Mitsubishi Gt 3000 Dodge Version

[Marthe Bernskoetter]

The car was based on Mitsubishi's Sigma/Diamante and retained their transverse mounted 3-liter, 24-valve V6 engines and front-wheel-drive layout.[4] The GTO's engines were naturally aspirated or with twin-turbochargers and were also available with active aerodynamics (automatically adjusting front and rear spoilers), four-wheel-steering, full-time all-wheel-drive and adaptive suspension.[3]

Following the successful showing of the Mitsubishi HSR and Mitsubishi HSX concept cars at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show,[8] Mitsubishi unveiled the new GTO as a 2+2 seating grand touring car in order to compete with the Mazda RX-7, Nissan 300ZX, Honda NSX, Subaru SVX, 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. Despite the cachet of the badge at home, it was marketed as the Mitsubishi 3000GT and as the Dodge Stealth outside Japan; the company was concerned that connoisseurs would object to the evocative nameplate from the Ferrari 250 GTO and Pontiac GTO being used on a Japanese vehicle.

Each was built on the same production line at Mitsubishi's plant in Nagoya, Japan.[9] Its Japanese introduction coincided with the softening Japanese economy, subsequently known as the "bubble economy".

JDM GTOs were marketed at Mitsubishi's Car Plaza retail chain, with JDM buyers paying additional annual road tax as well as elevated taxes for being classified as a large car by Japan's exterior dimension regulations.

A Dodge Stealth was scheduled as a 1991 Indianapolis 500 pace car, until the United Auto Workers (UAW) rejected it because of its Japanese rather than US-manufacture. A prototype of the Dodge Viper was substituted in place of it.[10] Still used as a backup pace car, eventual race winner Rick Mears received a Dodge Stealth for winning the race and dealers sold pace car replica editions, as the Viper did not begin production until later that year.[11]

In North America, both the Mitsubishi 3000GT as well as the Dodge Stealth were available. Two different powertrains were offered on the 3000GT while the Stealth had three different options. The base 3-door hatchback Stealth came equipped with a 3.0-liter 12-valve SOHC V6 engine producing 164 hp (122 kW) at 5,500rpm. The base 3000GT and SL model and the Dodge Stealth ES and R/T model came equipped with a 3.0-liter DOHC V6 engine producing 222 hp (166 kW). The VR-4 (Viscous Realtime 4WD) and R/T Turbo came equipped with a twin turbocharged 3.0-liter DOHC V6 engine producing 300 hp (224 kW) at 5,500 rpm. A 5-speed Getrag manual transmission was standard and a 4-speed INVECS automatic was an option on all models except the turbocharged variants. The 3000GT SL and Stealth R/T included an electronically-controlled suspension as well as other features such as anti-lock brakes and automatic climate control while the turbocharged models further added performance options such as permanent 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel steering, limited-slip differential, active aerodynamics and came with Z rated 17-inch tires.

In Europe, instead of the Mitsubishi-built[1] TD04-09B turbochargers used on Japanese and US Twin Turbo models that generated 9 psi (0.6 bar), the EU-spec model received the higher capacity TD04-13G turbochargers which generated 13 psi (0.9 bar). While power output is no higher than contemporary market models, these have lower discharge temperatures to better handle the prolonged high speeds possible on the German Autobahn, along with an upgraded transmission.[13] The engine was rated at 286 PS (210 kW; 282 hp); the modifications took time and European models only went on sale in the Autumn of 1992.[14]

The VR-4 model now included a six-speed Getrag manual transmission with revised gear ratios. Larger wheel/tire combinations were available beginning in 1995. The base and SL model received 16-inch wheels in silver or chrome with 225/55 tires, while the VR-4 now had 18-inch chrome wheels with 245/40 tires (the Spyder had the standard 17-inch with higher profile tires from 1994 to handle the additional 400 lb (180 kg) of weight).

With subsequent price increases, features were discontinued: the tunable exhaust was phased out after 1994 model year, the ECS after 1995 model year, and the active aerodynamics disappeared after 1996. This was also when Chrysler ceased sales of the Dodge Stealth captive import, and for the remainder of its life only Mitsubishi-badged versions were available.

In 1995, Mitsubishi's 3000GT Spyder was available in four color combinations: red with grey leather interior, black with ivory leather interior, white pearl with grey, and martinique yellow with ivory leather interior. In 1996 the 3000GT Spyder was available in red with tan interior, black pearl with tan leather, white pearl with tan leather interior, and green pearl with tan leather. SL Spyders were only available with an automatic transmission while the VR4 Spyder was only available with a 6-speed manual transmission.

