>>Mitsubishi GTO

Mitsubishi GTO

Mitsubishi GTO
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Motors
Also called	Mitsubishi 3000GT Dodge Stealth
Production	1990–2001 (Mitsubishi GTO) MY1991–1996 (Dodge Stealth)
Assembly	Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Predecessor	Mitsubishi Starion
Class	Sports car Grand tourer
Body style(s)	Coupe Convertible ('95–'96)
Platform	Z11A, Z15A, Z16A
Engine(s)	6G72 3.0 L V6 • SOHC 12v • DOHC 24v • DOHC 24v twin-turbo
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual ('94–'01)
Wheelbase	2,470 mm (97.2 in)
Length	4,600 mm (181.1 in)
Width	1,840 mm (72.4 in)
Height	1,285 mm (50.6 in)
Curb weight	1400 kg (3086 lb)–1710 kg (3770 lb)
Fuel capacity	75 L (16.5 Imp gal, 19.8 U.S. gal)

The Mitsubishi GTO is a sports grand tourer built by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors between 1990 and 2001, although in most export markets it was rebadged as a Mitsubishi 3000GT. It was also sold by Chrysler in North America as a Dodge Stealth captive import from the 1991 to 1996 model years with only minor detail/appearance differences. It took its name from the Galant GTO, a well-regarded two-door hardtop coupé sold by the company in the early 1970s, with contemporary American muscle car styling, straight-4 engines and rear wheel drive.

Overview

Following the successful showing of the Mitsubishi HSX concept car at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, Mitsubishi developed the new GTO as a technically advanced sports coupe to compete with the Mazda RX-7, Nissan 300ZX and Skyline GT-R, and the Toyota Supra. They resurrected the GTO name, and the car went on to serve as Mitsubishi’s flagship for the remainder of the decade. However, despite the cachet of the badge at home, it was known as the Mitsubishi 3000GT outside Japan; the company was concerned that connoisseurs would object to the evocative nameplate from the highly regarded Ferrari 250 GTO and Pontiac GTO being used on a Japanese vehicle. However, regardless of its badge or eventual target market, every car was built on the same production line at Mitsubishi's plant in Nagoya, Japan.

A Dodge Stealth was initially to be used as a pace car for the 1991 Indianapolis 500 race. The United Auto Workers (UAW), however, did not like the idea of a Japanese-manufactured car being a pace car for the race, and a prototype Dodge Viper was substituted.

1990–1993

The first generation incorporated many of Mitsubishi's contemporary performance-enhancing technologies, such as full time all wheel drive, four wheel steering, active aerodynamics featuring automatically-adjusting front and rear spoilers, a tuneable exhaust and electronically controlled suspension (ECS). Visually, the cars featured pop-up headlights and noticeable "caps" on the hood to accommodate the ECS controllers at the top of the strut turrets.

Model name	Engine	Peak power	Peak torque
Dodge Stealth (USA, Canada)	SOHC 12v V6	119 kW (161 PS) at 5500 rpm	250 N·m (185 ft·lbf) at 4000 rpm
Mitsubishi 3000GT, 3000GT SL (USA); Mitsubishi GTO; Dodge Stealth ES, Stealth R/T (USA, Canada)	DOHC 24v V6	163 kW (222 PS) at 6000 rpm	272 N·m (201 ft·lbf) at 4500 rpm
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, Dodge Stealth R/T twin-turbo (USA, Canada)	DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo	221 kW (300 PS) at 6000 rpm	415 N·m (307 ft·lbf) at 2500 rpm
Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo, GTO MR	DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo	206 kW (280 PS) at 6000 rpm	427 N·m (315 ft·lbf) at 2500 rpm

1994–1996

Second generation models are identified by a revised front bumper to accommodate projector beam headlights and small, round projector fog lights. Bigger wheel/tire combinations were offered, and the caps on the hood were eliminated, and the side air vents (which are actually faux air vents) and rear bumpers were modified. The interior was redesigned with dual air bags and revised air conditioning refrigerant. The engines in all models received a slight boost in torque. To complement this, the VR-4 now included a six-speed Getrag transmission.

As the price of the cars increased, many of the "gadgets" on the car were discontinued. The tuneable exhaust was phased out as early as 1994, the ECS disappeared after the 1995 model year, and the active aerodynamics in 1996. Finally, Chrysler ceased sales of the Dodge Stealth captive import, and for the remainder of its life only Mitsubishi-badged versions were available.

In 1995 and 1996, special edition retractable hardtop convertible models of the 3000GT SL and VR-4 were sold in the USA. Customized by ASC in California, these cars had retractable hardtops which could be opened or closed at the touch of a button. It was the first of its kind in America since the 1957–59 Ford Skyliner, and although it was abandoned after two years because of slow sales (1618 units), it presaged a market which would eventually mature the following year with the Mercedes SLK.

Model name	Engine	Peak power	Peak torque
Dodge Stealth (USA, Canada)	SOHC 12v V6	119 kW (161 PS) at 5500 rpm	250 N·m (185 ft·lbf) at 4000 rpm
Mitsubishi 3000GT, 3000GT SL, 3000GT SL Spyder (USA); Mitsubishi GTO; Stealth R/T (USA, Canada)	DOHC 24v V6	165 kW (225 PS) at 6000 rpm	277 N·m (205 ft·lbf) at 4500 rpm
Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo, GTO MR	DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo	206 kW (280 PS) at 6000 rpm	427 N·m (315 ft·lbf) at 2500 rpm
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, 3000GT VR-4 Spyder; Dodge Stealth R/T twin-turbo (USA, Canada)	DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo	239 kW (320 PS) at 6000 rpm	427 N·m (315 ft·lbf) at 2500 rpm

1997–2001

The SOHC 12v engine, previously only available in the base model Stealth, was added to the Mitsubishi range after the Dodge version was discontinued. Slower sales in the American sports car market led to a planned facelift for 1997 being abandoned in favor of minor cosmetic adjustments including new front bumper and hoop wing. For the final model year 3000GT in 1999, the car received a partial exterior makeover including new front bumper, headlamps, turn signals, sail panels, rear garnish and specific for the 1999 VR4, a large wing to distinguish it from the rest of the previous 3/S and current 1999 non-vr4 models. Production for the Japanese domestic market finally ceased in 2000, with the last two cars sold the following year.

Model name	Engine	Peak power	Peak torque
Mitsubishi 3000GT (USA)	SOHC 12v V6	119 kW (161 PS) at 5500 rpm	250 N·m (185 ft·lbf) at 4000 rpm
Mitsubishi 3000GT SL (USA); Mitsubishi GTO SR (Japan)	DOHC 24v V6	165 kW (225 PS) at 6000 rpm	277 N·m (205 ft·lbf) at 4500 rpm
Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo, Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo MR	DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo	206 kW (280 PS) at 6000 rpm	427 N·m (315 ft·lbf) at 2500 rpm
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4	DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo	239 kW (320 PS) at 6000 rpm	427 N·m (315 ft·lbf) at 2500 rpm

Gallery

The Active Aero spoiler on a 1992 3000GT VR-4. It was an option on the first two generation VR-4 models but was later phased out.

A 1992 Dodge Stealth.

A 1994 Dodge Stealth.