1981

Production of the Minica ami L, the fifth generation in the Minica line.

Production of the NW413LR bonnet-type super heavy load capacity special-purpose truck with a 250-ton gross combination weight and the K1302 crane carrier with a lifting capacity of 150-tons.

Production of the large-size high-deck MS buses.

Colt 1600GLX wins "Car of the Year" award given by Australia's Modern Motor magazine. Galant Sigma (Mitsubishi Galant) wins "Car of the Year" award given by New Zealand's Motor World magazine.

1982

Several new models launched:
The go-anywhere Mitsubishi Pajero (Montero),

Pajero (Montero), 1982

high performance Mitsubishi Starion,

Starion, 1982

Mitsubishi Tredia sedan and Mitsubishi Cordia hatchback.

Tredia, 1982	Cordia, 1982

The Delica 4WD (Mitsubishi L300 4WD) released.

Production of the third generation Lancer, the Lancer Fiore.

Production of the large-size MS bus series called Aerobus.

Development of the Orion 1400 MD (Modulated Displacement) engine for the Mirage (Colt), the world's first application of this type of Mitsubishi-developed technology. Orion 1400 turbocharged carburetor system, Japan's first application of this type of system, developed for the Mirage. Saturn 1600 turbocharged carburetor system developed for the
Cordia and Tredia models. Development of 2-wheel ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) for the Starion and ELC (Electronic Control) Automatic Transmission.

1983

Launch of the Chariot (Mitsubishi Space Wagon), a new concept for a people carrier.

Chariot (Space Wagon), 1983

Production of the fifth generation Galant, featured an FF format for the first time.

Galant, 1983

The Mirage (Mitsubishi Colt) undergoes its first full model change.

Production of the fourth generation Lancer, the Lancer Fiore.

Production of the 2nd generation F-series heavy-duty truck series, popularly called "The Great" in Japan.

FU heavy-duty truck, 1983

Saturn 1600 ECI turbocharged engine developed for the Colt. ECS (Electronic Control Suspension), 4-wheel ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) and EPS (Electronic Power Steering) developed for the Galant.

Electronic Control Suspension (ECS), 1983

Pajero (Montero) enters 5th Paris-Dakar Rally and wins Unmodified 4WD Production Class, Marathon Class and Best Team Award.

1984

Production of the sixth generation Minica (Mitsubishi Towny) and the fourth generation Minicab (Mitsubishi L100).

Production of the 4WD version of the Chariot (Mitsubishi Space Wagon 4WD).

Launch of the Mitsubishi Galant 4-door Hardtop, Mitsubishi's first 4-door hardtop.

Production of the fourth generation medium-duty cab-over truck series popularly called the "Fighter" in Japan.

Production of the MP large-size bus series called Aerostar and high-deck MK515 bus.

Development of the Sirius-DASH engine, the world's first 3x2 valve engine. It was first fitted to the Starion.

Sirius-DASH engine, 1984

Mitsubishi Motors official vehicle supplier to the XIV Olympic Winter Games at Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.Nine Pajeros (Montero), 25 Space Wagons, 34 L300 4WDs and five Galants provided for transport of officials and athletes.

Galant wins the prestigious West German automobile award "Das Goldene Lenkrad" (The Golden Steering Wheel). Pajero (Montero) wins "4x4 of the Year" awards in France and Australia.

Pajero (Montero) enters 6th Paris-Dakar Rally and wins Modified 4WD Production Class, Unmodified 4WD Production Class and Marathon Class. Starion 4WD takes class honors in Mille Pistes Rally.

1985

Launch of the Mirage/Lancer Van (Mitsubishi Lancer Station Wagon).

Mirage/Lancer Van (Lancer Station Wagon), 1985

Production of the Aero king (MU) large-size twin rear axle double-deck bus, and the Aeromidi (MM) medium-size touring bus.

Aeroking double-decker bus, 1985

Production of the fifth generation Canter light-duty truck.

MMAT-Mitsubishi Mechanical Automatic Transmission developed for large buses.

Pajero (Montero) Long Wagon wins Australia's "4x4 of the Year" award.

Pajero (Montero) enters 7th Paris-Dakar Rally and wins overall 1st and 2nd, Unmodified 4WD Production Class and Marathon Class. Pajero wins Australia's 1st Wynn's Safari Rally.

1986

Production of the Debonair V, the second generation Debonair.

Debonair V, 1986

Production of the Lancer 4WD Van (Mitsubishi Lancer Station Wagon) with Full-time 4WD and the third generation Delica (Mitsubishi L300).

Production of the forth generation Rosa small-sized bus.

Rosa small-size bus, 1986

Launch of new medium-duty class trucks, the Fighter Mignon in Japan and the FH overseas.

Fighter Mignon medium-duty truck, 1986

Development of the Cyclone engine series (550cc~3000cc) and the Cyclone V6 engine series (2000cc~3000cc). Full-time 4WD with central differential developed for the
Lancer Station Wagon.

The Pajero (Montero) recognized by numerous publications around the world, including: Australia's 4x4 Australia and Bushdriver magazines, and the UK's What Car? magazine named the Pajero the "4x4 of the Year;" in Spain it won the "Car of the Year" award. The Mitsubishi L300 wins for the third year running 4x4 Australia magazine's "Best Light Duty 4x4" award.