In 1994, Mitsubishi released a limited edition of what was now the previous generation 3000GT, branded as "Beckenbauer Edition." Honoring Franz Beckenbauer. All were painted Lamborghini yellow and were equipped with a Remus sports exhaust, OZ Futura rims, a numbered plate signed by Beckenbauer, and a C-Netz mobile phone system. Only 30 were made, sold through 1995.[28][29]

The redesign of the second generation 3000GT brought it up to date, especially through the loss of pop-up headlights and the front strut caps and resulting smoother hood.[30] The Tuneable Exhaust System was phased out in 1995 and the Active Aero was phased out in 1996. A notable change was the brake redesign, facelift models received 2-piston rear brake calipers and larger front brakes that showed no sign of fading under heavy use unlike the early models. Braking distances improved slightly. The new 6-speed was geared well and paired with the extra horsepower and torque allowed the car to out-accelerate its rivals from a standing start.These changes made all models lighter, the VR-4 was now 3,737 pounds and the SL 3,263 pounds.[31]

Road tests at the time showed the second generation 3000GT VR-4 to be capable of 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.8 - 5.4 seconds[32] and the quarter mile in 13.5 seconds at 101 to 105 miles per hour (163 to 169 km/h), making it faster in a straight line than the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo and Mazda RX-7 Twin Turbo.[33][3][34] Though heavy, it was comfortable and easy to drive fast. Thanks to the ample power, it could be taken around a track quickly, with noted under steer and a lack of feedback.[35]

The SOHC engine was added to the Mitsubishi 3000GTs after the discontinuation of the Stealth. The 3000GT's featuring the single cam engine had a weight of 3131 pounds provided that they were not offered with the sunroof and leather seats.

The 1997-2000 3000GTs are separated by pre- or post-facelift. Slower sales in the American sports car market led to the major facelift plans for 1997 being abandoned. Minor cosmetic changes were implemented instead including a new front bumper and rainbow-shaped arched type wing.

A two door / four seat grand touring sports car made by the Japanese firm Mitsubishi through-out the 1990s. The car was unique in being one of the few performance cars of the era that could be had with all-wheel drive. It was known in the Americas and Europe as the Mitsubishi 3000GT (or in Japan as the Mitsubishi GTO), but was sold concurrently as the Dodge Stealth in North America.

First produced in Japan in 1990 as the Mitsubishi GTO, the U.S./European version was showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1990 under the name HSX. Its goals were to replace the Mitsubishi Starion (and the Chrysler Conquest) and to create a contender for Mitsubishi in the sports car arena of the Nissan 300ZX, Mazda RX-7, and Toyota Supra, while following the Japanese tradition of under pricing and outperforming more expensive, luxurious cars. The first American and Canadian 3000GTs were produced at the Nagoya plant in Okazaki, Japan and publicly distributed in the fall of 1990. At that same time, Dodge released the sister car of the 3000GT, the Dodge Stealth. The Dodge Stealth was mechanically identical to the 3000GT. The only differences were the body and some options. While the Stealth was only distributed in the US and Canada, the 3000GT was never sold in Canada. The GTO in Japan lasted from 1990 to 2001, the 3000GT in the US and Europe lasted from 1991 to 1999, and the sister car, the Stealth, lasted only from 1991 to 1996 (1995 in Canada). Here is an excerpt from the book "Japanese Supercars" (c) 1992, Mallard Press:

In North America, Mitsubishi enjoyed success in the early years as the 3000GT outsold the Nissan 300ZX, the Mazda RX-7, and the Toyota Supra combined; however, like the other Japanese supercars it fell victim to over-optioning and overpricing. The VR4 reached exotic prices approaching $50,000 and could not compete with the likes of the Chevrolet Corvette. The Dodge Stealth was discontinued in 1996 and Mitsubishi would kill the 3000GT in 1999, although sales of the Mitsubishi GTO continued in Japan. The market had shifted towards minivans and SUVs, and the automakers responded accordingly. The 3000GT and Dodge Stealth still live on today, maintained by their small group of enthusiastic tuners.

With the engine idling, there is a little more than a soft, baritone rumble coming from the four chromed exhaust pipes. Ease the shifter into first gear, and the six-speed transmission responds with reassuring precision. Press down on the accelerator and experience total exhilaration.Both intercooled turbochargers emit a shrill hiss, and 320 horsepower pours into the full-time all wheel drive system. Enormous 18 inch wheels and 245/40 Z-rated tires dig into the pavement, the suspension tenses and the 3000GT VR-4 launches off the line. Sweep into the first turn, and the same-phase four-wheel steering generates breathtaking stability. The steering wheel is alive with information about the road. Your confidence soars. Accelerate out of the turn, and all wheel drive with two limited-slip differentials creates unyielding traction - you power out of the corner with riveting control.

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