When you're shopping in this market, what you want is luxury touches
coupled with sporty handling and plentiful power, all wrapped in a conservative
but stylish package.
We'd say the new Diamante is right on target. The new shape is smoother
and more contemporary than its slightly dowdy predecessor, a look that
resembles recent offerings from upscale BMW lines.
The Diamante looks aerodynamic and it is. Mitusubishi wind tunnel tests
show an exemplary drag coefficient of 0.28. That's considerably lower than
most competing sedans, which usually list figures around 0.32. This contributes
to respectable fuel economy numbers--18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway--as
well as quiet operation.
Reducing the overall weight of the car by an astounding 300 pounds also
contributes to fuel economy, as well as improved performance. This was
accomplished by increasing the amount of aluminum in the chassis. Even
more impressive, Mitsubishi achieved its weight reductions while simultaneously
expanding the car's dimensions and improving chassis rigidity.
Stylists gave the front end a vee-shaped grille and integrated it into
the molded front bumper to give Diamante its own distinctive face. The
frameless side glass allows the eye to travel along the side of the car
without interruption.
The generous trunk has a squared off, rather sassy look that also contributes
to the commodious interior. Perhaps Mitsubishi will add an interior cargo
net next year to help secure grocery bags and make it easier to retrieve
the wandering grapefruit. An accessible yet unobtrusive space has been
made for the optional 10-stack CD player and this, plus a trunk liner mat,
added $758 to the cost of our test car.
The Diamante offers a choice of models, either the well equipped base
ES or the even better equipped LS. Since both models are mechanically identical,
the differences are in trim details. For example, the ES comes standard
with a cloth interior, while the LS has leather. The ES is equipped with
15-inch aluminum alloy wheels and tires, while the LS travels on 16-inch
bright-finished wheels. Both models feature four-wheel disc brakes, with
antilock available as an option. Our test car's ABS system was baked into
a $2561 Luxury Convenience Group option package which also included an
eight-speaker Infinity upgrade audio system, keyless remote entry, a driver
info display, a child restraint seat and a Homelink System.
Standard creature features abound in both models, which contributes
significantly to the Diamante's value story. The basic ES, for example,
includes automatic climate control, an AM/FM/cassette sound system and
power windows, mirrors and door locks in its purchase price--$30,460, including
a $470 destination charge.
In keeping with the sporty image, the up front seating offers supportive,
yet very comfortable, buckets. The center console houses the shifter, emergency
brake, mandatory cup holders and storage for small items. Both models have
illuminated vanity mirrors in both of the visors. However, speaking of
visors, we were a little surprised to note the absence of extension panels
to keep the sun from sneaking around a lone visor and zapping the driver
right in the eyes. It's a small omission, but it seems inconsistent with
the Diamante's otherwise high standard content.
The Diamante, like all cars in this class, has plenty of space up front
for legs, hips, elbows, shoulders and head. Thanks to its increased size,
it also measures up well in rear seat space, although here the dimensions
rate as average. Child-seat anchors are standard on all Diamantes, and
an integrated child safety seat is available as an option. Diamante is
one of the few cars to provide a three-point seat belt/shoulder harness
for the middle passenger in the back seat.
A peek inside the glovebox brought forth the owners manual which was
a pleasant surprise. It seems exceptionally well organized and quite readable
compared to some from other manufacturers, which are so filled with attorney-driven dialogue as to be nearly useless.
The engineers and product planners decided not to confuse the issue
with powertrain or driveline options. They simply offer their best effort,
a 3.5-liter V6 which produces 210 hp at 5000 rpm and enough low end torque
to make for easy departure from a standing start. This is essentially the
same V6 that propels the much heavier Montero sport-utility, and it yields smooth, respectable
punch harnessed to the much lighter Diamante.
The V6 is paired with an exceptionally smooth-shifting four-speed automatic
transmission that includes Mitsubishi's Adaptive Transmission Control Management
(ATCM). What this means is that the transmission's computer controls are
capable of electronically learning the driver's style and modifying the
shifting strategy to gain optimal performance and fuel efficiency as well
as smooth power transitions.
Lifting the hood reveals a tidy, well laid-out engine compartment--as
long as it's daylight. Night inspections could be a problem, however, since
there's no light under there, another small but puzzling omission. It seems
even more inconsistent in contrast with the thoughtful battery housing,
which is completely encased. It isn't often that a battery actually blows
up, but they do sometimes ooze acid at the posts and with this approach,
the engine compartment is completely protected from that caustic substance.
While the ride is soft and compliant enough to please luxury car passengers,
the suspension is stout enough and responsive enough to be able to handle
twisty-turny roads competently. Although the Diamante's overall dynamics
are skewed in favor of comfort, the feel is firm, controlled and contemporary.
And braking performance is consistent with other cars in this class.
Vision is good from the driver's seat, too--no big blind spots to hinder
or annoy. And with controls and gauges well placed, the car feels comfortable
and pleasureable to drive as well as responsive.