It has been known for ages, that the best sports cars are produced by Ferrari. Behind him were cars like the Lotus, Lamborghini or Porsche. The prices of the models here reach astronomical values, and the prestige of driving this type of car is in a class of its own. No wonder then, that the Japanese also wanted to release their Ferrari idea into the world. A formidable weapon from the Land of the Rising Sun is presented in 1989 Mitsubishi of the year 3000 GT.
How does it happend, that cars under the sign of the three diamonds are so eager, for expensive sports cars, purchased? Well, they combine several undeniable advantages: have a very successful and eye-catching design, have the latest design solutions, provide good performance and – what is the most important – they are not astronomically expensive.
Mitsubishi 3000 GT is the twin of the Dodge Stealth. Both cars are virtually the same externally. Dodge is offered in the US, while Mitsubishi is intended for the European market.
The most common are two versions of the car: three-liter front-wheel drive and models with turbocharging and four-wheel drive. Both engines are V-engines, with six cylinders. Six-ten degree cylinder bifurcation angle ensures vibration-free operation. Both heads are equipped with two camshafts that control four valves per cylinder. Due to the variable geometry of the intake system, the weaker engine develops torque harmoniously over the entire rev range. Maximum power 224 KM is achieved at 6000 obr./min, while significant, for it is equal 275 Nm torque at speed 4500 obr./min. The engine is powered by a Mitsubishi ECI injection system specially developed by Mitsubishi. More powerful of the engines, with the designation 6G 72, is equipped with two turbochargers; one for each row of cylinders. Behind the turbochargers there are charge air coolers, which allow you to additionally increase the power. Thanks to these solutions, the engine power increased to 286 MILES, a moment until 407 Nm. What is most interesting, however, the rotational speed of the maximum torque has dropped to 2500 obr./min, This results in excellent engine dynamics from the lowest revs. Admittedly, the great flexibility of the engine is not that, what designers of sports cars strive for the most, but it makes driving this car much more enjoyable.
One of the three boxes can work with the engine. In the weaker version, there is an option of a manual five-speed gearbox or a four-speed automatic. The turbocharged engine is equipped with a five-speed gearbox- or six-speed. In each of the gearboxes there is also an American variant with slightly shorter gear ratios.
The vast majority of cars have permanent all-wheel drive. The drive is split by a central differential with a viscous clutch. The rear axle is also equipped with a viscous clutch, which allows the maximum use of the potential of the drive system. However, there are a number of examples from the American market on the market, equipped with front-wheel drive only. Second hand, which distinguishes the European version from the American version, the rear wheels are bolted.
On all models, the wheels in the front suspension are guided by shock struts with a coaxial spring and transverse triangular arms. The rear suspension varies from version to version: the single-wheel drive model has double lower and one upper transverse wishbones, and coil springs, while in the car with all-wheel drive, the suspension is enriched with a linkage system. Both axles have stabilizers to reduce body roll when cornering.
The very aggressive line of the body corresponds to the excellent performance of the car. The weaker version has a maximum speed of approx 230 km/h, while the more powerful models easily reach the 250 km/h. The acceleration of the turbo version is impressive, which reaches the "hundred" in 5,9 seconds.
Mitsubishi 3000 GT is common, for a sports car, guest on stock exchanges. Mainly copies imported from overseas or from Germany go to Poland. Unfortunately, they are often accident cars. Use of Mitsubishi, admittedly, it is not as expensive as in the case of a Porsche, but when deciding to buy a car, you must take into account not only the price, which you may find attractive, but also the costs of servicing and maintaining such a car. There are no problems with the availability of spare parts. However, you have to wait up to two weeks for the less popular ones.