Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
1991–1999 USDM • 6G72 Twin-Turbo V6 • All-Wheel Drive
Mitsubishi 6G72 (Twin-Turbo)
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
4-Wheel Steering (AWS)
Active Aero
Getrag 5-Speed / 6-Speed Manual
Electronic Controlled Suspension
Overview
The 3000GT VR-4 was Mitsubishi’s technological flagship and, at its peak, one of the most powerful
Japanese cars of the 1990s. It bundled a twin-turbocharged V6, full-time all-wheel drive, four-wheel
steering, active front and rear aero, and electronically controlled suspension into a single grand
tourer — features that mostly lived in far pricier European exotics at the time. (Sold in badge-engineered
form as the Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo.)
Core Specifications
| Model | Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 (GTO in Japan) |
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| Model Years (USDM) | 1991–1999 |
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| Market | USDM |
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| Vehicle Type | 2+2 grand touring sports coupe |
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| Layout | Front-engine, all-wheel drive |
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| Torque Split | Full-time AWD, approx. 45% front / 55% rear |
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| Curb Weight | Approx. 3,737 lbs |
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Engine & Powertrain
| Engine | Mitsubishi 6G72 — DOHC 24-valve twin-turbo V6 |
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| Displacement | 3.0 liters (2,972 cc) |
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| Compression Ratio | 8.0:1 |
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| Forced Induction | Twin TD04 turbochargers, dual intercoolers (one per bank) |
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| Peak Horsepower | 300 hp (1991–1993) / 320 hp (1994–1999) |
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| Peak Torque | 307–308 lb-ft (early) / 315 lb-ft (later) |
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The 1994 mid-cycle refresh raised output to 320 hp / 315 lb-ft and replaced the Getrag 5-speed with a
stronger 6-speed manual — putting peak power on par with the contemporary Toyota Supra Turbo.
Drivetrain & Performance
| Early Transmission | Getrag 5-speed manual (1991–1993) |
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| Later Transmission | Getrag 6-speed manual (1994 on) |
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| 0–60 mph | Approx. 5.0–5.8 seconds |
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| Top Speed | Approx. 159 mph |
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| Rear Differential | Limited-slip; AWS four-wheel steering |
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Model-Year Context
1991
- U.S. launch with 300 hp and the Getrag 5-speed; active aero and ECS headline the tech package.
1994
- Major refresh: 320 hp, 6-speed manual, revised front/rear styling, hood “caps” deleted.
1999
- Final U.S. model year before the 3000GT was discontinued in North America.
Factory Colors
Swatches are approximate screen renderings of representative period colors, not certified paint matches. 3000GT color names varied across model years — verify against the specific year before publishing.
Dimensions & Chassis
| Wheelbase | Approx. 97.2 in |
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| Overall Length | Approx. 180.3 in (later cars longer) |
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| Width | Approx. 72.4 in |
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| Height | Approx. 49.3 in |
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| Front Suspension | MacPherson strut with electronic control (ECS) |
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| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with electronic control (ECS) |
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| Aero | Active front air dam and rear spoiler |
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Why It Matters
The VR-4 packed more drivetrain and chassis technology than almost anything in its price class, yet it
has historically lived in the shadow of the Supra, RX-7, and GT-R. That under-appreciation is now
reversing as enthusiasts rediscover its twin-turbo AWD capability and remarkable tuning headroom.