Mitsubishi Starion

Which Mitsubishi Starion version to buy

If you want the highest listed power, take a 2.0 at 180 hp / 132 kW — 2.0 AT (180 hp) or 2.0 MT (180 hp). That is 10 hp more than the 170 hp 2.0 cars (+5.9%) and 5 hp more than either 2.6.

If you want the highest listed power, take a 2.0 at 180 hp / 132 kW — 2.0 AT (180 hp) or 2.0 MT (180 hp). That is 10 hp more than the 170 hp 2.0 cars (+5.9%) and 5 hp more than either 2.6.

If you want the quickest measured 0–100 km/h and the highest measured top speed, take 2.6 MT: 7.7 s and 230 km/h. The only other timed car is 2.0 MT at 170 hp: 8.0 s and 220 km/h. The 2.6 MT is 0.3 s quicker and 10 km/h faster. 2.0 AT (170 hp), 2.0 AT (180 hp), 2.0 MT (180 hp), and 2.6 AT have 0–100 and top speed not measured.

If you want the only measured torque figure, take 2.6 AT: 313 Nm at 3000 rpm. Torque is not measured on the other five versions.

If you want the lightest listed kerb weight at the lowest listed fuel use, take 2.0 MT (170 hp): 1220 kg, 10.2 / 7 / 8.6 L/100 km (city / highway / mixed). 2.6 MT is the same 1220 kg kerb but uses more fuel (11.6 / 8 / 9.5). 2.6 AT is the heaviest listed car at 1340 kg — 120 kg more than 2.6 MT or 2.0 MT (170 hp). Kerb weight is not measured on both 2.0 AT cars and on 2.0 MT (180 hp).

If you want ground clearance of 160 mm instead of 155 mm, only 2.6 AT lists 160 mm. The other five list 155 mm.

If you want rear independent spring suspension and rear ventilated discs listed, only 2.6 AT has those fields filled (Independent, spring rear; Disc ventilated rear). On the other five, rear suspension and rear brakes are not measured.

There is one generation, so there is no later generation that “fixes” the first. Every version in this file runs 1985-08-01 to 1990-12-31. Choosing a version is not choosing a year range.

Specs: six versions side by side

Compression, bore × stroke, and engine placement are listed only on 2.6 AT: compression 7, 91.1 × 98, Front, longitudinal. Those three items are not measured on the other five versions.

Engine: 2.0 vs 2.6, 170 vs 180 hp

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres):

• 2.0 AT / 2.0 MT at 170 hp: 170 ÷ 2.0 = 85.0 hp/L
• 2.0 AT / 2.0 MT at 180 hp: 180 ÷ 2.0 = 90.0 hp/L
• 2.6 AT / 2.6 MT at 175 hp: 175 ÷ 2.555 ≈ 68.5 hp/L

The 2.0 at 180 hp is the most power-dense listed engine. The 2.6 is 555 cm³ larger (+27.75% vs 2000) but only 5 hp above the 170 hp 2.0 (−5 hp vs the 180 hp 2.0). You do not buy the 2.6 for peak horsepower; you buy it for displacement, the 313 Nm figure on 2.6 AT, and the 7.7 s / 230 km/h pair on 2.6 MT.

2.0 AT (170 hp) and 2.0 AT (180 hp) are the same name in the database. Distinguish them by power: 170 hp / 125 kW vs 180 hp / 132 kW. The same split applies to 2.0 MT (170 hp) vs 2.0 MT (180 hp). The extra 10 hp on the 2.0 is +5.9%. 0–100, top speed, consumption, and kerb weight for both 180 hp 2.0 cars are not measured, so the extra 10 hp is a listed output difference only — we cannot show what it does to time, speed, or fuel from this file.

2.6 AT is the only version with power rpm (5000), torque (313 Nm at 3000), 4 valves per cylinder, Front, longitudinal, compression 7, 91.1 × 98, and fuel 95. If you need those engine fields filled, 2.6 AT is the only complete engine card.

Performance and mpg (fuel use)

Measured 0–100 km/h:

• 2.6 MT: 7.7 s
• 2.0 MT (170 hp): 8 s
• 2.0 AT (170 hp), 2.0 AT (180 hp), 2.0 MT (180 hp), 2.6 AT: not measured

Measured top speed:

• 2.6 MT: 230 km/h
• 2.0 MT (170 hp): 220 km/h
• the other four: not measured

2.6 MT vs 2.0 MT (170 hp): −0.3 s to 100 km/h, +10 km/h top speed. That is the only pairwise performance comparison this file supports.

Measured consumption (L/100 km, city / highway / mixed):

• 2.0 MT (170 hp): 10.2 / 7 / 8.6
• 2.6 MT: 11.6 / 8 / 9.5
• the other four: not measured

2.6 MT uses +1.4 city, +1.0 highway, +0.9 mixed versus 2.0 MT (170 hp). On mixed use, 9.5 vs 8.6 is about +10.5%. Both tanks are 50 L. Range from mixed figures: 2.0 MT (170 hp) ≈ 50 ÷ 8.6 × 100 ≈ 581 km; 2.6 MT ≈ 50 ÷ 9.5 × 100 ≈ 526 km. Difference ≈ 55 km per tank on mixed. City range: 50 ÷ 10.2 ≈ 490 km vs 50 ÷ 11.6 ≈ 431 km. Highway: 50 ÷ 7 ≈ 714 km vs 50 ÷ 8 = 625 km.

