First Generation Diamante
The First Generation Diamante is equivelant to the second generation Magna and Verada. The first generation Diamante is the car upon which the second generation Magna/Verada is based.
The first generation Diamante came in three versions:
- Four-side window sedan: Unlike the Magna/Verada this Diamante did not have the rear quarter windows. The only side glass was that in the doors. All of these vehicles were built in Nagoya in Japan and were intended for the Japanese domestic market.
- Six-side window sedan: Much the same as the Second Generation Magna/Verada. Built in Australia.
- Wagon: Introduced in 1993, again the same as Magna/Verada and built in Australia.
Japanese Spec
The Japanese Spec Diamante was built from 1990 until 1995 and was available in front and all-wheel drive.
Front Wheel Drive
The Front Wheel drive Diamantes utilise McPherson front suspension with a multiple link arrangement in the rear. The rear suspension is also unlike the Magna/Verada, the Diamante being independent.
The FWD Diamante is available with a range of engines, some also with 5 speed manual in addition to 4 speed automatic transmission.
20E
The 20E is the base model Diamante. It has a Frame number of E-F11A. It comes with a 2.0 Litre 6G71 SOHC 24 valve V6 engine outputting 91 kW at 5500rpm and 172 Nm at 3500 rpm. It is available as both a 5 speed manual and 4 speed automatic.
Standard equipment includes power windows, rpm sensitive power steering, power mirrors, climate control and a 4 speaker AM/FM radio with cassette.
The 20E sits atop 195/70R14 tyres with steel rims.
Optional are a rear wiper and alloy wheels.
25E
The 25E has the same features as the 20E but replaces the 20E's 2.0 Litre engine with a 2.5 Litre unit. The 25E's 2.5 Litre 6G73 DOHC V6 engine, outputs 129 kW @ 6000 rpm and 222 Nm at 4500 rpm.
The 25E has a frame number of E-F13A.
25V
The next model in the tall Diamante model ladder is the 25V. The 25V is almost the same as the 25E, although is identified with a different frame number (E-F15A) It uses the same 2.5 Litre 6G73 DOHC V6 engine, outputting 129 kW @ 6000 rpm and 222 Nm at 4500 rpm. It is only available in 4-speed automatic.
The 25V has everything the 20E has with 205/65R15 tyres on alloy wheels, speed sensitive power steering, leather wrapped steering wheel and ventilated rear brake discs for maximum braking performance.
Optional is a rear wiper.
25V-SE
The 25V-SE is the top of the range 2.5 Litre Diamante variant. As with it's lower variants the 2.5 Litre 6G73 DOHC V6 engine is used. As with the 25V upon which it is based, it is only available as an automatic.
It features everything of the 25V and adds ABS, traction control and electric seats.
Optional is the rear wiper and leather interior.
It is identified by the same E-F17A frame number as the 25V.
30V
The 30V is the base 3.0 Litre FWD Diamante. It comes with a 3.0 Litre 6G72 DOHC V6 outputting 154 kW a 6000 rpm and 270 Nm at 3000 rpm. It is only available in automatic.
The 30V features everything of the 25V and adds cruise control, remote central locking traction control, 6 speaker AM/FM cassette player and traction control. Leather interior and rear wiper remain optional.
The frame number of the 30V is E-F17A.
30R
The 30R is the middle of the 3.0 Litre FWD Diamante range. It uses the 3.0 Litre 6G72 DOHC V6 outputting 154 kW a 6000 rpm and 270 Nm at 3000 rpm. As with all higher spec Diamantes it is available in automatic only.
Strangely the 30R, which sold for ï¿¥40,000 more than the 30V has everything of the 30V except traction control and ABS. It seems the only addition is a front spoiler.
The 30R is identified with the same E-F17A frame number.
30R-SE
The 30R-SE is the pinnacle of the FWD Diamante range. It uses the same 3.0 Litre V6 as the 30R/30V and again is automatic only.
The 30R-SE has everything of the 30V as well being lowered by 10mm with Active Electronic Control Suspension. It is also given the front spoiler of the 30R.
It also shares the frame number of E-F17A with the other two 30 FWDs.
AWD Variants
All-wheel drive Diamantes come in three models, the 25V 4WD, 30R 4WD and the flagship 30R SE 4WD. All have McPherson strut front suspension with double wishbones at the rear. Both front and rear brake discs are ventilated. The AWD Diamante sits 5mm lower than a standard FWD Diamante and has a 70 Litre fuel tank instead of the FWD's 72 Litre tank. All are available only as 4 speed automatic.
25V 4WD
The 25V 4WD is the entry level Diamante with AWD. It has a frame number of E-F25A.
The 25V comes with a 2.5 Litre 6G73 DOHC V6 engine, outputting 129 kW @ 6000 rpm and 222 Nm at 4500 rpm.
Standard equipment includes speed sensing power steering, power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, leather steering wheel, alloy wheels, remote central locking, climate control and a 4 speaker AM/FM radio with cassette plater. Optional is full leather interior and a rear wiper.
30R 4WD
The 30R 4WD is the middle of the AWD Diamante range. It has a frame number of E-F27A.
Instead of the 2.5 Litre engine in the 25V, the 30R comes with a 3.0 Litre 6G72 DOHC V6 outputting 154 kW a 6000 rpm and 270 Nm at 3000 rpm.
It features everything of the 25V and adds remote central locking, power seats, ABS and 215/60R15 tyres instead of the 205/65R15s on the 25V.
30R-SE 4WD
The 30R-SE 4WD is the flagship of the Diamante range. It has the frame number of E-F27A as it is the same basic vehicle as the 30R.
The only difference between the 30R-SE and 30R is the addition of a CD player.
Australian Specification
The Australian built Diamantes all had six-side windows (one in each door and one in the rear pillar) and includes station wagons. These were exported around the world after 1992.
All Australian Diamantes had multi-link rear suspension, unlike it's Magna/Verada sister.
Diamantes in the U.S.
Mitsubishi Motors North America seemed to have sourced their Diamantes from both Australia and Japan. It was available in two trim levels, both front-wheel drive and automatic only.
ES
The ES corresponds roughly to the Ei Verada. It uses the 12 valve 6G72 SOHC 3.0 Litre V6, same as the Magna/Verada of the time.
Standard equipment includes central locking, driver's airbag, power windows and power mirrors. Optional is ABS, cruise control, alloys and sunroof.
When the Diamante was facelifted in 1994, the ES received passenger side airbag and cruise control as standard.
LS
The LS corresponds roughly to the Xi Verada. It uses a 6G72 DOHC 3.0 Litre V6 engine.
The LS comes with everything of the ES and adds alloy wheels, cruise control and ABS to the standard equipment list. A manual sunroof and leather was also optional.
As with the ES, when facelifted in 1994, the feature list changed. The manual sunroof was deleted from the option list and replaced with CD Player, traction control and power suntood. A passenger side airbag became standard.
