Mitsubishi GTO

Generations: what actually changed when you buy a later car

Buying a later generation does not buy a different displacement or a different cylinder count. It buys 10 Nm more on the turbo from 2 generation onward, 0.2 s on the measured naturally aspirated AWD times, a sixth gear only on the 280 hp 3.0 MT, and, at restyle, less kerb weight on the AWD manuals.

1 generation (1990-10-01 to 1993-07-31), Coupe, 5 versions. This is the only generation where the 3.0 MT 280 hp Turbo has a measured top speed: 256 km/h. Its 0–100 is 6.2 s. The naturally aspirated 3.0 MT AWD 225 hp is 8.4 s to 100 km/h and 236 km/h; the 3.0 AT AWD 225 hp is 9.5 s and 231 km/h. Turbo torque here is 416 Nm at 2500 rpm, not the 426 Nm of later turbos. Kerb weight of that turbo is 1710 kg.

2 generation (1993-08-01 to 1998-07-31), Coupe, 5 versions. Same 2972 cm³ Gasoline 6-cylinder V-shaped 4-valves-per-cylinder family. The 3.0 MT 280 hp Turbo still uses Manual 6 and AWD, but torque rises from 416 Nm to 426 Nm (+10 Nm). 0–100 improves from 6.2 s to 6.0 s (−0.2 s). Top speed for this turbo is not measured. The 3.0 MT AWD 225 hp improves from 8.4 s to 8.2 s (−0.2 s) and stays at 236 km/h. The 3.0 AT AWD 225 hp improves from 9.5 s to 9.3 s (−0.2 s) and stays at 231 km/h. Turbo kerb weight stays 1710 kg. The 3.0 MT AWD 225 hp is 10 kg lighter than in 1 generation (1640 kg versus 1650 kg). The 3.0 AT AWD 225 hp is 10 kg lighter (1680 kg versus 1690 kg).

2 generation, restyling (1998-08-01 to 2001-08-31) belongs inside 2 generation, Coupe, 5 versions. Engine labels do not jump: still 225 hp or 280 hp on 2972 cm³. What the restyle changes in the table is mass and missing performance rows. The restyle 3.0 MT 280 hp Turbo is 1680 kg — 30 kg less than the 1710 kg turbo in 2 generation and 1 generation (1680 / 280 = 6.00 kg/hp versus 1710 / 280 = 6.11 kg/hp). The restyle 3.0 MT AWD 225 hp is 1600 kg, the lightest GTO in the whole catalogue (1600 / 225 = 7.11 kg/hp). 0–100 and top speed for both restyle AWD cars and the restyle turbo are not measured. The restyle 3.0 MT FWD 225 hp keeps the same 6.5 s, 220 km/h, and 10.8 / 7.5 / 8.9 L/100 km as earlier FWD manuals.

Buying a later generation does not buy a different displacement or a different cylinder count. It buys 10 Nm more on the turbo from 2 generation onward, 0.2 s on the measured naturally aspirated AWD times, a sixth gear only on the 280 hp 3.0 MT, and, at restyle, less kerb weight on the AWD manuals.

Engine specs: every 3.0 AT and 3.0 MT in the catalogue

All versions use Gasoline, 2972 cm³, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 4 valves per cylinder, distributed injection (multi-point), fuel 95. Bore × stroke is 91.1 × 76. Naturally aspirated cars use compression 10 and No boost; Turbo cars use compression 8. Engine position, where measured, is Front, transverse; for every FWD row it is not measured. Power per litre: 225 hp / 2.972 L ≈ 75.7 hp/L; 280 hp / 2.972 L ≈ 94.2 hp/L (+18.5 hp/L, +55 hp).

Two 3.0 MT cars at 225 hp are not the same car: AWD rows list 274 Nm, FWD rows list 275 Nm. Two 3.0 AT cars at 225 hp split the same way. Two 3.0 MT cars at 280 hp are not the same either: 1 generation has 416 Nm and Manual 5; 2 generation and the restyle have 426 Nm and Manual 6.

Performance, 0–100, and mpg: measured versus not measured

0–100 km/h, where it exists:

• 3.0 MT 280 hp Turbo, 2 generation: 6.0 s (fastest measured GTO).
• 3.0 MT 280 hp Turbo, 1 generation: 6.2 s (+0.2 s versus 2 generation).
• 3.0 MT 225 hp FWD, all three generations: 6.5 s.
• 3.0 MT 225 hp AWD, 2 generation: 8.2 s (1.7 s slower than the FWD 225 hp 3.0 MT).
• 3.0 MT 225 hp AWD, 1 generation: 8.4 s.
• 3.0 AT 225 hp AWD, 2 generation: 9.3 s (1.1 s slower than the AWD manual in the same generation).
• 3.0 AT 225 hp AWD, 1 generation: 9.5 s.
• Restyle 3.0 AT AWD, restyle 3.0 MT AWD 225 hp, restyle 3.0 MT 280 hp, and every 3.0 AT FWD: 0–100 not measured.

Top speed, where it exists:

• 3.0 MT 280 hp Turbo, 1 generation: 256 km/h (highest measured).
• 3.0 MT 225 hp AWD: 236 km/h in 1 generation and 2 generation.
• 3.0 AT 225 hp AWD: 231 km/h in 1 generation and 2 generation (−5 km/h versus the AWD manual).
• 3.0 MT 225 hp FWD: 220 km/h in all three generations (−16 km/h versus AWD NA manual, −36 km/h versus 1 generation turbo).
• All other versions, including the restyle turbo: top speed not measured.

