Mitsubishi · Z16A
Mitsubishi GTO / 3000GT
Sold internationally as the 3000GT (or GTO in Japan), Mitsubishi's technology-flagship coupe packed nearly every gadget the early 90s could offer — twin turbos, AWD, four-wheel steering, active aero, and an electronically adjustable exhaust — into one genuinely ambitious grand tourer.
Spec Sheet
- Generation / Chassis Code
- Z16A
- Years Produced
- 1990–2000
- Manufacturer
- Mitsubishi
- Country
- Japan
- Body Style
- 2-door coupe/targa
- Engine
- 3.0L twin-turbo V6 (6G72)
- Horsepower
- 276–320 hp
- Torque
- 315 lb-ft
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual / 4-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Weight
- ~3,800 lbs
- 0–60 mph
- ~5.3 seconds
History
Mitsubishi built the GTO/3000GT to showcase the company's engineering capability at the height of Japan's bubble-economy performance car boom, packing in nearly every advanced feature available at the time in a bid to out-tech rivals like the Supra and 300ZX.
Why It Became Famous
It's remembered as one of the most technologically loaded Japanese cars of its era — a genuine 'kitchen sink' approach to engineering flagship status that still impresses for its ambition even if some systems added complexity without matching driving reward.
Strengths
- Twin-turbo AWD V6 delivers strong, genuinely fast all-weather performance
- Extensive standard technology (active aero, four-wheel steering, adjustable suspension) unmatched by many rivals
- Distinctive, aggressive early-90s wedge styling
- Strong parts-sharing with the Dodge Stealth, its badge-engineered American sibling
Weaknesses
- Heavy for its class, blunting some of its performance and agility
- Extremely complex systems make maintenance and repairs costly and involved
- Values and enthusiast attention lag behind the Supra and Skyline
- Aging electronics for its many advanced features can be failure-prone
Common Problems
- Timing belt service is critical and labor-intensive on the tightly packaged V6
- Active aero and four-wheel steering system faults as electronics age
- AWD transfer case and differential wear if maintenance is neglected
- Vacuum and boost control line degradation affecting twin-turbo performance
Modification Potential
Moderate — the 6G72 twin-turbo responds to boost and fuel system upgrades, though the tuning community is smaller and less mature than for the Supra's 2JZ or Skyline's RB26.
Buying Guide
Verify timing belt and active-system service history given the car's mechanical complexity, and budget for specialist labor costs on future maintenance given how tightly packaged the engine bay is.
Enthusiast Popularity Today
An underappreciated technology icon of the JDM bubble era, respected by a smaller but devoted enthusiast community who admire its engineering ambition.
Fun Facts
- It was sold in North America both as the Mitsubishi 3000GT and the near-identical Dodge Stealth
- Its active aero system included a rear wing that automatically adjusted based on speed
- Some trims featured an electronically switchable exhaust system that altered the car's exhaust note on demand
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