Well, it was an attempt at one. :-D
No, you're remembering the Mitsubishi 3.0L v6 not the 2.5 turbo. You used to be able to pick 3.0 powered LeBarons and Minivans out of traffic when you couldn't even see the car! After, oh, 1989 or so about 90% of LeBarons and almost all the minivans got the Mitsu engine. The few people that sprung for the 3.3 v6 were MUCH happier with their minivan... and so were the people that had to drive behind them. Same for the small percentage that opted for the turbo LeBaron instead of the v6.
I'm not sure I've ever seen a smoking 2.2/2.5 unless it was the turbo itself, usually something causing back-pressure in the oil return line.