The VR-4's engine got a boost to 320 horsepower, along with a switch from 5-speed manual shift to a 6-speed. All models wore a reshaped nose with four exposed headlamps, which replaced hidden flip-up units.
| Engine Type: | 3.0 Liter Twin Turbo Twin Intercooled V-6 |
| Horsepower: | 320 @ 6000 RPM |
| Torque: | 315 @ 2500 RPM |
| Weight/HP Ratio: | 11.8 |
| Horsepower/Liter: | 106.7 |
| Compression: | 8.0 : 1 |
| Transmission: | 6-Speed Getrag |
| Drivetrain: | Front-engine/Full time all-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Valve Train: | DOHC 24-valve |
| Curb Weight: | 3781 lbs. |
| Tires: | 245/40/ZR18 |
| All-wheel steering: | Same-phase 4 wheel steering (AWS) |
| Active Aerodynamics: | Adjustable front air-dam and rear spoiler |
| MPG (City/Hwy): | 18/24 |
|
|
97-99 Base
| Engine Type: | 3.0 Liter V-6 |
| Horsepower: | 161 @ 5500 RPM |
| Torque: | 185 @ 4000 RPM |
| Weight/HP Ratio: | 19.4 |
| Horsepower/Liter: | 53.7 |
| Compression: | 8.9 : 1 |
| Transmission: | 5-Speed |
| Drivetrain: | Front-engine/FWD |
| Valve Train: | SOHC 12-valve |
| Curb Weight: | 3131 lbs. |
| Tires: | 225/55/VR16 |
| All-wheel steering: | N/A |
| Active Aerodynamics: | N/A |
| MPG (City/Hwy): | 19/24 |
|
|
97-99 SL
| Engine Type: | 3.0 Liter V-6 |
| Horsepower: | 218 @ 6000 RPM |
| Torque: | 205 @ 4500 RPM |
| Weight/HP Ratio: | 15 |
| Horsepower/Liter: | 72.7 |
| Compression: | 10.0 : 1 |
| Transmission: | 5-Speed |
| Drivetrain: | Front-engine/FWD |
| Valve Train: | DOHC 24-valve |
| Curb Weight: | 3263 lbs. |
| Tires: | 245/45/ZR17 |
| All-wheel steering: | N/A |
| Active Aerodynamics: | N/A |
| MPG (City/Hwy): | 19/25
|
97-99 VR4
| Engine Type: | 3.0 Liter Twin Turbo Twin Intercooled V-6 |
| Horsepower: | 320 @ 6000 RPM |
| Torque: | 315 @ 2500 RPM |
| Weight/HP Ratio: | 11.7 |
| Horsepower/Liter: | 106.7 |
| Compression: | 8.0 : 1 |
| Transmission: | 6-Speed Getrag |
| Drivetrain: | Front-engine/Full time all-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Valve Train: | DOHC 24-valve |
| Curb Weight: | 3737 lbs. |
| Tires: | 245/40/ZR18 |
| All-wheel steering: | Same-phase 4 wheel steering (AWS) |
| Active Aerodynamics: | Discontinued |
| MPG (City/Hwy): | 18/24 |
|
|
3000GT Year to Year Changes
1991Mitsubishi entered the sports-car arena with its new 2+2 sport coupe. All trims came standard with a 3.0L 24-valve DOHC V6 (6G72). The Base and SL were FWD, non-turbo. The flagship VR-4 had
AWD, AWS, and a twin-turbo engine with dual intercoolers. The VR-4 only came with a 5-speed manual Getrag transmission, but the SL and Base had the option of an electronic 4-speed automatic transmission.
A driver-side airbag was standard for all trims.
Four-wheel disc brakes were standard for all trims.
Fog Lights were Standard for all trims.
ABS was Standard on VR-4 and SL, Optional on the Base.
ECS was Standard on the VR-4 and SL, not available on the Base.
Power windows and power locks Standard on VR-4 and SL, Optional on Base.
Power Driver's seat was Standard on VR-4 and SL, not available on Base.
Leather was Optional on VR-4 and SL, not available on Base.
Rear Variable Speed Intermittent Wiper was Standard on VR-4 and SL, Optional on Base.
Climate Control Standard on VR-4 and SL, not available on Base.
AC was Standard on SL and VR-4, Optional on Base.
Cruise control was Standard on VR-4 and SL, Optional on Base.
Steering wheel remote radio control was Standard on VR-4 and SL, Optional on Base. Graphic EQ and six speakers were Standard on VR-4 and SL, Optional on Base.
