Mitsubishi Debonair: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Mitsubishi Debonair choice comes down to two well-documented generations of Sedan specifications. The second generation ran from September 1986 through September 1992 and contains six listed versions, while the third generation ran from October 1992 through October 1999 and contains three. Every documented version is Gasoline-powered, uses an Automatic gearbox with 4 gears, and has FWD.
The Mitsubishi Debonair choice comes down to two well-documented generations of Sedan specifications. The second generation ran from September 1986 through September 1992 and contains six listed versions, while the third generation ran from October 1992 through October 1999 and contains three. Every documented version is Gasoline-powered, uses an Automatic gearbox with 4 gears, and has FWD. For maximum output, choose the third-generation 3.5 AT with 260 hp and 324 Nm. For the lowest documented kerb weight, consider the second-generation 2.0 AT with 105 hp and 1,370 kg. The first generation ran from January 1964 through September 1973, followed by its first restyling from October 1973 through August 1986, but no modification-level specifications are supplied for either period.
Mitsubishi Debonair generations: what changed?
The first-generation Mitsubishi Debonair was a Sedan produced from January 1964 through September 1973. Its first restyling continued from October 1973 through August 1986. Neither phase has a listed version, so its engine, performance, economy, weight, clearance, tank and wheel specifications are all not measured. That prevents a numerical buying comparison with the later cars.
The second-generation Sedan ran from September 1986 through September 1992 and has six listed versions. Their individual specification periods run from October 1989 through September 1992. The range comprises three 2.0 AT entries with 105, 120 and 150 hp, plus three 3.0 AT entries producing 155, 200 and 210 hp. It offers outputs from 105 to 210 hp, torque from 158 to 275 Nm and kerb weights from 1,370 to 1,650 kg. Most versions have 170 mm of ground clearance, although the 200 hp 3.0 AT has 160 mm and the 210 hp 3.0 AT has 165 mm.
The third-generation Sedan ran from October 1992 through October 1999 and has three listed versions: two 3.0 AT alternatives with 150 or 170 hp and a 3.5 AT with 260 hp. Compared with the strongest second-generation 3.0 AT, the third-generation 3.5 AT adds 50 hp and 49 Nm. All three third-generation versions have independent spring suspension at both ends, ventilated disc brakes at both ends, a 72-litre tank and 165 mm of ground clearance.
Mitsubishi Debonair engine and specs
Because several versions share an identical database name, power is included beside every repeated name.
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 105 hp | 105 hp | 158 Nm | 1,998 cc | 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 120 hp | 120 hp | 171 Nm | 1,998 cc | 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 150 hp | 150 hp | 221 Nm | 1,998 cc | 92 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation 3.0 AT, 155 hp | 155 hp | 235 Nm | 2,972 cc | 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation 3.0 AT, 200 hp | 200 hp | 264 Nm | 2,972 cc | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation 3.0 AT, 210 hp | 210 hp | 275 Nm | 2,972 cc | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Third generation 3.0 AT, 150 hp | 150 hp | 226 Nm | 2,972 cc | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Third generation 3.0 AT, 170 hp | 170 hp | 248 Nm | 2,972 cc | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Third generation 3.5 AT, 260 hp | 260 hp | 324 Nm | 3,496 cc | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
The second-generation 2.0 AT with 150 hp is the only Compressor version in the supplied specifications. It makes 45 hp and 63 Nm more than the 105 hp 2.0 AT, despite sharing its 1,998 cc displacement. Its specific output is about 75.1 hp per litre, compared with about 52.6 hp per litre for the 105 hp version and about 60.1 hp per litre for the 120 hp version.
Among the naturally aspirated second-generation 3.0 AT choices, output rises from 155 to 200 and then 210 hp. The 210 hp version provides 55 hp and 40 Nm more than the 155 hp version without increasing the 2,972 cc displacement. The 200 hp and 210 hp versions require fuel labelled 95, whereas the 155 hp version uses 92.
The third-generation 3.0 AT alternatives share a 2,972 cc displacement but differ by 20 hp and 22 Nm. The 170 hp car develops its 248 Nm at 3,000 rpm, while the 150 hp car produces 226 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The 3.5 AT moves to 3,496 cc and delivers 90 hp and 76 Nm more than the 170 hp 3.0 AT. Its specific output is about 74.4 hp per litre, versus about 57.2 hp per litre for the 170 hp 3.0 AT.
