoption by the general public. The only vehicles to be produced by Diamond Star Motors were the Eagle Talon, Mitsubishi Eclipse, and the Plymouth Laser. These vehicles today affectionately known as “DSMs”.
The main appeal of these vehicles was their platform: a three door liftback, with an optional turbocharger and optional all-wheel-drive. The 1990 – 1994 DSMs could be had with one of two engines: a non-turbo 4G63, a Mitsubishi-made 2.0L four cylinder, which produced 135 horsepower, or a turbocharged version of the that same engine (the 4G63T) that produced 195 horsepower (thanks to 11 psi of boost from the 14b turbo).
1995 – 1998 DSMs received a few minor updates: the turbocharged variant of the engine now produced 210 horsepower (205 horsepower if using an automatic transmission), and the non-turbo engine was replaced by the 420A, a 2.0L four cylinder engine sourced from Chrysler that produced 140 horsepower.
These cars, and this is especially true of the turbocharged all-wheel-drive versions, become enthusiast treasures, and icons of what import tuning would eventually become.
The Main Appeal of a DSM
If being turbocharged and all-wheel-drive isn’t enough to excite you, perhaps it is the incredible tuning capability of these cars that will do it. The 4G63T is iconic in that it can build and maintain high levels of reliable horsepower. The running joke in the DSM community is that “anyone can hackjob their way into the 12’s with a turbo AWD car”. While looked down upon by true enthusiasts, the fact remains that that poorly modifying these cars still yields impressive results.
This is due, largely, to the turbocharged nature of the engine. Up the boost, up the power. While the 14b that was stock is a very small turbo, it is easy to switch it out for a larger, more capable turbocharger and enjoy the increased horsepower and torque almost immediately. In fact, something as simple as adding a free-flowing exhaust and an Evo III 16G turbo (for around $1,000 total) can yield as much as 40 whp. Adding a clutch to the mix won’t increase horsepower, but it will take the car from 14.8 seconds in the quarter (stock) to the mid-high 13’s, and all for under $1,500.
I’m sure you’re probably beginning to see why there are so many of these cars still on the road and why, after being out of production for nearly 10 years, DSMs are still as sought after and as popular as ever. For the “working man” who wants to build a 12 second hotrod, it can be done for under $15,000, including the price of the car.
Why We’re Highlighting the DSM
I own a 1995 Eagle Talon TSi AWD (pictured below), and I can honestly say that it’s one of the most entertaining vehicles I’ve ever owned (aside from my 1991 Toyota MR2 turbo). Try as I might, I can’t maintain more than a split second of wheel spin before my head is thrust into the headrest and I am careening down the road at increasingly higher velocities.
Winter + Snow = dirty car.
But that’s beside the point. We’re mentioning the DSM today because it truly is a sports car. In fact, in the mid-late 90’s, it may have been Chrysler’s only real sports car. It handled well, stopped well, and accelerated well, even if the car was left in stock form. It’s timeless looks (especially the 1992 – 1994 “2GB” version) still look modern and attractive, and there’s no denying the utility that comes with having all-wheel-drive (especially if you live somewhere that snow happens to frequent every now and again).
Not only that, but there’s also the fact that manufacturers have recently began creating vehicles that are similar in nature. Subaru has the venerable WRX STI, Mitsubishi has its EVO, and even Mazda has the MazdaSpeed6. All of these cars have turbochargers and all-wheel-drive, putting them in the same league as the 1990 – 1998 DSM.
The next time you’re on the street, don’t be surprised if some “punk kid” in a 1995 Eagle Talon whomps you when he floors it. These cars are the ultimate sleepers, and anybody who’s willing to put in the wrench time can make them 11 or 12 second cars. You have been warned 
COME ON DUDE. YOU GOT TO UPDATE MORE OFTEN.
‘The timeless look’ of the 92-94 DSM’s are actually referred to as 1GB version, not 2GB.