1. Overview

2. 1990–1993 Z16A

3. 1994–1997 Z15A (2WS) and Z16A (4WS) {{anchor|Spyder}}
    Reception 

4. 1997–2000 Z15AM

5. All years Z11A

6. Gallery

7. References
     Notes    Workshop manuals  

8. External links

The Mitsubishi GTO is a front-engine, all-wheel drive 2+2 hatchback sports coupé manufactured and marketed by Mitsubishi for model years (MY) 1990-1999, across a single generation with one facelift. Manufactured in Nagoya, Japan, the four passenger coupés were marketed in the Japanese domestic market (JDM) as the GTO, globally as Mitsubishi 3000GT and in North America for MY 1995-1996 as the Dodge Stealth — the latter as a badge engineered, mechanically identical captive import. As a collaborative effort between Chrysler and its Japanese partner, Mitsubishi Motors, Chrysler was responsible for the Stealth's exterior styling.^[1][2]

The GTO, 3000GT and Stealth were noted for their transverse 3-liter, 24-valve V6 engines (naturally aspirated or with twin-turbochargers), active aerodynamics (automatically adjusting front and rear spoilers), four-wheel-steering, full-time all-wheel-drive and adaptive suspension. ^[2] Mitsubishi also marketed a retractable hardtop variant, engineered and converted from coupé models in California by ASC^[3] and marketed as the GTO Spyder or VR4 Spyder for MY 1995–1996.^[4] – the first fully automated retractable hardtop since the 1959 Ford Skyliner.^[5]

The JDM model took its name from the Galant GTO, a two-door hardtop coupé marketed by the company in the early 1970s, which in turn took its name from the motorsport homologation regulation, originally Gran Turismo Omologato — or GTO.

Overview

Following the successful showing of the Mitsubishi HSR and Mitsubishi HSX concept cars at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show,^[6] Mitsubishi developed the new GTO as a 2+2 seater sports coupe to compete with the Honda NSX, Mazda Cosmo, Nissan 300ZX, Skyline GT-R, Subaru SVX and the Toyota Supra.

Each was built on the same production line at Mitsubishi's plant in Nagoya, Japan.^[7] Its Japanese introduction coincided with the softening Japanese economy, subsequently known as the "bubble economy".

JDM GTOs were marketed at Mitsubishi's Car Plaza retail chain, with JDM buyers paying additional annual road tax as well as a tax for exceeding JDM exterior dimension regulations.

A Dodge Stealth was scheduled as a 1991 Indianapolis 500 pace car, until the United Auto Workers (UAW) rejected it because of its Japanese rather than US-manufacture. A prototype Dodge Viper was substituted.^[8]

1990–1993 Z16A

First generation Mitsubishi models were internally designated Z16A and incorporated full-time four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, active aerodynamics with automatically adjusting front and rear spoilers, sport/tour exhaust modes and electronically controlled suspension (ECS).^[9] The GTO, 3000GT and Stealth featured pop-up headlights and articulated blister caps on the hood to accommodate the ECS controllers at the top of the strut turrets. The Dodge Stealth featured a signature cross-hair front bumper fascia and crescent-shaped rear spoiler — and did not include active aerodynamics. Mitsubishi models featured a front active air dam on 3000GT VR4, discontinued on later models.

Only US 3000GT models could be configured with front (FWD) rather than all-wheel drive (AWD). In Japan, the base GTO SR included AWD; no FWD version was offered in Japan. The GTO SR made the same power as the US spec 3000GT SL and was offered with the same 5 speed manual or 4 speed automatic. The JDM did not receive the SOHC V6 standard on the base model US only Dodge Stealth and US spec 3000GT. The JDM received the N/A DOHC V6 and Twin Turbo DOHC V6.