Mitsubishi Debonair performance and fuel economy
Only the third-generation 3.0 AT with 170 hp and 3.5 AT with 260 hp have measured acceleration, top-speed and consumption figures. Every performance or economy value for the remaining listed versions is not measured.
| Generation and exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 105 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 120 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 150 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.0 AT, 155 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.0 AT, 200 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 3.0 AT, 210 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Third generation 3.0 AT, 150 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Third generation 3.0 AT, 170 hp | 11 seconds | 198 km/h | 11.7 | 8.8 | 10 |
| Third generation 3.5 AT, 260 hp | 10.2 seconds | 215 km/h | 12.5 | 9.6 | 10.8 |
Choosing the 3.5 AT over the measured 170 hp 3.0 AT reduces the 0–100 km/h time by 0.8 seconds and raises top speed by 17 km/h. The trade-off is an additional 0.8 in city, highway and combined consumption alike. These are the only versions for which that performance-versus-consumption comparison can be made from the supplied measurements.
Mitsubishi Debonair dimensions, weight and running specifications
Overall exterior dimensions and wheel sizes are not measured for every listed version. Gross weight is also not measured throughout the range. Kerb weight, clearance and tank capacity provide the usable numerical comparison.
| Generation and exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 105 hp | 1,370 kg | not measured | 170 mm | 72 L | not measured |
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 120 hp | 1,410 kg | not measured | 170 mm | 72 L | not measured |
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 150 hp | 1,480 kg | not measured | 170 mm | 72 L | not measured |
| Second generation 3.0 AT, 155 hp | 1,460 kg | not measured | 170 mm | 72 L | not measured |
| Second generation 3.0 AT, 200 hp | 1,620 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 72 L | not measured |
| Second generation 3.0 AT, 210 hp | 1,650 kg | not measured | 165 mm | 72 L | not measured |
| Third generation 3.0 AT, 150 hp | not measured | not measured | 165 mm | 72 L | not measured |
| Third generation 3.0 AT, 170 hp | 1,590 kg | not measured | 165 mm | 72 L | not measured |
| Third generation 3.5 AT, 260 hp | 1,780 kg | not measured | 165 mm | 72 L | not measured |
The 105 hp second-generation 2.0 AT carries about 13.0 kg per horsepower. That falls to about 11.8 kg per horsepower for the 120 hp 2.0 AT and about 9.9 kg per horsepower for the Compressor 150 hp 2.0 AT. The second-generation 3.0 AT alternatives work out at about 9.4, 8.1 and 7.9 kg per horsepower for the 155, 200 and 210 hp versions respectively.
For third-generation cars with measured kerb weight, the 170 hp 3.0 AT carries about 9.4 kg per horsepower, while the 260 hp 3.5 AT carries about 6.8 kg per horsepower. Although the 3.5 AT weighs 190 kg more, its additional 90 hp produces the strongest power-to-weight result among versions with available weights.
Which Mitsubishi Debonair version should you buy?
Choose the second-generation 2.0 AT with 105 hp if the priority is the lowest documented kerb weight and fuel labelled 92. It weighs 1,370 kg and has 170 mm of clearance, but acceleration, maximum speed and fuel consumption are not measured.
Choose the second-generation 2.0 AT with 150 hp if you want the Compressor engine. It produces 221 Nm, adds 45 hp over the 105 hp 2.0 AT and retains 170 mm of clearance. At 1,480 kg, it is also 140 kg lighter than the second-generation 3.0 AT with 200 hp, though the larger engine supplies another 50 hp and 43 Nm.
Choose the second-generation 3.0 AT with 210 hp if you want the strongest second-generation specification. It has 10 hp and 11 Nm more than the 200 hp 3.0 AT, while weighing 30 kg more. Its 165 mm clearance is 5 mm greater than the 200 hp version’s figure, but its performance and consumption are not measured.
Choose the third-generation 3.0 AT with 170 hp when measured economy matters more than maximum output. It records 10 combined consumption, compared with 10.8 for the 3.5 AT, and it weighs 190 kg less. It is nevertheless 0.8 seconds slower to 100 km/h and has a top speed 17 km/h lower.
Choose the third-generation 3.5 AT with 260 hp for the strongest measured performance. Its 324 Nm is the highest torque figure in the supplied range, its 10.2-second acceleration is the quickest measured result, and its 215 km/h maximum is the highest measured speed. The cost cannot be compared because prices and sale listings are not provided. Reliability, problems and interior equipment are likewise not measured, so they cannot support a version recommendation here.