| Mitsubishi GTO | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
| Also called | Mitsubishi 3000GT Dodge Stealth |
| Production | 1990–2001 (Mitsubishi GTO) MY1991–1996 (Dodge Stealth) |
| Assembly | Nagoya, Aichi, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car Grand tourer |
| Body style | 2-door coupe 2-door convertible ('95–'96) |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-/four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Z11A, Z15A, Z16A |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6G72 3.0 L V6 • SOHC 12v • DOHC 24v • DOHC 24v twin-turbo |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual ('94–'01) |
| Dimensions | |
| 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 | 1,400–1,710 kilograms (3,100–3,800 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mitsubishi Starion |
Overview[edit]
Following the successful showing of the Mitsubishi HSR and Mitsubishi HSXconcept cars at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show,[1] Mitsubishi developed the new GTO as a technologically advanced 2+2 seater sports coupe to compete with the Honda NSX, Mazda RX-7, Nissan 300ZX, Skyline GT-R, Subaru SVX and theToyota 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 marketed as the Mitsubishi 3000GT and as theDodge Stealth outside Japan; the company was concerned that connoisseurswould object to the evocative nameplate from the highly regarded Ferrari 250 GTOand 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.[2] Its introduction in Japan was during the softening of the Japanese economy, known as the "bubble economy" which had an effect on sales.
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.[3]
1990–1993[edit]
The first generation model incorporated many of Mitsubishi's contemporary performance-enhancing technologies, such as full-time four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, active aerodynamics featuring automatically adjusting front and rear spoilers, sport/tour exhaust modes and electronically controlled suspension (ECS).[4] Active Aerodynamics were not available on the Dodge Stealth. Visually, both cars featured pop-up headlights and noticeable "caps" on the hood to accommodate the ECS controllers at the top of the strut turrets. However the rest of factory body kit differed in styling with their respective badges. Most notable are the Dodge signature cross-hairs on the Stealth front bumper fascia, Ferrari inspired gills on the 3000GT rocker panels, Crescent shaped spoiler on the Stealth commonly referred to as the "Banana Wing" and front Active Aero air dam on 3000GT VR4 (later discontinued on newer models).
| Model name | Engine | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Stealth (USA, Canada) | SOHC 12v V6 | 119 kW (162 PS; 160 hp) at 5500 rpm | 250 N·m (184 lb·ft) at 4000 rpm |
| Mitsubishi 3000GT, 3000GT SL (USA); Mitsubishi GTO; Dodge Stealth ES, Stealth R/T (USA, Canada) | DOHC 24v V6 | 164 kW (223 PS; 220 hp) at 6000 rpm | 272 N·m (201 lb·ft) at 4500 rpm |
| Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo, GTO MR | DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo | 206 kW (280 PS; 276 hp) at 6000 rpm | 427 N·m (315 lb·ft) at 2500 rpm |
| Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, 3000GT (Europe), Dodge Stealth R/T twin-turbo (USA, Canada) | DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo | 221 kW (300 PS; 296 hp) at 6000 rpm | 415 N·m (306 lb·ft) at 2500 rpm |
1994–1996[edit]
Second generation models are identified by a revised front bumper to accommodate projector beam headlights and small, round projector fog lights. The caps on the hood were replaced with integrated blisters, and the side air vents and rear bumpers were modified. The interior was redesigned with dual air bags, a new audio system, and revised air conditioning refrigerant. The engines in the twin-turbo models received a slight boost in torque from 307 lb·ft (416 N·m) to 315 lb·ft (427 N·m). To complement this, the VR-4 now included a six-speed Getrag manual transmission. Bigger wheel/tire combinations were provided beginning in 1995. The base and SL model received 16" wheels in silver or chrome with 225/55 tires, while the VR4 now had 18" chrome wheels with 245/40 tires (the Spyder had the standard 17" with higher profile tires from 1994 to handle the additional 400 lb (180 kg)).
As the price of the cars increased, many of the "gadgets" on the car were discontinued. The tunable exhaust was phased out after model year 1994, the ECS disappeared after the 1995 model year, and the active aerodynamics disappeared after 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 (162 PS; 160 hp) at 5500 rpm | 250 N·m (184 lb·ft) at 4000 rpm |
| Mitsubishi 3000GT, 3000GT SL, 3000GT SL Spyder(USA); Mitsubishi GTO; Stealth R/T (USA, Canada) | DOHC 24v V6 | 222 hp (166 kW; 225 PS) at 6000 rpm | 277 N·m (204 lb·ft) at 4500 rpm |
| Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo, GTO MR | DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo | 206 kW (280 PS; 276 hp) at 6000 rpm | 427 N·m (315 lb·ft) at 2500 rpm |
| Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, 3000GT VR-4 Spyder,3000GT(Europe); Dodge Stealth R/T twin-turbo (USA, Canada) | DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo | 238.4 kW (324 PS; 320 hp) at 6000 rpm | 427 N·m (315 lb·ft) at 2500 rpm |
1997–1999[edit]
The SOHC 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 a new front bumper and rainbow shaped arched type wing. In 1999 the car received another exterior makeover, including a new aggressive front bumper, headlamps, turn signals, sail panels, and a true inverted airfoil spoiler coined the "Combat Wing" for the 1999 VR-4 to distinguish it from previous models. 1999 was the final year the 3000GT was available in the US market. Production for the Japanese domestic market finally ceased in 2000, with the last two cars sold the following year.[5]
| Model name | Engine | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi 3000GT (USA) | SOHC 12v V6 | 119 kW (162 PS; 160 hp) at 5500 rpm | 250 N·m (184 lb·ft) at 4000 rpm |
| Mitsubishi 3000GT SL (USA); Mitsubishi GTO SR(Japan) | DOHC 24v V6 | 218 hp (163 kW; 221 PS) at 6000 rpm | 277 N·m (204 lb·ft) at 4500 rpm |
| Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo, Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo MR | DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo | 206 kW (280 PS; 276 hp) at 6000 rpm | 427 N·m (315 lb·ft) at 2500 rpm |
| Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 | DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo | 238.4 kW (324 PS; 320 hp) at 6000 rpm | 427 N·m (315 lb·ft) at 2500 rpm |
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