Active Aero was Standard on the VR-4, not available on the SL or Base.
Dual Mode Active Exhaust was Standard on the VR-4, not available on the SL or Base.
Base and midrange 3000GT models got a twin-cam, 24-valve 3.0-liter V6, rated at 222 horsepower. The flagship VR-4 had 4-wheel steering, permanent 4-wheel drive, and a twin-turbo engine with dual intercoolers that made 300 horsepower. The VR-4 came only with 5-speed manual shift, but others might have an electronic 4-speed automatic transmission. A driver-side airbag was standard. Four-wheel disc brakes were standard across the board, and antilock braking was standard on the SL and VR-4 (optional on base coupe).
Available Colors for 1991:
Jamaica Blue MetallicGlacier White PearlFiji Blue MetallicNairobi Beige MetallicMorocco Red MicaMonza RedSable Black (Only 1 recorded 3000GT VIN in this color for 1991?)1992The electrical system was revamped for 1992. The vents in the side skirts become functional, rather that purely asthetic as ther were in 1991. The blue light radio with the preprogrammed graphic equalizer appears as Standard on the VR4, Optional on the SL, not available on the Base. There were also some mechanical changes part way through the 1992 model year run. VR-4s manufactured in or after the 2nd 10-day period in November, 1991, got a more rugged transfercase with a 25-spline output shaft (previous VR-4s have an 18-spline shaft).
A glass sunroof becomes Optional on all trims (mid-late 1992 models only)
Keyless entry becomes Standard on all trims (late 1992 models only)
Except for three new paint colors, nothing changed for '92 in Mitsubishi's sport-coupe group.
Available Colors for 1992:
Panama Green MicaMorocco Red MicaAlbany Black MicaFiji Blue MetallicSandstone Gray MetallicAscot Silver MetallicGlacier White PearlMonza Red19931993 sees some significant changes to the VR-4s. Mitsubishi revamps the engine, giving it a 4-bolt main bearing cap girdle (the original used 2-bolt caps with stiffening stays on the middle 4 bolts) and a nitride-steel crankshaft (the original was cast iron or mild steel). Also, the cam angle sensors were moved from the left head (where it was user-adjustable for timing) and into the block (not adjustable).
ABS still Standard on VR-4 and SL, now not available on Base.
Power windows, power locks, AC, and Cruise Control are now Standard for all trims.
The blue light radio is now Standard on the VR-4 and SL, but six speakers and steering wheel radio controls are Standard on the Base.
Leather becomes Standard on the VR-4.
Chrome wheels are offered for the first time.
CD-Changer is offered for the first time.
Standard leather upholstery went into the VR-4 for '93, and the base coupe added some comfort features. Chrome-plated alloy wheels were offered for the first time, as was a CD changer.
Available colors for 1993:
Morocco Red MicaPanama Green MicaAlbany Black Mica (Base Only?)Zurich White MicaSandstone Gray MetallicGlacier White PearlCaracas Red1994For 1994, the 3000GT gets it’s first restyling. Exposed glass headlamps replace the flip-up units, as well as updated bumpers, side skirts, and tail light garnish. The 5-speed gives way to a 6-speed manual on the VR-4. Mitsubishi ups the boost from ~9 to ~12 lbs, resulting in a 20hp/8ftlb power bump. Mitsubishi’s Variable Induction Control System (MVIC) appears on the SL and Base DOHC. The ECU becomes a
Hybrid OBD-I/OBD-II (OBD-I with some diagnostic capability). The VR-4 gets larger brakes. The SL and Base gain 4 ftlbs of tq. The blue light radio goes away for good, to be replaced by the Infinity 8-speaker system on the VR-4 and SL. Cali-Spec cars get the addition of an EGR system.
Climate Control is no longer available on the SL.
Dual Airbags become Standard for all trims.
Dual airbags were installed in 1994, as the Mitsubishi sports coupes got a modest facelift. The VR-4's engine got a boost to 320 horsepower, along with a switch from 5-speed manual shift to a 6-speed. All models wore a reshaped nose with four exposed headlamps, which replaced hidden flip-up units.
Available colors for 1994:
Danube Blue MicaPanama Green MicaZurich White MicaMartinique Yellow PearlGlacier White PearlSorrento Red MicaCaracas RedSable Black1995The VR-4 loses it’s Active Exhaust. Sunroofs become confused- some are Electric, many are still glass with cranks. Either way, Bases still don't have one. ECS was ended half way through 95 (It seems that cars with Glass sunroofs have ECS and cars with the electric ones do not). The glass headlights are replaced with lexan units, but look almost identical.