Fuel economy is measured on one specification only: 3.0 MT 225 hp FWD, every generation — 10.8 L/100 km city, 7.5 highway, 8.9 combined. With a 75 L tank that combined figure implies about 75 / 8.9 ≈ 8.4 tankfuls per 1000 km of mixed driving, or roughly 843 km per tank if you could hold the combined number. For every AWD car, every Automatic, and every 280 hp 3.0 MT, city / highway / combined mpg is not measured. CO2 is not measured on all 15 versions.

Arithmetic that matters when choosing:

• Turbo versus NA on the same 2972 cm³: +55 hp, +142 Nm in 1 generation (416 − 274), +152 Nm later (426 − 274). Peak torque arrives at 2500 rpm instead of 4500 rpm.
• FWD 225 hp 3.0 MT versus AWD 225 hp 3.0 MT (2 generation): 6.5 s versus 8.2 s. The FWD car is quicker to 100 km/h on paper even though it has 1 Nm more and the same 225 hp; it is also 16 km/h slower at the top (220 versus 236).
• Automatic versus Manual on AWD 225 hp (2 generation): 9.3 s versus 8.2 s, 231 versus 236 km/h, 1680 kg versus 1640 kg (+40 kg).
• 2 generation turbo versus 1 generation turbo: +10 Nm, −0.2 s to 100 km/h, sixth gear instead of fifth, same 1710 kg, top speed no longer measured.

Weight, dimensions, tank: kg per horsepower

Ground clearance is 145 mm on every version. Fuel tank is 75 L on every version. Wheel size is not measured on every version. Gross weight is not measured on every version. Length, width, and wheelbase are not measured in this dataset. Front and rear suspension, where listed, are Independent, spring. Front brakes are Ventilated disc; rear brakes use the catalogue label Disc ventilated.

Kerb weight and kg/hp (only where mass is measured):

The lightest GTO is the restyle 3.0 MT 225 hp AWD at 1600 kg. The heaviest measured cars are the 1 generation and 2 generation 3.0 MT 280 hp at 1710 kg. The restyle turbo cuts 30 kg off that pair and posts the best kg/hp in the catalogue (6.00). The worst measured kg/hp is the 1 generation 3.0 AT 225 hp AWD at 7.51 kg/hp. Across the line, going from 225 hp AWD manual to 280 hp turbo adds 60 kg in the restyle (1600 → 1680) and 70 kg in 2 generation (1640 → 1710) for +55 hp.

Which version to choose

Buy the 280 hp 3.0 MT if the point is power. It is the only Turbo, the only 206 kW, the only 416–426 Nm. In 2 generation it is the only 6.0 s car. In 1 generation it is the only 256 km/h car. Specific output is 94.2 hp/L versus 75.7 hp/L on every 225 hp row. The restyle 3.0 MT 280 hp is the lightest turbo (1680 kg) but its 0–100 and top speed are not measured, so if you need a timed car, the 2 generation 3.0 MT 280 hp (6.0 s, 1710 kg) is the one with a clock. The 1 generation 3.0 MT 280 hp trades 10 Nm and 0.2 s for a measured 256 km/h and a 5-speed instead of a 6-speed.

Buy the 225 hp 3.0 MT FWD if the point is a measured sprint without Turbo, and the only mpg numbers. 6.5 s to 100 km/h is 1.7 s quicker than the 2 generation AWD 3.0 MT 225 hp (8.2 s) and only 0.5 s slower than the 2 generation turbo (6.0 s). Combined use is 8.9 L/100 km; every other GTO’s consumption is not measured. The cost on paper is FWD instead of AWD, 220 km/h instead of 236 km/h, and engine position not measured. This specification does not change its 6.5 s / 220 km/h / 8.9 L/100 km figures from 1 generation through the restyle.

Buy the 225 hp 3.0 MT AWD if you want No-boost AWD and a fifth gear. 274 Nm, 225 hp, 5 speeds. In 2 generation: 8.2 s, 236 km/h, 1640 kg. In 1 generation: 8.4 s, 236 km/h, 1650 kg. In the restyle: 1600 kg — the lightest AWD GTO — but 0–100 and top speed not measured. Versus the FWD 3.0 MT 225 hp you give up 1.7 s to 100 km/h (where both are measured) and you gain AWD plus 16 km/h of measured top speed.

Buy a 3.0 AT only if Automatic 4 is the requirement. Both AWD and FWD 3.0 AT cars stay at 225 hp. The measured AWD automatics are the slowest GTO times: 9.3 s and 231 km/h in 2 generation, 9.5 s and 231 km/h in 1 generation. That is 1.1 s and 5 km/h behind the matching AWD 3.0 MT, and 40 kg heavier in 2 generation (1680 versus 1640 kg) and 40 kg heavier in 1 generation (1690 versus 1650 kg). Every 3.0 AT FWD has 0–100, top speed, fuel use, and kerb weight not measured. There is no 280 hp Automatic in this catalogue.

Do not treat “3.0 MT” as one car. In each generation the name covers a 225 hp FWD, a 225 hp AWD, and a 280 hp Turbo AWD. Likewise 3.0 AT is two cars: 225 hp AWD and 225 hp FWD. Distinguish them by horsepower, drive, and generation, or the modification links will point at the wrong row.

Reliability, problems, engine oil, engine code, and engine swap are not measured in this dataset. Chassis hardware that is listed does not help you pick a version: Independent, spring suspension and ventilated discs are the same labels on all 15 rows, as are 145 mm clearance and a 75 L tank. The choice is therefore only the arithmetic above: 55 hp and 142–152 Nm for Turbo; 0.2 s and 10 Nm when you step from 1 generation turbo to 2 generation turbo; 30 kg when you step from 2 generation turbo to restyle turbo; 1.7 s and the only mpg sheet if you take FWD 3.0 MT 225 hp instead of AWD 3.0 MT 225 hp; 1.1 s and 40 kg if you take Automatic instead of Manual on AWD 225 hp.