Mitsubishi Diamante -- Diamante Shines Like A Gem Among Japan Luxury Cars

Luxury cars from Japan are blooming like tulips in the spring, and the Diamante from Mitsubishi is the newest in the glittering bouquet.

Infiniti, Acura and Lexus have tested the waters of the luxury/performance class and found them inviting. Besides this entry from Mitsubishi, Mazda will have a luxury car in the near future.

Diamante, Spanish for diamond, is new from Mitsubishi, and it's a gem. It could well be the sleeper of 1991.

Named Car of the Year in Japan, the Diamante is priced to compete at the lower end of the luxury group.

It has the tangible qualities of luxury - quiet engine, no road noise, understated interior - mated with snappy performance and a smoothly polished exterior that hints of four-door-hardtop styling from the 1960s.

I was most impressed by its silence, and the smooth yet responsive ride. When driven hard, it reacted gracefully, with good road manners and an air of imperturability.

Underneath the sedan body is a fully independent suspension derived from the 3000GT sports car. The Diamante handles more like a sports sedan than luxo-tourer.

The well-tailored interior invokes subdued taste and refinement. The dashboard's simple yet elegant design is one of the best I have seen in a long time. What appear to be wood accents aren't, alas, but they are tolerable.

Built on a 107.1-inch wheelbase similar to a Honda Accord, the Diamante is nearly six inches longer and almost two inches wider. The Diamante's dimensions are within fractions of the Ford Taurus.

The base version I drove is powered by a 3-liter V-6 with a single-overhead camshaft. The 175 horsepower gave brisk acceleration, and it was relaxed on the highway. For those who want more power, the engine in the LS is a double-overhead camshaft, 24-valve version with 202 horsepower.

The LS also bristles with goodies like traction control and electronically controlled suspension that automatically raises and lowers the car for rough roads or high speeds. It also has anti-lock brakes and what Mitsubishi calls a Euro-Handling package.

A fully equipped LS, with electronic suspension, traction control and more horsepower, will top out around $28,000.

Surely the Diamante isn't all good, you might ask, and that's right. Rear seat leg-room is on the small side for adults, and with four adults riding in the car the engine's throttle response was a tad soft.

Given the price of the base model, the Diamante will be formidable competition to many mid-sized sedans that aren't as quiet or as smooth.

-- TEST DRIVE POLICY: Test drives are done by nationally recognized auto writers from Times' news services. Tom Strongman is with The Kansas City Star.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK

1992 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE Two- and four-door luxury sedan

ENGINE 3.0 liter V-6 12 or 24 valves fuel injection

DRIVE Front-wheel

TRANSMISSION 4-speed automatic

BASE PRICE $19,939

OBSERVATIONS

-- Two models Diamante and Diamante LS. LS features double overhead cam with 24 valves and 202 horsepower.

-- Standard equipment Driver's side air bag, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, digital clock, tilt steering wheel, speed-sensitive auto lock system and anti-theft system.

-- Dimensions Wheelbase 107.1 inches, overall length 190.2 inches, height 55.5 inches.

-- Options Alloy wheels, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, power glass roof with sunshade, audio system upgrades with steering-wheel mounted remote audio controls.