| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
|---|---|
| Production | 1999–2001 |
| Assembly | Nagoya plant, Okazaki, Aichi |
| Predecessor | Mitsubishi Debonair |
| Class | Luxury car |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | front engine, front wheel drive |
| Engine | 6G74 3.5 L V6 8A80 4.5 L V8 |
| Transmission | INVECS-II 5-speed semi auto |
| Wheelbase | 2,830 mm (111.4 in) |
| Length | 5,050 mm (198.8 in) |
| Width | 1,870 mm (73.6 in) |
| Height | 1,475 mm (58.1 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,950–2,265 kg (4,300–4,990 lb) |
| Related | Mitsubishi Dignity Hyundai Equus |
The Mitsubishi Proudia is a luxury car manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors from late 1999, positioned just below the flagship Mitsubishi Dignity limousine in the company's range. Its name is a portmanteau derived from the English word "proud", and "diamond" (referring to the company's logo) as a "fitting epithet for Mitsubishi Motors' ultimate luxury car",[1] The entire Proudia/Dignity range was designed by Mitsubishi Motors and co-manufactured with Hyundai of South Korea, who marketed their own version as the Hyundai Centennial/Hyundai Equus.[2] The Proudia was introduced as a competitor to the Nissan Cima and Toyota Celsior as a full size luxury car, however Mitsubishi chose to use a transverly installed engine with front wheel drive. Production was discontinued after only 1227 vehicles were produced during three years.
The Proudia was priced from ¥4.6 million to ¥6.4 million, and came in three specifications labelled A, B or C. A and B featured a 6G74 3497 cc GDi V6 producing 240 PS (177 kW) at 5500 rpm and 343 N·m (253 lb·ft) of torque at 2500 rpm, while specification C featured the 8A80 4498 cc GDi V8 producing 280 PS (206 kW) at 5000 rpm and 412 N·m (304 lb·ft) at 4000 rpm.[1] The car was equipped with several advanced features like CCD cameras to monitor adjacent lanes and behind the car, and a laser activated adaptive cruise control.[2] It used MacPherson struts for the front suspension and a multi-link spspension for the rear wheels.
The Dignity and Proudia's combined volumes fell far shy of Mitsubishi's estimated 300 sales per month,[1] and they were available for only fifteen months from their introduction on February 20, 2000, before Mitsubishi's financial difficulties forced the company to discontinue both models in an effort to streamline its range and reduce costs.[3] However, the Hyundai Equus proved more commercially successful and would remain in production until replaced in 2008.[4]
| Year | Production | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 383 | - |
| 2000 | 759 | 852 |
| 2001 | 85 | 97 (+1 export) |
(Sources: Fact & Figures 2000, Fact & Figures 2005, Mitsubishi Motors website)