Mitsubishi GTO

Mitsubishi 3000 GT ( U.S. version, 1990-1994 )

The Mitsubishi 3000 GT is a sports car of the Japanese Mitsubishi Motors. It was built by the summer of 1990 until mid-2000 in Nagoya (Japan). In other countries, this sports car is also known as GTO.

It is largely identical to the Dodge Stealth. As a direct competitor to the Toyota Supra, the Nissan 300ZX and partly to the Nissan Skyline GTR can be viewed. The Mitsubishi 3000 GT combines the top version, which was offered in Europe as a 3000 GT and in the U.S. as VR4, innovative for the 90 years of technical systems, such as four-wheel steering, electronically controlled shock absorbers and active front spoiler and rear wing. Along with all-wheel drive and anti -lock braking system, this should particularly enhance the car's safety.

Model history

The first version (with pop-up headlights ) was built by summer 1990 to autumn 1994, the second edition of the end of 1994 to mid- 2000.

1995 and 1996, the second generation was sold (similar to the later Mercedes -Benz SLK ) in the U.S. with electric metal folding roof. This Spyder model has - to compensate for the resulting by the roof structure more weight - by a 0.1 bar boost pressure increased 239 kW ( 325 hp).

In Germany, 1994/1995 a Beckenbauer edition as Franz Beckenbauer godfather stood and acted as advertising character. This small edition of 30 3000 GTs of the first generation was lamborghinigelb painted and came up with Remus sport exhaust, OZ Futura wheels, HKS air filter, C- line phone and a power boost to 400 hp. All 30 were signed by Beckenbauer.

The 3000 GT was built in three versions: the standard version, in the VR4 version and in the SL version. The SL version in this case represents the luxury version, which was characterized by leather trim and a glass roof. The VR4 version is the most powerful version of the 3000 GT with Twin Turbo, 5-speed Getrag transaxle gearbox (6-speed 2nd generation) and all-wheel drive. Especially for the Japanese market -based on the VR4 version lighter and more performance-enhanced MR version was built, which was equipped among other things with AP brakes.

For Europe and Australia, the body of the first model was remodeled: If washer nozzles are located at the site of the parking lights for the underlying pop-up headlights, parking lights were added together with the front turn signals on the front bumper and arranged in a line with additional mounted on the fenders reflectors. The European models also differ technically in a few points from American VR4 model. The European versions were matched for operation on the German Autobahn and we were given an improved engine cooling, transmission cooling and brake cooling and sodium-filled exhaust valves and larger turbocharger.

The engine of the Mitsubishi 3000 GT is the Mitsubishi Motors 6G72, which was already installed in the Mitsubishi Sigma. Its 210 kW (286 PS) reaches the engine in the 3000 GT by turbocharging by two parallel Mitsubishi Heavy Industries ( MHI) TD04 -9B ( U.S. and Japan ) or TD04 - 13G turbocharger (Europe and Australia).

Type history

Prototype: Mitsubishi HSX

The prototype Mitsubishi HSX will be presented in spring 1990 at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Gen1: 1990-1994

Introduction of the model with pop-up headlights. In Germany the car will only start in June 1992. In USA there was a parallel introduction of Mitsubishi 3000GT and Dodge Stealth. The basic models of the first model years were still available with 12V SOHC engine.

Gen2: 1994-2000

Optical revision of the model, such as changing over to conventional projection light, eliminating the hood hump and changes to front and rear aprons, side skirts and rear lights. The gearbox is replaced by a 6-speed Getrag model.

The Dodge Stealth, however, was discontinued in the spring of 1996.

In the summer of 1998, another facelift on the 3000GT. The differences with the EU version were:

- different climate control panel alarm not installed - reduced somewhat larger steering wheel calipers in red and partly by two brake hoses on a brake hose per caliper on the front axle

Nature or extent of the facelifts were different from the summer of 1998.

Specifications

Co-steering rear axle, electronic chassis