Chrysler Conquest TSi Turbo

Chrysler Conquest TSi Turbo

The Chrysler Conquest TSi stands as one of the more unusual products of the Chrysler-Mitsubishi business relationship that defined much of Chrysler's survival strategy during the 1980s. Essentially a rebadged Mitsubishi Starion ESI-R with Chrysler pentastar badges replacing the three-diamond Mitsubishi logos, the Conquest was sold through Chrysler dealerships to customers who might not otherwise consider walking into a Japanese car showroom.

The TSi, standing for Turbo Sport Injection, was powered by Mitsubishi's 2.6-liter G54B turbocharged four-cylinder engine, known as the Astron series, producing 188 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque. For 1987 and later models, the engine received an intercooler that improved both power delivery and reliability compared to the earlier non-intercooled Starion. The turbocharger was a Mitsubishi TD05 unit that provided strong mid-range boost with manageable lag by the standards of 1980s turbo technology.

What made the Conquest TSi particularly noteworthy was its configuration: rear-wheel drive, turbocharged, with a limited-slip differential and a proper five-speed manual gearbox from Getrag. In an era when Chrysler's own lineup consisted almost entirely of K-car-derived front-wheel-drive vehicles, the Conquest offered a driving experience that was fundamentally different from anything else bearing the Chrysler name. The rear-drive layout gave the car predictable, balanced handling characteristics that rewarded experienced drivers.

The wide-body styling of the post-1986 models was the car's most striking visual element. Dramatically flared fenders covered wider wheels and tires, giving the Conquest a muscular, aggressive stance that drew obvious inspiration from the Group A touring car racing versions of the Starion. The pop-up headlamps, sloping fastback roofline, and integrated rear spoiler created a profile that was unmistakably 1980s performance car, evoking comparisons to the Porsche 944 and Nissan 300ZX.

The interior was driver-focused, with supportive sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a comprehensive instrument cluster that included a boost gauge prominently positioned in the driver's line of sight. The analog clock, cruise control, and power windows and mirrors were standard equipment, as befitted a car positioned as a premium sport coupe in the Chrysler range.

The Conquest competed in a crowded segment that included the Toyota Supra, Nissan 300ZX, Mazda RX-7, and the car's own twin, the Dodge Conquest. It was generally well-received by automotive journalists who praised its handling balance and turbocharged grunt, though some criticized the peaky power delivery and the limited refinement of the four-cylinder engine compared to the six-cylinder competitors.

Production ended after 1989 as the Chrysler-Mitsubishi relationship evolved and the Starion was replaced by the 3000GT/Stealth partnership. Today, the Conquest TSi is appreciated as an affordable entry point into turbocharged rear-wheel-drive sports car ownership, with the mechanical components being well-supported by the Starion/Conquest community.