Pajero (Montero) enters 8th Paris-Dakar Rally taking 3rd overall, and class honors in Unmodified 4WD Production and Marathon classes.

1987

Production of the sixth generation Galant, featuring organic styling and equipped with the latest technology, including: Dynamic-Four, Dynamic ECS and a new DOHC power plant.

Galant VR-4, 1987

The Mirage (Mitsubishi Colt) undergoes second full model change.

Mirage (Colt), 1987	Mirage 4-door (Lancer), 1987

DOHC engine featuring the world's first Needle Roller Rocker Arm for passenger car use developed. V6 2000cc supercharged engine developed for Debonair.

Dynamic-Four (4WD, 4WS, 4IS and 4ABS), the first total integration of these systems in the world, and Dynamic ECS developed for the Galant.

Mitsubishi Motors official car supplier to the XIV Universiade Games, held in Zagreb Yugoslavia. A total of 67 vehicles supplied to transport competitors, officials and equipment.

The Galant wins "87~88 Car of the Year" in Japan. Pajero (Montero) receives a number of 4x4 awards in Japan and overseas. Magna Wagon, built by Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd., wins Modern Motors' "Car of 1987" award and "The Best Car of 1987" award given by Wheels magazine, both of Australia. Mitsubishi Canter wins Ireland's "Truck of the Year" award from Commercial Transport magazine.

Pajero (Montero) enters 9th Paris-Dakar Rally, taking 3rd overall, and class honors in Modified 4WD Production Class and "Best Team Award." Pajero, Starion, Lancer, L200 and Colt finish 1987 motorsports season with a total of 110 victories worldwide.

1988

Production of the fifth generation Lancer and the Eterna (Mitsubishi Galant 5-door Hatchback).

Lancer (Lancer 5-door Hatchback), 1988	Eterna (Galant 5-door Hatchback), 1988

Production of the Aeroqueen (MS) large-sized touring bus series and the Aeromidi (MJ, MK, MM) medium-sized bus.

Mitsubishi Motors lists its shares on the First Section of the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya stock exchanges. The grand opening ceremony for Diamond-Star Motors Corporation, a joint venture between Mitsubishi Motors and Chrysler, is held at the DSM plant in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.

Colt and Lancer wins the prestigious West German automobile award "Das Goldene Lenkrad" (The Golden Steering Wheel). Pajero wins the "1988 Auto-Oscar" from West German magazine Auto Zeitung and awarded "4x4 of the Year" by Austria's Seilbahnen Interbus magazine. Dynamic-Four system (4WD, 4WS, 4IS and 4ABS) honored by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Machinery Industry. Mitsubishi's "Active Control Technology for Passenger Cars" wins the Outstanding Paper Award in the Vehicle Systems and Manufacturing Area at 22nd Conference of FISITA.

Pajero (Montero) enters 10th Paris-Dakar Rally, taking 2nd overall and the top 4 places in the Modified 4WD Production Class. Pajero wins the Wynn's Safari Rally in Australia for fourth year in a row. Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 wins the 9th Himalayan Rally and takes 1st overall in 1988 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship series.

1989

Production of the seventh generation Minica and the Eterna Sava.

U.S. launch of the Eclipse, a sports car model made in the United States by Diamond-Star Motors.

Mitsubishi Galant wins "1989 Import Car of the Year" award given by Motor Trend magazine in the U.S. The Japan Society for the Promotion of the Machinery Industry awards Mitsubishi Motors its 1989 Society Award (automotive) for development of the Pre-Stroke type Fuel Injection Pump for truck diesel engines.

Pajero (Montero) enters 11th Paris-Dakar, taking 3rd overall and honors in the Modified 4WD Production Class. Pajero wins the Australian Safari for fifth year running. Galant VR-4 wins outright two WRC events: 39th 1000 Lakes Rally and 38th RAC Rally.

1990

Launch of the Sigma and Diamante, Mitsubishi's entry into the upper-medium executive saloon class and featuring Mitsubishi-developed Traction Control System, the first application of this technology in the world.

Diamante (Sigma), 1990

Launch of the Minica Toppo, a new high-roof micro-compact.

The GTO (Mitsubishi 3000GT), a high-performance sports model, introduced to the world market.

GTO (3000GT), 1990

Mitsubishi Motors becomes world's top producer of light-duty trucks, with 212,595 units built in 1990.

TCL (Traction Control System), an electronically controlled trace and traction control system, an industry first, developed for the new Mitsubishi Sigma and Diamante.

Mitsubishi Sigma and Diamante named "1990~91 Japanese Car of the Year." The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers awards Mitsubishi Motors the "1990 Technology Award" for development of the Pre-Stroke Control type Fuel Injection Pump for truck diesel engines and the Hydraulic Coupling Unit adopted for full-time 4WD.

Pajero (Montero) enters 12th Paris-Dakar, taking 4th overall and honors in the Modified 4WD Production Class. Pajero wins Australian Safari for sixth year running. Galant VR-4 wins 22nd Cote d'Ivoire Rally.