1997 Mitsubishi GTO Coupe

Description

Mitsubishi’s GTO is a high-tech and high-performance front-engined sports coupé manufactured in Nagoya, Japan between 1990 and 1999. Replacing the Starion, the GTO moniker was only used for the Japanese domestic market and the model was known in all other markets as the 3000 GT. In North America a badge-engineered but mechanically identical version was sold as the Dodge Stealth, albeit with a wider range of engine and transmission options. A technical tour d’ force, the GTO was powered by either a naturally-aspirated or twin-turbocharged 24-valve DOHC V6 engine (rated at 168kW and 206kW respectively), along with four-wheel-steering, full-time all-wheel drive, electronically controlled suspension (ECS), active aerodynamics with automatically adjusting front and rear spoilers, and sport/touring exhaust modes. The GTO’s well-appointed cabin boasted every conceivable automated luxury feature of the period, although cloth trim rather than leather was standard in this otherwise very high-line model. During its lifetime the GTO underwent a major update in 1994, with a revised front bumper to accommodate projector beam headlights (replacing the pop-up units of the original car) and small, round projector fog lights. The second-generation GTO came with more power for the twin turbo variants (although the JDM version was unchanged at 206kW), revised 16-inch or 18-inch wheels, bigger brakes and the option of a six-speed Getrag manual gearbox. The GTO was always quick off the line and contemporary road tests showed it could out-accelerate rivals like the Mazda RX7 and Nissan 300ZX. Thanks to the hefty asking price, only a handful of 3000 GTs were delivered new in Australia, making the GTO offered here an affordable alternative.