| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
|---|---|
| Production | 1994–2000 |
| Assembly | Mizushima plant, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Front engine, front-wheel drive |
| Engine | 4G93 1.8 L SOHC 16v I4 6A12 2.0 L DOHC 24v V6 6A12 2.0 L DOHC 24v MIVEC V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed semi-auto (1994–97) 5-speed semi-auto (1997–2000) |
| Wheelbase | 2,500 mm (98.4 in) |
| Length | 4,365 mm (171.9 in) |
| Width | 1,735 mm (68.3 in) |
| Height | 1,300 mm (51.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,100–1,210 kg (2,425–2,668 lb) |
The Mitsubishi FTO, is a front engined, front-wheel drive coupe produced by Mitsubishi Motors between 1994 and 2000. It was originally planned to be exclusively for the Japanese domestic market, although its popularity as a grey market import to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand led to eventual limited distribution through Mitsubishi's official dealers in those countries.[1] Upon its debut it won the Car of the Year Japan award for 1994–95.[2]
FTO stands for "Fresh Touring Origination".[3] The name recalls the Galant FTO coupé of 1971, one of the company's first sports cars.[4]
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The only body style was a 2-door coupé, and all FTOs were front wheel drive. Either a straight-4 or a transversely mounted V6 engine was available, mated to either a 5-speed manual or INVECS-II semi-automatic transmission. Earlier models had a four-speed version, whilst the post-facelift versions had a five-speed.
| Model name | Engine | Peak power |
|---|---|---|
| GS | 1800 cc SOHC 16 valve straight-4 | 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) at 6,000 rpm |
| GR GR Sports Package |
2000 cc DOHC 24 valve V6 | 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 7,000 rpm |
| GPX GPX Limited Edition (1995–96) GP (1996–97) |
2000 cc DOHC MIVEC 24 valve V6 | 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) at 7,500 rpm |
In commemoration of its win at the Car of the Year Japan awards in 1994, Mitsubishi introduced a limited production of the GPX Limited Edition model. It can be identified by its dandelion yellow paint scheme and "'94–95 Japan Car of the Year" emblems on the outer surface of the car's C-pillar. It also has a rear screen wiper and limited slip differential as standard. Less than 500 of these are believed to have been produced.[5]
The Nakaya-Tune FTO was a limited edition introduced in early 1997, and only 300 cars were sold. The car was tuned by Akihiko Nakaya, driver of an FTO in the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship in 1998–1999. The main differences over the standard model are a sports silencer, upgraded brake pads, carbon fibre lip spoiler, and upgraded suspension with Öhlins shock absorbers.[5]
Cars built after August 1997 are regarded as facelift models, although the only exterior change was to the front bumper, which gained a larger air intake, deeper front splitter and restyled housings for the supplementary lights. The headlamps were also changed to incorporate the vehicles side lights.[6]
The facelift also brought the GP Version R. This model was produced in Scotia White, Passion Red or Pyrenees Black only. It featured HID headlamps, blue (with white body color), black (with red body color) or red (with black body color) front seats, uprated suspension, limited slip differential,and a different rear spoiler in addition to the GPX specification. As this model was to be light weight, items such as side skirts, front fog lights, climate control, electric folding mirrors and sound insulation were left out.
An experimental electric version of the FTO was produced (called the FTOEV), utilizing high-performance lithium-ion batteries, and set a record when it covered 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) in 24 hours in December 1999.[7][8]
| Model name | Engine | Peak power |
|---|---|---|
| GS | 1800 cc SOHC 16 valve straight-4 | 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) at 6,000 rpm |
| GR | 2000 cc DOHC 24 valve V6 | 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 7,000 rpm |
| GX Sports Package GX Sports Package Aero Series |
2000 cc DOHC 24 valve V6 | 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) at 7,000 rpm |
| GPX GP Version R GP Version R Aero Series |
2000 cc DOHC MIVEC 24 valve V6 | 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) at 7,500 rpm |
The FTO won the Car of the Year Japan award for 1994–95 upon its debut, awarded in December 1994.[2] It was also voted Best Used Sports Car at the British Auto Trader Awards in November 2007.[9]
| Year | Production |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 20,074 |
| 1995 | 9,741 |
| 1996 | 2,928 |
| 1997 | 1,960 |
| 1998 | 1,033 |
| 1999 | 616 |
| 2000 | 160 |
(Sources: Fact & Figures 2000, Fact & Figures 2005, Mitsubishi Motors website)