Mitsubishi GTO
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| Mitsubishi GTO | |
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| Also called: | Mitsubishi 3000GT Dodge Stealth |
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| Manufacturer: | Mitsubishi Motors |
| Production: | 1990–2001 |
| Predecessor: | Mitsubishi Starion |
| Class: | Sports car Grand tourer |
| Body style: | Coupe Convertible ('95–'96) |
| Platform: | Z11A Z15A Z16A |
| Engine: | 6G72 3.0 L V6 (91.1x76.0 mm) • SOHC 12v • DOHC 24v • DOHC 24v twin-turbo |
| Transmission: | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual ('94–'01) |
| Wheelbase: | 2470 mm |
| Length: | 4600 mm |
| Width: | 1840 mm |
| Height: | 1285 mm |
| Curb weight: | 1600–1710 kg |
| Fuel capacity: | 75 L |
| Similar: | Nissan 300ZX Mazda RX-7 Toyota Supra |
- For the 1970–75 GTO, see Mitsubishi Galant GTO.
The Mitsubishi GTO is the name of two different sports cars built by Mitsubishi Motors, both of which were rebadged for many export markets. The first, sold from 1970, was a two-door hardtop coupé with contemporary American muscle car styling, straight-4 engines and rear wheel drive. After production ceased, the GTO (Grand Turismo Omologato) name lay dormant for fifteen years until Mitsubishi resurrected it for their new flagship sports grand tourer, 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 1991 to 1996 with only minor detail/appearance differences.
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[edit] Overview
Following the successful showing of the Mitsubishi HSX concept car at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show,[1] Mitsubishi developed the new GTO as a technically advanced sports coupe to compete with the Mazda RX-7, Nissan 300ZX and 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]
[edit] 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 noticable "caps" on the hood to accommodate the ECS controllers at the top of the strut turrets. The European version, which was only available as the top-spec twin-turbo version, was also equipped with headlight washers and higher-spec TD04-13g turbos instead of the TD04-9b turbos, in order to allow for sustained high-speed touring on derestricted roads like the German autobahn system.[citation needed]
[edit] Model specifications
Dodge Stealth (USA, Canada)
- Engine: SOHC 12v V6
- Compression: 8.9:1
- Peak power: 119 kW (161 PS) @ 5500 rpm
- Peak torque: 250 N·m (185 ft·lbf) @ 4000 rpm
Mitsubishi 3000GT, 3000GT SL (USA); Mitsubishi GTO; Dodge Stealth ES, Stealth R/T (USA, Canada)
- Engine: DOHC 24v V6
- Compression: 10.0:1
- Peak power: 163 kW (222 PS) @ 6000 rpm
- Peak torque: 272 N·m (201 ft·lbf) @ 4500 rpm
Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo, GTO MR
- Engine: DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo
- Compression: 8.0:1
- Peak power: 206 kW (280 PS) @ 6000 rpm
- Peak torque: 427 N·m (315 ft·lbf) @ 2500 rpm
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, Dodge Stealth R/T twin-turbo (USA, Canada)
- Engine: DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo
- Compression: 8.0:1
- Peak power: 221 kW (300 PS) @ 6000 rpm
- Peak torque: 415 N·m (307 ft·lbf) @ 2500 rpm
[edit] 1994–1996
Second generation models are identified by a revised front bumper to accommodate projector beam headlights and small, round fog lights. Bigger wheel/tire combinations were offered, and the caps on the hood were eliminated, and the faux 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 6-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 in 1995, 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 hardtop convertible models of the 3000GT SL and VR-4 were sold in the USA. Customized by ASC in California, these cars had carbon fiber 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.
[edit] Model specifications
Dodge Stealth (USA, Canada)
- Engine: SOHC 12v V6
- Compression: 8.9:1
- Peak power: 119 kW (161 PS) @ 5500 rpm
- Peak torque: 250 N·m (185 ft·lbf) @ 4000 rpm
Mitsubishi 3000GT, 3000GT SL, 3000GT SL Spyder (USA); Mitsubishi GTO; Stealth R/T (USA, Canada)
- Engine: DOHC 24v V6
- Compression: 10.0:1
- Peak power: 165 kW (225 PS) @ 6000 rpm
- Peak torque: 277 N·m (205 ft·lbf) @ 4500 rpm
Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo, GTO MR
- Engine: DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo
- Compression: 8.0:1
- Peak power: 206 kW (280 PS) @ 6000 rpm
- Peak torque: 427 N·m (315 ft·lbf) @ 2500 rpm
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, 3000GT VR-4 Spyder; Dodge Stealth R/T twin-turbo (USA, Canada)
- Engine: DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo
- Compression: 8.0:1
- Peak power: 221 kW (320 PS) @ 6000 rpm
- Peak torque: 427 N·m (315 ft·lbf) @ 2500 rpm
[edit] 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. The car then soldiered on until 1999 until imports were discontinued. Production for the domestic market finally ceased in 2001.
[edit] Model specifications
Mitsubishi 3000GT (USA, Canada)
- Engine: SOHC 12v V6
- Compression: 8.9:1
- Peak power: 119 kW (161 PS) @ 5500 rpm
- Peak torque: 250 N·m (185 ft·lbf) @ 4000 rpm
Mitsubishi 3000GT SL (USA); Mitsubishi GTO
- Engine: DOHC 24v V6
- Compression: 10.0:1
- Peak power: 165 kW (225 PS) @ 6000 rpm
- Peak torque: 277 N·m (205 ft·lbf) @ 4500 rpm
Mitsubishi GTO twin turbo
- Engine: DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo
- Compression: 8.0:1
- Peak power: 206 kW (280 PS) @ 6000 rpm
- Peak torque: 427 N·m (315 ft·lbf) @ 2500 rpm
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, 3000GT VR-4 Spyder
- Engine: DOHC 24v V6 twin turbo
- Compression: 8.0:1
- Peak power: 221 kW (320 PS) @ 6000 rpm
- Peak torque: 427 N·m (315 ft·lbf) @ 2500 rpm
[edit] Trivia
- The 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]
- In the 1995 film Thunderbolt, the lead character (played by longtime Mitsubishi associate Jackie Chan) wrecks a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III with which he is due to race, and eventually receives a Mitsubishi GTO as a replacement.
- James Trivette, a character on the Walker, Texas Ranger TV show, is sometimes seen driving a Dodge Stealth.
- Brian Bloom drove a black Dodge Stealth R/T Turbo in four 1994 TV movies entitled "Bandit", based on Smokey and the Bandit. The titles were: Beauty and the Bandit, Bandit's Silver Angel, Bandit, and Bandit Goes Country
- The Knight 4000 in Knight Rider 2000 was based off a Dodge Stealth but made to look like the Pontiac Banshee Concept Car.
- In the TV show Viper, "The Outfit" drivers at the beginning of the series drove black Dodge Stealths.
- In the 1999 movie The Stray, a black second generation 3000GT is used as the primary antagonist's car.
- A red 3000GT is covered in sludge in a 2006 Pennzoil television commercial.
[edit] External links
- GTO Press Release, Mitsubishi-motors.com, August 25, 1998 (Japanese)
- Mitsubishi GTO specifications
- 3000GT/Stealth International
- Team3S
[edit] References
- ^ Motor Trend, January 1990
- ^ "3000GT/Stealth Production Numbers", Michael Reid & Jeff Lucius, stealth316.com, 2000–2004
- ^ "A Pace Car Made (Quickly) in U.S.", Doron P Levin, NY Times, February 26, 1991
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