The Infinity 8-Speaker system becomes Standard on all trims, but the Base lacks the steering wheel controls.
Costly retractable-hardtop Spyders debuted in spring 1995. Production was fairly limited. Spyder VR-4s kept their 6-speeds, Spyder SLs were all Automatic. There was no Spyder Base.
Costly retractable-hardtop Spyders debuted in spring 1995. The top was an articulated design, made of plastic composites, and production was very limited.
Available colors for 1995:
Martinique Yellow MicaSorrento Red MicaPanama Green MicaDanube Blue MicaGlacier White PearlCaracas RedSable Black1996The ECU becomes a full OBD-II and all trims get an EGR system.
The electric sunroof is Optional on All trims.
Few changes marked the coupes or the Spyders for '96.
Available colors for 1996:
Danube Blue MicaPanama Green MicaSuperior Amethyst PearlBelgium Green PearlGlacier White PearlSolano Black PearlCaracas Red1997For 1997, the 3000 gets a modest facelift, and a rear hoop spoiler for all trims (the VR-4 loses its Active Aero system). Spyders are discontinued. Dodge discontinues the Stealth, and apparently Mitsubishi feels the need to fill the void left by the Base Stealth with the Base 3000GT by giving it a 161hp SOHC version of the 6G72. They also get rid of the rear sway bar on the Base. The Non Turbo also went from 222HP to 218HP (reason unknown, possibly re-rated after the EGR addition, or possibly a change in the way power is rated?)
ABS becomes Optional on the SL, still not available on the Base.
Wheel sizes become 16in aluminum Base, 17in chrome SL and 18in chrome VR4.
Fog lights remain Standard on the VR-4 and SL, but become Optional on the Base.
Leather becomes Standard on the VR-4 and SL, Optional on the Base.
Mitsubishi Homelink 3-channel garage door opener is Standard on the VR-4 and SL, not available on the Base.
The Infinity 8-speaker system remains Standard on the VR-4 and SL, but becomes Optional on the Base which comes standard with only a 6-speaker system. Steering Wheel Controls Still not available on the Base.
Dodge Stealths dropped out of the market after 1996, but the Mitsubishi 3000 GT carried on with minor styling touch-ups. A lower-priced base coupe joined the 3000 GT lineup, carrying a single cam Mitsubishi-built 3.0-liter V6 that produced 161 horsepower. The dual-cam engine in the SL lost four horsepower.
Available colors for 1997:
Danube Blue MicaPanama Green MicaBelgium Green PearlGlacier White PearlSolano Black PearlCaracas Red1998For 1998 the electrical system and ECU were updated (different harness), and the coolant resevoir was moved to the radiator support
3000 GT sees no change for 1998.
Available colors for 1998:
Zealand Green PearlGlacier White PearlSolano Black PearlCaracas Red19991999 is marked by an aggressive front end restyling and a new rear center garnish. The VR-4 gets a huge rear combat-style wing. Also, all models ditch the faux windows in the sail panels in favor of a solid piece. Still no ABS or sunroof for the Base, but almost everything else is the same for the SL and Base models.
Fog light again become Standard on all trims.
3000 GT received cosmetic changes front and rear and VR-4 models got a huge rear spoiler. Slow sales would eventually kill the Mitsubishi sports car for the year 2000.
Available colors for 1999:
Zealand Green PearlGlacier White PearlSolano Black PearlCaracas RedThe 3000GT is discontinued (in the US) for 2000.
Dodge Stealth
The Dodge Stealth was mechanically identical
1992 Dodge Stealth: Only a handful of changes were evident for '92. A manual tilt/removable glass sunroof arrived at mid-year as a new option.
1993 Dodge Stealth: Base-model Stealths gained the lower body-sill molding formerly used only on the ES. Also, base and ES models could have a rear spoiler like the R/T.
1994 Dodge Stealth: A passenger-side airbag arrived for 1994. New front/rear styling included exposed projector style headlamps. The ES model disappeared, cutting the lineup to three: base, R/T, and R/T Turbo. The R/T Turbo got a 6-speed manual gearbox and its engine gained 20 horsepower.
1995 Dodge Stealth: The R/T Turbo could now be ordered with 18-inch chromed aluminum wheels, but few other changes arrived this year.
1996 Dodge Stealth: Leather front seats (vinyl rears) became available on base Stealths. All three models got a new body-color rear spoiler.
More Coming Soon
