Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 (1997)
29 May 1997
1997 MITSU 3000GT VR-4, 3.O L, 6CYL, 2TURBO, 4WD, 4WS, 6 SPEED, 4ABS, 320HP . . . it all Adds up to PerfomanceThe '97 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 is one of the most desireable sports coupes around. Last year it outsold the Nissan 300ZX, Mazda RX-7 and the Toyota Supra. We put the Mitsu on a par with the Acura NSX, but we don't know if that car will be around next year.
The swift looking 300GT comes in three flavors: a base model non-turbo, a luxury SL, and the hot rod VR-4 that comes equipped with just about everything you can put on a sports/luxury car. Our test car came with 3 liter V-6 24 valve motor, twin turbo, 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steering, ABS, 6 speed gear box, 320 hp, plus wide tires and an electric sunroof.
There aren't many options available for the VR-4 model other than an automatic transmission, 10-disk CD auto changer.
The "full house" VR-4 model stickers at $44,590 and can hold its own, performance and creature-comfort-wise, with any sporty car on the market. The base price of a 3000GT is $27,050.
Like so may of the new performance cars, such as the Mustang Cobra and other turbo cars, the VR-4 has the motor shoehorned into the engine bay. You look at it and marvel as to how they stuck that big lump in such a small hole . . . and how the heck do you change spark plugs? The blown V6 has twin intercoolers and it pumps out 320 hp at 6000 rpm and 315 lb-ft of torque at 2500 rpm. The six speed gear box is the German Getrag manual built in North Carolina.
You can't order an automatic trans for the VR-4, as it's a thoroughbred race ready sports touring car.
The car comes with huge 18 inch chromed alloy wheels that are real show stoppers, as are the ultra low profile tires.
Creature comforts start with a 7-way power driver's seat, leather wrapped steering wheel, power windows, door locks, dual sun visors with lighted vanity mirror, cruise control and split folding rear seats.
BRAKES
Because the 3000GT is an honest-to-goodness high performance GT car, it has got to have stopping power because it's a car that doesn't want to be driven slow. No fun driving it slow. Mitubishi has equipped its GTs with disk brakes, front and rear. All rotors are internally vented and are 12.2 inches in diameter.
FOUR WHEEL STEERING
Here_s how it works: at 31 mph, whenever the VR-4 is acted upon by acceleration, braking or cornering forces, a transverse, rear mounted hydraulic cylinder begins to act on the toe control links to cause toe-in, a stabilizing condition. Hydraulically linked to the front steering box, the cylinder receives varying degrees of pressure based upon how quickly the steering wheel has been turned.
From a styling standpoint, the 3000GT hasn't changed dramatically over the past few years. A huge rear spoiler has been added, and the front end features new fog light receptacles.
Neat car, great performance. The downside? We dare any 120 lb young lady to master reverse gear. It's a bear to engage the lever. So park the car someplace that doesn't call for the use of reverse.
Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel