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Buyer's guide

6 min read

Mitsubishi GTO

Buyer's guide & specs

By Christopher Weydert Updated Reviewed by Robert Munteanu Fact-checked
Model span
1990-2000
For sale
98
active now
Mitsubishi GTO, type E-Z16A, front view
Mitsubishi GTO, type E-Z16A, front view. The Commons description gives the type; the grade and build year are not established.
On this page
  1. Overview
  2. Key takeaways
  3. Shared traits
  4. Generation timeline
  5. Chassis codes
  6. Should you buy?
  7. JDM vs USDM
  8. Technical specs
  9. Variants & trims
  10. Gallery
  11. FAQ
  12. Sources & references

Quick answer

The Mitsubishi GTO went on sale in Japan in October 1990 as a four-wheel-drive coupe and was exported as the 3000GT. Its 6G72 V6 was rated 280 PS in the Twin Turbo and 225 PS in the naturally aspirated car.

Background

Overview

The Mitsubishi GTO is a four-wheel-drive coupe that Mitsubishi put on sale in Japan on 25 October 1990, with a 280 PS twin-turbo and a 225 PS naturally aspirated V6. Abroad it was the 3000GT, and Chrysler sold a version as the Dodge Stealth. Start with the GTO Z16A guide.

Quick read

Key takeaways

  • GTO is the Japanese name; M-BASE calls the 3000GT its export model and the Dodge Stealth its OEM car.
  • The Twin Turbo is rated 280 PS net; the US VR-4's 300 and 320 hp are another market and unit.
  • Japanese naturally aspirated cars are four-wheel drive; front-wheel drive belongs to the US-market 3000GT SL.
  • Equipment changed by date: six-speed and fixed headlights in August 1993, MR in August 1994, SR in August 1995.
  • Age is counted per car from its build date, not the model year.
From JDMBUYSELL

Import a JDM car — step-by-step guide

Read the guide

Constants

Common across all GTO generations

  • Four-wheel-drive coupe in Japan, on sale from 25 October 1990
  • 2,972 cc 6G72 V6: Twin Turbo 280 PS (net), naturally aspirated 225 PS
  • Four-wheel steering, ECS and active aero described by Mitsubishi; equipment varied by grade and date
  • Sold abroad as the 3000GT; Chrysler sold a version as the Dodge Stealth

Chassis history

Generation timeline

The Japanese GTO has one generation page, covering the Z16A and Z15A cars from October 1990 to the final revision of August 1998.

Z16A

Z16A/Z15A (1990–2000; Best Car reports sales to 2001)

Full guide →

Identification

Chassis-code reference

Generation names are broad families. The factory chassis codes below identify the variants represented in JDMBUYSELL's current Mitsubishi GTO guide data.

Z16A/Z15A (1990–2000; Best Car reports sales to 2001)
Chassis codes: Z16A and Z15A

Confirm the complete code on the vehicle's frame or VIN plate; drivetrain, body, and market variants can use different prefixes within one generation family.

Buyer's call

Should you buy a Mitsubishi GTO?

Why you'll love it

  • Four-wheel drive on every Japanese grade Mitsubishi describes a viscous-coupling full-time 4WD with a 45:55 front-to-rear split, and Motorz says all Japanese-market cars are four-wheel drive.
  • Documented equipment Mitsubishi describes ECS, four-wheel steering, active aero and active exhaust, and the catalogue record shows which grades and dates dropped them.
  • Clear dated history M-BASE and webCG date the six-speed, the MR, the SR and the final revision, so a listing can be checked against the build date.

Why you might not

  • Systems that need checking ECS, four-wheel steering and active aero all need testing. ReDriven notes that Mitsubishi no longer makes ECS controllers.
  • Parts availability Car and Driver Japan says relatively many parts are unavailable, and ReDriven calls parts availability increasingly difficult. Confirm the parts a car needs.
  • Equipment depends on the date and grade Equipment changed during the model's life and differed by grade. Check the build date, factory options and later modifications against the systems fitted to the car.

