Mitsubishi GTO

The Mitsubishi GTO was originally launched in 1970 as a part of the Galant family (when it was called the Mitsubishi Colt Galant GTO) which was sold halfway through the 1970s and the GTO name would not return until 1990 as its own model.

In 1990, Mitsubishi developed a sport coupe to compete in the $40,000 class with the likes of the Toyota Supra, Mazda RX-7, Nissan 300ZX, Chevrolet Corvette, and low end Porsches. The car that resulted was the Mitsubishi GTO, and it reigned as Mitsubishi’s flagship sports car from 1991-1999. The GTO was named the Mitsubishi 3000GT in the United States and Europe in order to avoid confusion and anger amongst fans of the Ferrari GTO sports car series and the Pontiac GTO muscle car (most Pontiac GTO fans consider Mitsubishi's appropriation of the GTO name sacrilegious). Built in Nagoya, Japan, the GTO was also sold in the US by the Chrysler Corporation with its own body shape as the Dodge Stealth from 1991 to 1996.

The Mitsubishi 3000GT was built in three major versions: base, SL (Sport Luxury), and VR-4. Japanese customers also had special lightened and tuned-up MR (Mitsubishi Racing) versions of the GTO. The Dodge Stealth came in base, ES, R/T, and R/T Twin Turbo versions. The base versions of all model year Dodge Stealths and Mitsubishi 3000GTs from model years 1997-1999 were powered by a 3-liter naturally-aspirated single camshaft V6 engine that created 162 horsepower (121 kW). From 1991-1996, the base model Mitsubishi 3000GT used a DOHC V6 creating an advertised 222 horsepower, which created some difficulty for Mitsubishi in convincing customers to pay the larger price tag on the SL model. The SL (and Stealth R/T) was essentially a luxury version of the base model, with extras such as leather seats, sunroof, and for the Dodge version more detailed body styling. However the main difference was a DOHC engine that offered 222 hp (166 kW). The Stealth ES contained the more powerful (R/T) engine inside the less detailed (base) body, and was only produced from 1991 to 1993. All base, SL, ES, and R/T models had a choice of a 5-speed manual or an automatic transmission, and came with standard front wheel drive. The VR-4, MR, and R/T Twin Turbo models had a twin turbocharged version of the DOHC V6 that created 300 hp (1991-1993, 1994-1999 had 320 hp), all wheel drive, four wheel steering, and a Getrag 6-speed manual transmission (5-speed in 1991-1993 versions). The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 also had an electronically actuated rear spoiler and a movable air dam under the front fascia from 1991-1996.

These figures yielded impressive performance: 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, and the 1/4 mile in 13.6 seconds @ 100.5 mph according to Motor Trend. The car also had a very impressive 155 mph top speed. Unfortunately, due to the all wheel drive system, the car was also heavy at 3,700+ lbs. This weight kept the car from excelling in sprints, however, gave the car great agility in cornering and in harsh weather.

The car's underpinnings were essentially the same throughout its lifespan, but the exterior went through three alterations after the car was first released in 1991. The car went through numerous "facelifts" through the next couple of years, until U.S. production stopped in 1999 (the other 2 body changes were overseas). Production overseas continued, but no new models were available to the US directly. Mitsubishi's reluctance to create a new chassis for the car and the emergence of the well-received Mitsubishi Eclipse caused the GTO to be discontinued in 2001. The car continues to have a strong fan following.