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	2-door coupe 2-door convertible ('95–'96)
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-/four-wheel drive
Platform	Z11A, Z15A, Z16A
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)
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)

The Mitsubishi GTO is a sports car built by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors between 1990 and 2001. 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 two-door hardtop coupé sold by the company in the early 1970s, which got its name from the Ferrari GTO, which means Gran Turismo Omologato.

Overview

Following the successful showing of the Mitsubishi HSR and Mitsubishi HSX concept 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, 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.^[2]

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

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] 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 (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

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	165 kW (224 PS; 221 hp) 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	320 hp (239 kW; 324 PS) at 6000 rpm	427 N·m (315 lb·ft) at 2500 rpm

1997–2001

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 hoop wing. In 1999 the car received a partial exterior makeover, including new front bumper, headlamps, turn signals, sail panels, and a large wing for the 1999 VR-4 to distinguish it from previous models. 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	165 kW (224 PS; 221 hp) 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	320 hp (239 kW; 324 PS) at 6000 rpm	427 N·m (315 lb·ft) at 2500 rpm

Gallery

• 

  The Active Aero spoiler on a 1992 3000GT VR-4.

• 

  1991 Dodge Stealth Indy 500 Official Car

• 

  A 1991 Dodge Stealth RT.

• 

  A 1995 base model 3000GT.

References

1. ^ Motor Trend, January 1990
2. ^ "3000GT/Stealth Production Numbers", Michael Reid & Jeff Lucius, stealth316.com, 2000–2004
3. ^ "A Pace Car Made (Quickly) in U.S.", Doron P Levin, The New York Times, February 26, 1991
4. ^ GTO at Mitsubishi Web Museum
5. ^ Fact & Figures 2005, Mitsubishi Motors website

External links

• GTO press release, Mitsubishi-motors.com, August 25, 1998 (Japanese)
• Mitsubishi GTO at the Open Directory Project