Mitsubishi FTO
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mitsubishi FTO | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
| Production | 1994–2000 |
| Assembly | Mizushima plant, Kurashiki, Okayama |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Engine | 4G93 1.8 L SOHC 16v I4 6A12 2.0 L DOHC 24v V6 6A12 2.0 L DOHC 24v MIVEC V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed semi-auto (1994–97) 5-speed semi-auto (1997–2000) |
| Wheelbase | 2500 mm |
| Length | 4365 mm |
| Width | 1735 mm |
| Height | 1300 mm |
| Curb weight | 1100–1210 kg |
| Fuel capacity | 60 litres |
| Similar | Mitsubishi Eclipse |
The Mitsubishi FTO, is a front engined, front wheel drive sports car produced by Mitsubishi Motors between 1994 and 2000. It was originally planned to be exclusively for the Japanese domestic market, although its popularity as a grey market import to the United Kingdom and Australia led to eventual limited distribution through Mitsubishi's official dealers in those countries.[1] Upon its debut it won the Car of the Year Japan award for 1994–95, awarded on December 2, 1994.[2]
FTO stands for "Fresh Touring Origination", and Mitsubishi claims it is "a touring model overflowing with freshness, youthfulness, [and] originality."[3] The name recalls the Galant Coupe FTO model of 1971, one of the company's first sports cars.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Models
The only body style was a 2-door coupé, and all FTOs were front wheel drive. Either a straight-4 or a transversely mounted V6 engine was available, mated to either a 5-speed manual or INVECS-II semi-automatic transmission. Earlier models had a four-speed version, whilst the post-facelift versions had a five-speed.
[edit] October 1994–August 1997
| Model name | Engine | Peak power |
|---|---|---|
| GS | 1800 cc SOHC 16 valve straight-4 | 125 PS at 6,000 rpm |
| GR GR Sports Package |
2000 cc DOHC 24 valve V6 | 170 PS at 7,000 rpm |
| GPX GPX Limited Edition (1995–96) GP (1996–97) |
2000 cc DOHC MIVEC 24 valve V6 | 200 PS at 7,500 rpm |
In commemoration of its win at the Car of the Year Japan awards in 1994, Mitsubishi introduced a GPX Limited Edition version. It can be indentified by its dandelion yellow paint scheme and "'94–95 Japan Car of the Year" emblems on the outer surface of the car's C-pillar. It also has a rear screen wiper and limited slip differential as standard. Less than 500 of these are believed to have been produced.[5]
The Nakaya-Tune FTO was a limited edition introduced in early 1997, and only 300 cars were sold. The car was tuned by Akihiko Nakaya, driver of an FTO in the Japanese GT300 motor racing series in 1998–1999. The main differences over the standard model are a sports muffler, uprated brake pads, carbon fibre lip spoiler, and uprated suspension with Öhlins shock absorbers.[5]
[edit] August 1997–July 2001
Cars built after August 1997 are regarded as facelift models, although the only exterior change was to the front bumper, which gained a larger air intake, deeper front splitter and restyled housings for the supplementary lights.[6]
| Model name | Engine | Peak power |
|---|---|---|
| GS | 1800 cc SOHC 16 valve straight-4 | 125 PS at 6,000 rpm |
| GX Sports Package GX Sports Package Aero Series |
2000 cc DOHC 24 valve V6 | 180 PS at 7,000 rpm |
| GPX GP Version R GP Version R Aero Series |
2000 cc DOHC MIVEC 24 valve V6 | 200 PS at 7,500 rpm |
An electric version, the FTO-EV, was produced by Mitsubishi Motors in 1998 as an experimental vehicle. The car utilised high-performance lithium ion battery power and set a multiple-charge 24-hour distance world record.
[edit] Annual production
| Year | Production |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 20,074 |
| 1995 | 9,741 |
| 1996 | 2,928 |
| 1997 | 1,960 |
| 1998 | 1,033 |
| 1999 | 616 |
| 2000 | 160 |
| Total | 36,512 |
(Sources: Fact & Figures 2000, Fact & Figures 2005, Mitsubishi Motors website)
[edit] Films and video games
An FTO appeared in the movies Rumble in the Bronx and Thunderbolt with Jackie Chan, and the video games Enthusia Professional Racing, Forza Motorsport, Juiced, Metropolis Street Racer, and all four of the Gran Turismo series, also this car was in Tokyo Extreme Racer Zero and Tokyo Extreme Racer 3.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Review, Tom Barnard, Auto Express, 1999
- ^ History: 1994 (Japanese), JCOTY website
- ^ Fact & Figures 2000, Mitsubishi Motors website
- ^ "General FTO Information - History", Steve Hemming, Mitsubishi-FTO.org
- ^ a b "General FTO Information - Limited Editions", Steve Hemming, Mitsubishi-FTO.org
- ^ "Facelift Front Bumper", Steve Hemming, Mitsubishi-FTO.org
[edit] External link
- Mitsubishi FTO specifications, specs.amayama.com website