CO2 and eco class: not measured on all six.

If mpg (fuel use) is the buying criterion and you only trust measured rows, 2.0 MT (170 hp) is the cheaper-to-run timed car. Automatics have consumption not measured — do not assume they match the manuals.

Dimensions, weight, tank

Payload where both weights exist: 1590 − 1220 = 370 kg on 2.0 MT (170 hp) and on 2.6 MT. Gross is not measured on 2.6 AT, so payload there is not measured. Wheel sizes are not measured on all six.

Weight per horsepower (kerb ÷ hp), where kerb exists:

• 2.0 MT (170 hp): 1220 ÷ 170 ≈ 7.18 kg/hp
• 2.6 MT: 1220 ÷ 175 ≈ 6.97 kg/hp (lightest kg per hp among measured kerbs)
• 2.6 AT: 1340 ÷ 175 ≈ 7.66 kg/hp (heaviest kg per hp)

2.6 AT is 120 kg heavier than 2.6 MT at the same 175 hp. That automatic is the only Starion here with 160 mm clearance (+5 mm vs 155). Chassis detail unique to 2.6 AT: rear Independent, spring and rear Disc ventilated. Front suspension and front brakes are the same listed type on all six (Independent, spring; Ventilated disc).

Generations: what changed (and what did not)

This catalogue lists 1 generation, 6 versions, body Hatchback 3-door, 1985-08-01 to 1990-12-31. There is no second generation in the data, so there is no “which generation to buy.” Every modification uses the same start and stop dates.

What varies inside that generation:

• 2.0 vs 2.6 displacement (2000 vs 2555)
• 170 / 180 hp on the 2.0; 175 hp on the 2.6
• Automatic, 4 vs Manual, 5
• measured times and mpg only on 2.0 MT (170 hp) and 2.6 MT
• measured torque, compression, bore × stroke, valves per cylinder, engine placement, fuel 95, 160 mm clearance, and rear chassis fields only on 2.6 AT
• kerb 1340 kg only on 2.6 AT; kerb 1220 kg on 2.0 MT (170 hp) and 2.6 MT

What does not vary in the file: RWD, Turbo, Gasoline, 4 / Inline, multi-point injection, 50 L tank, production window, body type.

Reliability and problems: what this file can and cannot say

This dataset has no failure rates, recall lists, or owner-problem counts. Reliability and “common problems” are not measured here. Do not treat silence as “no problems.”

What you can still use when buying:

• Manuals are the only versions with 0–100, top speed, and L/100 km filled — 2.0 MT (170 hp) and 2.6 MT. If you need documented performance and mpg, do not pick an automatic from this table and invent the missing rows.
• 2.6 AT is the only version with a full engine geometry card (compression 7, 91.1 × 98, 313 Nm). Compression 7 is a listed figure, not a reliability verdict.
• Two 2.0 AT and two 2.0 MT names exist. Match 170 vs 180 hp when you compare ads or parts, or you will mix two different outputs under one name.

Decision shortlist (using only these numbers)

1. Buy 2.6 MT if the goal is the best measured sprint and speed at the light 1220 kg kerb: 7.7 s, 230 km/h, 6.97 kg/hp. Cost versus 2.0 MT (170 hp): +1.4 / +1.0 / +0.9 L/100 km and about 55 km less mixed range on the same 50 L tank, for +5 hp, −0.3 s, +10 km/h. 2. Buy 2.0 MT (170 hp) if the goal is the lowest measured fuel use with a full performance row: 10.2 / 7 / 8.6, 8 s, 220 km/h, 1220 kg, 1590 kg gross, 370 kg payload. 3. Buy 2.0 MT (180 hp) if the goal is peak listed power with a Manual, 5: 180 hp / 132 kW, 90 hp/L. Accept that 0–100, top speed, mpg, kerb, and torque are not measured. 4. Buy 2.0 AT (180 hp) if you need Automatic, 4 and the highest hp. Same caveat: performance, mpg, and weights not measured. 2.0 AT (170 hp) is the same gearbox with 10 hp less and the same missing rows. 5. Buy 2.6 AT if you need the only 313 Nm, 160 mm clearance, 1340 kg kerb, rear Independent, spring, rear Disc ventilated, fuel 95, and the only Front, longitudinal / 4 valves-per-cylinder card. You give up 120 kg versus 2.6 MT and you get 0–100, top speed, mpg, and gross weight not measured.

Do not buy by generation — there is only 1 generation. Do not buy by body — every version is Hatchback 3-door. Do not buy by tank or drive — 50 L and RWD on all six.

Prices are not in this file; “what the extra money buys” here means what the extra 555 cm³, extra 10 hp, extra 120 kg, extra 5 mm clearance, or the automatic vs manual actually changes in the table — not what a dealer charges.