Difference between revisions of "Mitsubishi GTO"

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==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Commonscat|Mitsubishi GTO}}
 
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Red92VR4rear.jpg|The Active Aero spoiler on a 1992 3000GT VR-4.
Image:Red92VR4rear.jpg|The Active Aero spoiler on a 1992 3000GT VR-4.
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[[Category:Sports cars]]
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Latest revision as of 02:04, 4 February 2009

Mitsubishi GTO
Mitsubishi 3000GT
ManufacturerMitsubishi Motors
Also calledMitsubishi 3000GT
Dodge Stealth
Production1990–2001 (Mitsubishi GTO)
MY1991–1996 (Dodge Stealth)
AssemblyNagoya, Aichi, Japan
PredecessorMitsubishi Starion
ClassSports car
Grand tourer
Body style(s)2-door coupe
2-door convertible ('95–'96)
LayoutFront engine, front-/Four-wheel drive[1]
PlatformZ11A, 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)
Wheelbase2,470 mm (97.2 in)
Length4,600 mm (181.1 in)
Width1,840 mm (72.4 in)
Height1,285 mm (50.6 in)
Curb weight1,400–1,710 kilograms (3,100–3,800 lb)
Fuel capacity75 l (16.5 imp gal; Template:Convert/LoffAonSoffUSre)
ManualsService Manual

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 two-door hardtop coupé sold by the company in the early 1970s.

Overview

Following the successful showing of the Mitsubishi HSX concept car at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show,[2] 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.[3]

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.[4]

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 (162 PS; 160 hp) at 5500 rpm 250 N·m (184 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; 219 hp) 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; 296 hp) at 6000 rpm 415 N·m (306 ft·lbf) at 2500 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 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 also offered. 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 caps on the hood were eliminated, and the side 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 manual transmission.

As the price of the cars increased, many of the "gadgets" on the car were discontinued. The tunable 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 (162 PS; 160 hp) at 5500 rpm 250 N·m (184 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 (224 PS; 221 hp) at 6000 rpm 277 N·m (204 ft·lbf) 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 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 (325 PS; 321 hp) 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 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 ft·lbf) 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 ft·lbf) 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 ft·lbf) at 2500 rpm
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo 239 kW (325 PS; 321 hp) at 6000 rpm 427 N·m (315 ft·lbf) at 2500 rpm

Gallery

References

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

External links

Template:Mitsubishi Motors vehicles