Mitsubishi 3000GT (GTO)/Dodge Stealth

This is another fine car produced by Mitsubishi.

Following the successful showing of the Mitsubishi HSX concept car at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, Mitsubishi developed the new GTO as a technically advanced sports coupe to compete with the Mazda RX-7, Nissan 300ZX, 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.

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, 3000GT (Europe), 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 Spyder had 17" with higher profile tires to handle the additional 400 pounds). 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, 3000GT(Europe); 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.

Mitsubishi 3000GT