Market

Differences between JDM & USDM

The Japanese-market details, and what differs on export cars, are set out on the generation page; start with the GTO Z16A guide.

Specs

Technical specifications

Ratings are Japanese net PS from Mitsubishi and catalogue histories. The US row is a labelled comparison in horsepower.

Engine options

  • GTO naturally aspirated Oct 1990 launch; SR from Aug 1995 has the same rating

    6G72 DOHC 24-valve V6
    Displacement
    2,972 cc
    Aspiration
    Naturally aspirated
    Power
    225 PS (net) @ 6,000 rpm
    Torque
    28.0 kgf·m @ 4,500 rpm
    Transmission
    5MT or 4AT

    Full-time 4WD

  • GTO Twin Turbo Oct 1990 launch

    6G72 DOHC 24-valve V6, twin turbo, twin intercooler
    Displacement
    2,972 cc
    Aspiration
    Twin turbo
    Power
    280 PS (net) @ 6,000 rpm
    Torque
    42.5 kgf·m @ 2,500 rpm
    Transmission
    Getrag 5MT

    Full-time 4WD; Car and Driver Japan describes the engine as transverse

  • GTO Twin Turbo From Aug 1993; the Twin Turbo MR from Aug 1994 uses the same figures

    6G72 DOHC 24-valve V6, twin turbo, twin intercooler
    Displacement
    2,972 cc
    Aspiration
    Twin turbo
    Power
    280 PS
    Torque
    43.5 kgf·m
    Transmission
    Getrag 6MT

    Japanese Twin Turbo from August 1993; Twin Turbo MR from August 1994 uses the same ratings. Torque is 43.5 kgf·m, 1.0 above the launch rating; power remains 280 PS.

  • 3000GT VR-4, US market 1992 and 1993 catalogues; comparison

    6G72 DOHC 24-valve V6, twin turbo, twin intercooler Comparison
    Displacement
    2,972 cc
    Aspiration
    Twin turbo
    Power
    300 hp (net) @ 6,000 rpm
    Torque
    42.5 kgf·m @ 2,500 rpm
    Transmission
    Getrag 5MT

    Comparison: US-market 3000GT VR-4, 1992 and 1993 catalogues, rated 300 hp net. The 1994 US catalogue gives 320 hp and 43.5 kgf·m. These are export ratings, separate from the Japanese PS figures.

Lineup

Variants & trims

Grades are listed by the date each was introduced. The January 1993 special edition is reported by one catalogue historian.

Generation Trim Engine Key features
GTO (Z16A/Z15A, Japan, 1990–2000) GTO (naturally aspirated) 6G72, 225 PS Launch grade until August 1995. Full-time 4WD, 5MT or 4AT.
GTO (Z16A/Z15A, Japan, 1990–2000) GTO Twin Turbo 6G72 twin turbo, 280 PS Getrag 5MT at launch, 6MT from August 1993. Full-time 4WD; 4WS, ECS, active aero and active exhaust varied by date.
GTO (Z16A/Z15A, Japan, 1990–2000) GTO Twin Turbo MR (Z15A) 6G72 twin turbo, 280 PS From August 1994. 6MT, sport-tuned suspension; active aero, active exhaust and 4WS left out; ABS optional at introduction.
GTO (Z16A/Z15A, Japan, 1990–2000) GTO SR 6G72, 225 PS From August 1995, replacing the plain GTO. 5MT or 4AT.
GTO (Z16A/Z15A, Japan, 1990–2000) Special edition (reported) Twin Turbo or automatic GTO base January 1993, 300 cars nationwide according to M-BASE. Factory grade name unverified.

