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Photo of a Mitsubishi Space Star

Mitsubishi Space Star

The 1998 Space Star: Volvo S40 bones and up to 1,370 liters in a 4.03-meter body.12

Researched November 9, 2026 from 28 sources

At a glance

0100200
80–121 hpPower
07.515
10.4–13.4 s0–100 km/h
0100200
170–190 km/hTop speed
0150300
117–265 N·mTorque
07501,500
1,160–1,320 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.121415

Engine
1.3–1.8 L gasoline inline-fours; Renault 1.9 L DI-D turbodiesels14
Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive1
Gearbox
5-speed manual; 1.6 or 1.8 MPI: optional 4-speed INVECS-II automatic111
Built at
NedCar, Born, Netherlands1
Units built
275,769 (1998–2005)13

The story

Designed and built for Europe, the 1998–2005 mini-MPV shared Carisma and Volvo S40/V40 underpinnings. Its rear bench slid 15 cm to stretch the trunk from 370 to 450 liters.134

1998: A 350-foot crop-circle double · Space Star reaches Europe19982000: Renault common-rail diesel arrives20002001: 1.6 gasoline joins the lineup · 3-star crash test exposes weak points20012002: New face for the 2003 model year · MPI and high-power diesel announced20022004: Inform, Invite and Instyle arrive20042005: Production ends at 275,7692005 Mitsubishi Space Wagon (first generation) (D0#W): 1983–1991D0#WMitsubishi Space Wagon (second generation) (N30W/N40W): 1991–1997N30W/N40WMitsubishi Space Runner (first generation) (N10/N20): 1991–1999N10/N20Mitsubishi Space Star (DG0): 1998–2005DG0 198519901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones11315212324
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1983–1991Mitsubishi Space Wagon (first generation) (D0#W)
1991–1997Mitsubishi Space Wagon (second generation) (N30W/N40W)
1991–1999Mitsubishi Space Runner (first generation) (N10/N20)
1998–2005Mitsubishi Space Star (DG0)
1998A 350-foot crop-circle double
1998Space Star reaches Europe
2000Renault common-rail diesel arrives
20011.6 gasoline joins the lineup
20013-star crash test exposes weak points
2002New face for the 2003 model year
2002MPI and high-power diesel announced
2004Inform, Invite and Instyle arrive
2005Production ends at 275,769
  1. 1998

    A 350-foot crop-circle double

    For an August 1998 ad, three circlemakers spent 12 hours making a 350-by-110-foot Space Star silhouette at Alton Barnes, Wiltshire.5

  2. 1998

    Space Star reaches Europe

    Introduced in fall 1998, the original Space Star was assembled at NedCar in Born, Netherlands, for European buyers.1

  3. 2000

    Renault common-rail diesel arrives

    The 1.9 DI-D added Renault common-rail diesel power in fall 2000, with 215 Nm at 1,700 rpm.67

  4. 2001

    1.6 gasoline joins the lineup

    A new 1.6-liter, 16-valve gasoline engine broadened the lineup with about 97 hp.18

  5. 2001

    3-star crash test exposes weak points

    Adult protection earned 3 stars. Head and chest hit the wheel; the rear center lap belt risked spinal injury, and side airbags were not standard.9

  6. 2002

    New face for the 2003 model year

    Reworked headlights, grille and taillights arrived with a smaller four-spoke wheel and revised cabin trim.110

  7. 2002

    MPI and high-power diesel announced

    September availability was announced for the 110-hp 1.8 MPI and 114-hp 1.9 DI-D HP. Germany's MPI replaced GDI in early October.311

  8. 2004

    Inform, Invite and Instyle arrive

    A May range reshuffle introduced Inform, Invite and Instyle; the 1.8 Instyle Silver Pack added 15-inch alloys, a leather wheel and side airbags.12

  9. 2005

    Production ends at 275,769

    The original Space Star finished its run in 2005, with total production of 275,769 cars.113

Every generation

  • Mitsubishi Space Wagon (first generation)
    D0#W1983–1991
  • Mitsubishi Space Wagon (second generation)
    N30W/N40W1991–1997
  • Mitsubishi Space Runner (first generation)
    N10/N201991–1999
  • Mitsubishi Space Star
    DG01998–2005

Power over the years

From 82 hp to 121 hp in 0 years.

050100150 199820002002 hp 1998 · 82 hp · 1.3 16V, lower launch output1998 · 84 hp · 1.3 16V, higher launch output1998 · 117 hp · 1.8 GDI, lower launch output1998 · 121 hp · 1.8 GDI, higher launch output2000 · 80 hp · 1.3 16V update2000 · 101 hp · 1.9 DI-D debut2001 · 97 hp · 1.6 16V joins2002 · 110 hp · 1.8 MPI replaces GDI2002 · 114 hp · 1.9 DI-D High Power 121 hp 1.8 GDI, higher launch output 82 hp 1.3 16V, lower launch output
6811
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1998821.3 16V, lower launch output
1998841.3 16V, higher launch output
19981171.8 GDI, lower launch output
19981211.8 GDI, higher launch output
2000801.3 16V update
20001011.9 DI-D debut
2001971.6 16V joins
20021101.8 MPI replaces GDI
20021141.9 DI-D High Power