In Europe, only the Twin Turbo model was offered. Unlike the Japanese and US Twin Turbo models, the EU spec model received the 13G turbo engine rated at 280 BHP. Mitsubishi included the 13G turbos for the European Autobahn, making the EU spec GTO Twin Turbo arguably the fastest stock Twin Turbo version. Mitsubishi released a final small edition of 30 first generation GT3000, branded as "Beckenbauer Edition" in 1994, honoring Franz Beckenbauer. All GT3000 Beckenbauer Edition came in yellow and were equipped with Remus sports exhaust, OZ Futura rims, HKS air filter, a model number plate, C-net mobile phone system and a power increase to 294 kW (400 hp)^[10]. All 30 were signed by Beckenbauer.

1994–1997 Z15A (2WS) and Z16A (4WS) {{anchor|Spyder}}

Second generation models were internally designated Z15A (2WS) and Z16A (4WS) and featured a revised front bumper to accommodate projector beam headlights and small, round projector fog lights. The caps on the hood were replaced with integrated sheet metal blisters, and revised side air vents and rear bumpers. The interior was redesigned with dual air bags, a new audio system, and revised air conditioning refrigerant. The engines in the twin-turbo models received a slight boost to {{convert|320|hp|0|abbr=on}} and a boost in torque from {{convert|307|to|315|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}}.

The VR-4 now included a six-speed Getrag manual transmission with revised gear ratios. Larger wheel/tire combinations were provided beginning in 1995. 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 the standard 17" with higher profile tires from 1994 to handle the additional {{convert|400|lb|abbr=on}}). With subsequent price increases, features were discontinued: the tunable exhaust was phased out after MY 1994, the ECS after MY 1995, and the active aerodynamics disappeared after MY 1996. MY 1996 marked final production of the Stealth.

Reception

Road tests at the time showed the second generation 3000GT VR-4 to be capable of 60mph in 4.8 seconds, faster than the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, Toyota Supra Twin Turbo, and Mazda RX7 Twin Turbo. The quarter mile was achieved in as low as 13.4 seconds. The Japanese MR versions were capable of sub 13 second quarter mile times stock.

Chrysler and the Mitsubishi worked with ASC to engineer and convert 3000GTs into retractable hardtops, marketed as the Spyder VR4 for MY 1995-1996.

In 1995 Mitsubishi's 3000GT Spyder was available in four color combinations: red with grey leather interior, black with ivory leather interior, white pearl with grey, and martinique yellow with ivory leather interior. In 1996 the 3000GT Spyder was available in red with tan interior, black pearl with tan leather, white pearl with tan leather interior, and green pearl with tan leather. SL Spyders were only available with an automatic transmission while the VR4 Spyder was only available with a 6 speed manual.

1997–2000 Z15AM

The SOHC 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 rainbow shaped arched type wing. In 1999 the car received another exterior makeover, including a new aggressive front bumper, headlamps, turn signals, sail panels, and a true inverted airfoil spoiler coined the "Combat Wing" for the 1999 VR-4 to distinguish it from previous models. 1999 was the final year the 3000GT was available in the U.S. market. Production for the Japanese domestic market finally ceased in 2000, with the last two cars sold the following year.^[11]

All years Z11A

The Z11A chassis code was used for the 3000GT ES and SL, and the base Dodge Stealth. The Mitsubishis lacked the "twin turbo" writing on the faux windows. The Dodges had different bumpers than the turbo cars. Otherwise the non-turbo cars looked cosmetically like the turbo cars. These cars were front wheel drive and lacked four-wheel steering and active aero. They came with a 5 speed manual (F5M33) or with automatic transmissions. Both the DOHC and SOHC 6G72 V6 was offered in this platform, with the DOHC being the more powerful.

Gallery

References

Notes

=== Bibliography ===

• {{Jackson-JSC | pages=6–11, 32–43}}

External links

• GTO press release, Mitsubishi-motors.com, August 25, 1998 (Japanese)
• {{dmoz|Recreation/Autos/Makes_and_Models/Mitsubishi/3000-GT/}}

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