Gallery

Mitsubishi GTO, type E-Z16A, front view
Mitsubishi GTO, type E-Z16A, front view. The Commons description gives the type; the grade and build year are not established. Third party Image by Tokumeigakarinoaoshima CC BY-SA 4.0 Original file Modified: Resized
Mitsubishi GTO, type E-Z16A, rear view
Mitsubishi GTO, type E-Z16A, rear view. The Commons description gives the type; the grade and build year are not established. Third party Image by Tokumeigakarinoaoshima CC BY-SA 4.0 Original file Modified: Resized

Editorial

The buyer's read

Start with the GTO Z16A guide for chassis codes, dated changes and checks. Treat export 3000GT and Dodge Stealth figures as a separate market.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mitsubishi GTO the same car as the 3000GT?
GTO is the Japanese-market name. M-BASE calls the 3000GT the GTO's export model and the Dodge Stealth its OEM car. Specifications differ by market: US cars are rated in horsepower, and the US 3000GT SL was front-wheel drive. This site's page covers the Japanese GTO.
Which engines did the Japanese GTO have?
Both are the 2,972 cc DOHC 24-valve 6G72 V6: a twin turbo rated 280 PS (net) at launch and a naturally aspirated engine rated 225 PS. From August 1993 the Twin Turbo kept 280 PS and gained torque.
Why is the Twin Turbo rated 280 PS?
Autoc-one describes a voluntary 280 PS restraint among Japanese makers, reported for 1989 to 2004. It was not a statutory limit, and no source here shows measured output above the rating. The US VR-4 figures of 300 and 320 hp are a different market and unit.

25 sources cited below

Citations

Sources & references

Sources (25)
  1. Mitsubishi Motors Japan: vehicle history, GTO — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Verified
  2. Mitsubishi Motors Japan: service campaign SC059, GTO (turbo) manual transfer — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Verified
  3. Mitsubishi Motors Facts & Figures 2000 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Verified
  4. Mitsubishi Motors Facts & Figures 2005 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Verified
  5. Mitsubishi Motors Japan FAQ: engines with timing belts and chains — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Verified
  6. M-BASE No. 144: Mitsubishi GTO — Miki Press (三樹書房) Verified
  7. M-BASE No. 145: Mitsubishi 3000GT (GTO export model) — Miki Press (三樹書房) Verified
  8. Mikipress: Mitsubishi Motors history book preview — Miki Press (三樹書房) Verified
  9. webCG: Mitsubishi changes the GTO's exterior (31 August 1998) — webCG Verified
  10. Best Car: Mitsubishi GTO used-car market report — Best Car web Verified
  11. Motorz: Mitsubishi GTO — Motorz Verified
  12. Car and Driver Japan: Mitsubishi GTO buyer's guide — Car and Driver Japan Verified
  13. Autoc-one: monster-engined sports cars — Autoc-one Verified
  14. Japanese Nostalgic Car: 25 Year Club, Mitsubishi GTO — Japanese Nostalgic Car Verified
  15. ReDriven: used Mitsubishi GTO/3000GT review — ReDriven Verified
  16. Auto Express: Mitsubishi 3000GT buying guide and review — Auto Express Verified
  17. 49 CFR 591.5, declarations required for importation — eCFR Verified
  18. NHTSA HS-7 declaration — NHTSA Verified
  19. EPA: Overview of EPA Import Requirements for Vehicles and Engines — US EPA Verified
  20. EPA: Learn about importing vehicles and engines — US EPA Verified
  21. Transport Canada: importing vehicles purchased outside the United States — Transport Canada Verified
  22. Transport Canada: importing older vehicles into Canada — Transport Canada Verified
  23. Wikimedia Commons: Mitsubishi GTO (E-Z16A) front — Wikimedia Commons Verified
  24. Wikimedia Commons: Mitsubishi GTO (E-Z16A) rear — Wikimedia Commons Verified
  25. Motor-Fan: Mitsubishi GTO model and grade list — Motor-Fan Verified

Sources last verified:

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