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Family / Comfort / Avance

    2003

  • Standard

    1.9 DI-D Equippe

    2003

    101 hp

  • Standard

    Inform / Inform Silver Pack

    2004

  • Standard

    1.3 Tribu

    2003–2004

    80 hp

  • Special

    Family Diamond

    2002

  • Special

    Shogun / Shogun SE

    2002

  • Special

    Box Office

    2002

  • Special

    Silverline

    2003

  • Special

    Sport

    2003

How to spot one

Look for

  • Short, tall five-door body with wheels pushed toward the corners.116
  • Early cars have trapezoidal headlights set back from the grille and a broad lower air intake.2
  • Upright rear lamps; facelift units have round elements inside them.211
  • Facelift cars have body-color bumpers with black protective strips and chrome emblems.11

Year by year

  1. 2002 / 2003 model year

    The facelift brings smaller, darkened headlights, a black grille and a bumper with rearranged air intakes.410

  2. 2002 / 2003 model year

    Rear lamps gain round turn signals, while front and rear emblems become chrome.31014

  3. 2003 model year

    Inside, look for a smaller four-spoke wheel and a revised center console with covers over the radio and storage.610

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Mitsubishi Space Star
    Space Star
    Photo of a Mitsubishi Mirage-based Space Star
    Mitsubishi Mirage-based Space Star

    Mitsubishi Mirage-based Space Star

    The later Space Star is a Mirage supermini; the 1998–2005 original belongs to the mini-MPV family.1

  • First-generation Mitsubishi Space Runner / RVR

    Look for the Space Runner's passenger-side sliding rear door; Space Star has a five-door hatchback body.121

  • Photo of a Mitsubishi Space Star
    Space Star
    Photo of a Suzuki Liana
    Suzuki Liana

    Suzuki Liana

    The Liana has a bulkier, longer body; Space Star is more compact despite similar passenger space.22

Against its rivals

  • Renault Scénic dCi

    Space Star vs Renault Scénic dCi

    Average consumption lower is better

    Space Star5.5 l/100 km
    Renault Scénic dCi5.9 l/100 km
    7

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 11 stories from its legend
    • “A near-stock 1.3 wins the World Cup Rally”
    • “Phenomen: one minute on 35 mm”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 28 sources
  1. Mitsubishi Space Star - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Prova su strada | Mitsubishi Space Star motorbox.com
  3. Mitsubishi Space Star kfz-mag.de
  4. Czy warto kupić: Mitsubishi Space Star (od 1998 do 2005) • AutoCentrum.pl autocentrum.pl
  5. ¤ c i r c l e m a k e r s ¤ circlemakers.org
  6. Mitsubishi Space Star : une bonne étoile et une seule - L'argus largus.fr
  7. Directement en rampe commune ! - L'argus largus.fr
  8. Mitsubishi Space Star (1998 – 2004) | Autoweb autoweb.cz
  9. Mitsubishi Space Star 2001 - Autoliitto autoliitto.fi
  10. Mitsubishi Space Star 1.9 DI-D - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  11. Autozine - Nieuws: de mitsubishi space star heeft een facelift ondergaan autozine.nl
  12. Autozine - Nieuws: Nieuwe line up voor Mitsubishi Space Star autozine.nl
  13. Mitsubishi Space Star (1998–2005) - Autocade autocade.net
  14. Używane Mitsubishi Space Star (1998-2005) - Motoryzacja w INTERIA.PL motoryzacja.interia.pl
  15. Mitsubishi Space Star 1.9 DI-D Comfort (07/02 - 06/05): Technische Daten, Bilder, Preise | ADAC adac.de
  16. Mitsubishi Space Star road test | Car Reviews | by Car Enthusiast carenthusiast.com
  17. Fiche technique Mitsubishi Space Star 13 Tribu - L'argus largus.fr
  18. Autozine - Nieuws: Speciale uitvoeringen Mitsubishi Carisma en Space Star autozine.nl
  19. Mitsubishi Silverline Modelle – Telegramm - News - AUTOWELT - motorline.cc motorline.cc
  20. Space Star und Colt als "Sport"-Varianten - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  21. Mitsubishi RVR - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. Suzuki Liana 1.6 / Mitsubishi Space Star 1.6 autopista.es
  23. Mitsubishi Chariot - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. Mitsubishi Space Runner – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  25. Space Star wygrywa w World Cup Rally - Motoryzacja w INTERIA.PL motoryzacja.interia.pl
  26. Mitsubishi Space Star - Phenomen (Motiv-Nr.19/99) | filmportal.de filmportal.de
  27. Begtest: Mitsubishi Space Star | Vi Bilägare vibilagare.se
  28. Mitsubishi Space Star I 1e facelift - Auto Review anwb.nl
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motorbox.com
  • kfz-mag.de
  • autocentrum.pl
  • circlemakers.org
  • largus.fr
  • autoweb.cz
  • autoliitto.fi
  • autobild.de
  • autozine.nl
  • autocade.net
  • motoryzacja.interia.pl
  • adac.de
  • carenthusiast.com

Photo credits

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