Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4: Remembering One of the Most Underrated GTs Ever Built

When it comes to iconic Japanese sports cars built during the 1990s, models like the R32, R33 and R34 Skyline GT-R, the A80 Supra or the FD Mazda RX-7 get all the credit. However, many enthusiasts seem to forget the 3000GT VR-4, Mitsubishi's flagship grand tourer, which was ahead of its time in terms of advanced technology.

Today, Mitsubishi is sadly a shadow of its former self. Struggling financially and lacking an identity, it currently produces painfully boring SUVs and hasn't entered a major motorsports competition in decades.

In the 1990s, it was a completely different story. Mitsubishi was one of the leading names in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and the iconic Paris-Dakar rally.

These efforts have resulted in numerous epic machines, such as the Galant VR-4, Evo Lancers and Evo Pajero.

Aside from these timeless rally-derived beasts, the Japanese manufacturer also produced some fantastic sports cars during the 1990s, the best of which was the 3000GT VR-4.

A Brief History of the 3000GT VR-4

Mitsubishi 3000GT VR\-4

Photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

After discontinuing the Starion (marketed in the United States under the Chrysler, Dodge, or Plymouth brands), Mitsubishi introduced a new concept called the HSX at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show.

A 2+2 grand tourer that received extremely positive reviews from the press and sports car enthusiasts; about a year later, the concept was transformed into the brand's all-new production model.

The new 3.0-liter V6-powered car was called the GTO in Japan, but because Mitsubishi feared the name would cause legal problems in other markets (particularly the United States), non-Japanese-spec models were given the 3000GT moniker.

In the United States, the top-of-the-line version of the 3000GT was the VR-4, a name previously used for the high-performance version of the Galant that alluded to the Viscous Realtime 4WD system.

However, apart from the rally-bred 4WD In addition to the VR-4 system, the 3000GT also featured a myriad of high-tech features that made it one of the most sophisticated GTs in its price range.

The model was produced in three distinct generations, from 1991 to 1990.

Timeless style

Mitsubishi 3000GT VR\-4 Spyder

Photo: Mecum

Like all the other iconic Japanese sports cars of the 1990s, the 3000GT was beautiful from every angle.

Designed by Masaru Suzuki, the wide, low body featured sweeping curves that made it look aggressive yet well-proportioned. The first generation featured pop-up headlights, a must for a sports car in the early 1990s, but these were replaced with fixed versions for the second and third generation models.

Unlike its standard sibling, the VR-4 received several cosmetic upgrades, most notably self-adjusting front and rear spoilers that improved aerodynamics by electronically adjusting their angles above 50 mph (80). Unfortunately, to reduce production costs, these two active aerodynamic features were discontinued after the 1996 model year.

Inside, the top model featured leather-trimmed bucket seats, an armrest, and a beautifully sculpted dashboard that, even after three decades, doesn't look dated at all.

The luxurious interior, rear seats and surprisingly large trunk gave the car the look of a true grand tourer, and it certainly lived up to that.

Powered by a powerful twin-turbo V6

Mitsubishi 3000GT VR\-4 Spyder

Photo: Bring a trailer

A grand tourer is a sporty, luxury, performance-oriented vehicle, and the VR-4 ticks all the boxes.

Under the hood, it featured the Japanese manufacturer's 6G72 V6 engine, but unlike the standard 3000GT/GTO/Stealth, the VR-4's engine was a Double crankshaft24-valve variant equipped with a pair of Mitsubishi TD04-09B turbochargers.

The most powerful engine available on the 3000GT, the twin-turbo VR-4, was initially rated at 300 hp and 308 lb-ft (417 Nm) of torque and was mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

For the second and third generation models, power was increased to 320 hp (250 kW) and 315 lb-ft (427 Nm) of torque. Additionally, the Getrag-built five-speed gearbox was replaced by a new six-speed manual gearbox developed by the German manufacturer itself.

One of the most technologically advanced grand tourers of its time

Mitsubishi 3000GT VR\-4

Photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

In addition to its 4WD system that splits torque front to rear at 45:55, active aerodynamics and powerful twin-turbo engine, the VR-4 featured three high-tech features that made it one of the most advanced grand tourers of the 1990s.

The first was an all-wheel steering system that changed the caster of the rear wheels by up to 1.5 degrees in either direction at speeds above 30 mph (48 km/h) to improve handling.

The second was the Electronically Controlled Suspension (ECS), an adaptive system that automatically adjusted the damping rate of the shock absorbers.

Finally, the VR-4 also featured an active exhaust system that allowed drivers to choose between two pre-set settings that altered the exhaust volume.

Although the latter two features were dropped in 1994 and 1995, when it was initially introduced, the 3000GT VR-4 was one of the most technologically advanced grand tourers (or sports cars) on the market.

Additionally, a limited number of VR-4s were converted by coachbuilders ASC in convertible versions called Spyder for the 1995 and 1996 model years. But, instead of a ragtop, the ASC team developed a two-piece folding hardtop, making the Spyder the first hardtop convertible available on the U.S. market since the 1950s.

A solid performer

Mitsubishi 3000GT VR\-4

Photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

As you might imagine, the 4WD system and complex electronics meant the VR-4 was quite heavy for its size.

Despite a dry weight of 1,695 kg, the VR-4 could still go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds and cover the quarter mile in 13.6 seconds at 100 mph.

This puts the top-of-the-line model in the same performance territory as the C4 Corvette ZR-1 or even the Dodge Viper.

It was also available with Dodge badges

Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo

Photo: Mecum

Like the Starion and Eclipse, the 3000GT was also marketed as the Dodge Stealth, a model imported from the Diamond Star Motors joint venture between Chrysler and Mitsubishi.

Aside from a few minor cosmetic tweaks and, of course, different badging, the 3000GT VR-4 and its Dodge counterpart, the Stealth R/T Twin-Turbo, were identical.

However, while the VR-4 received nothing but praise, the Stealth R/T Twin-Turbo sparked a major strike by the United Auto Workers Union in 1991, when Dodge announced that the model would be used as the safety car for that year's Indy 500.

Because it had been built in Japan alongside the GTO and 3000GT, the union was furious that, for the first time in history, an imported car would have to serve as the safety car.

Eventually, Dodge backed out and the Stealth was replaced by a pre-production Dodge Viper RT/10.

The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 in other markets

Mitsubishi 3000GT VR\-4

Photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

From 1991 to 1999, Mitsubishi produced just over 16,400 VR-4s and R/T Twin-Turbos. Although the model was spectacular, it was by no means cheap and American buyers continued to prefer the Corvette.

The VR-4 was never sold in Europe or Japan. For the domestic market, Mitsubishi marketed the GTO Twin Turbo, but although it featured the same V6 as the VR-4, its power was limited to 276 hp, according to the local manufacturer's gentleman's agreement that limited factory output to the aforementioned figure.

In Europe, the 3000GT was sold only with the twin-turbo V6, albeit with different turbos and a power output of 282 hp. However, the active aerodynamics, all-wheel steering and active suspension of the VR-4 were all available.

Likely because it didn't have a moddable engine like the Skyline GT-R's RB26 or the Supra's 2JZ, the 3000GT VR-4 didn't achieve the same level of fame.

Overshadowed by its rivals and its Evo siblings, the 3000GT VR-4 remains an epic 1990s grand tourer that deserves more respect.

To learn more about this largely underrated Japanese legend, we recommend watching Donut’s YouTube video below.


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