Mitsubishi Proudia

Mitsubishi Proudia: which version to buy and why

The Mitsubishi Proudia in this catalogue is two sedan generations and five named versions.

The Mitsubishi Proudia in this catalogue is two sedan generations and five named versions. If the question is which one to buy, the numbers split the field quickly: the second-generation 3.7 AT (333 hp) is the strongest and lightest per horsepower; the second-generation 2.5 AT (225 hp) is the lightest car and the only RWD six with 155 mm ground clearance; first-generation 3.5 AT cars are heavier, FWD, five-speed, and only one of them has a measured 0–100 km/h time. There is no sale-price data here, so “extra money” means extra displacement, power, drive layout, and weight — not a sticker.

Proudia generations compared: 1 generation vs 2 generation

1 generation ran from 1999-12-01 to 2001-12-31 as a Sedan with two versions, both named 3.5 AT, both Automatic with 5 gears, both FWD, both Gasoline, both 6 cylinders in a V-shaped layout, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, tank 80 l, ground clearance 150 mm, independent spring suspension front and rear, ventilated disc front brakes and Disc ventilated rear brakes. The two 3.5 AT cars are not the same engine: 241 hp on 3496 cm³ versus 280 hp on 3497 cm³.

2 generation ran from 2012-07-01 to 2016-12-31 as a Sedan with three versions: 2.5 AT (225 hp, RWD) and two 3.7 AT cars at 333 hp (one AWD, one RWD). All three are Automatic with 7 gears, Gasoline, 6 cylinders V-shaped, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, multi-point injection, tank 80 l. Compared with 1 generation, 2 generation adds two gears, drops FWD, and cuts kerb weight: the lightest 2 generation kerb is 1740 kg versus 1950 kg on the lighter 1 generation 3.5 AT (241 hp) — 210 kg less.

A 2012 / 2013 / 2016 Proudia in this data is always 2 generation. A 2001 Proudia is always 1 generation. The catalogue does not list a V8, a Dignity twin, or interior equipment; those searches cannot be answered with numbers from this set.

Proudia engine and specs: every version by the numbers

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 2.5 AT 90.2 hp/l; 3.7 AT (333 hp) 90.1 hp/l; 3.5 AT (280 hp) 80.1 hp/l; 3.5 AT (241 hp) 68.9 hp/l. The two 2 generation engines are almost equally specific; the 1 generation 241 hp 3.5 AT is the least specific by a wide margin.

Compression: 2.5 AT 10.3; 3.5 AT (241 hp) 10.4; 3.5 AT (280 hp) 10.7; 3.7 AT 11. Bore × stroke: 2.5 AT 85 × 73.3; 3.7 AT 95.5 × 86; 3.5 AT (241 hp) 93 × 85.8; 3.5 AT (280 hp) 86 × 96.8. Engine position is measured only on 3.5 AT (241 hp): Front, transverse. On 2.5 AT, both 3.7 AT cars, and 3.5 AT (280 hp) engine position is not measured.

Fuel grade is the practical split on 2 generation: 2.5 AT is specified for 95; both 3.7 AT cars for 98. Both 1 generation 3.5 AT versions are 95.

Performance, mpg, and what is not measured

Only 3.5 AT (280 hp) has a performance sheet: 0–100 km/h in 8.2 s, top speed 180, city 17.5, highway 11, combined 14.2. For 2.5 AT, both 3.7 AT versions, and 3.5 AT (241 hp), 0–100 km/h is not measured, top speed is not measured, city consumption is not measured, highway consumption is not measured, combined consumption is not measured. CO₂ is not measured on every version. Eco class is not measured on every version.

You cannot rank 2 generation cars on acceleration from this catalogue. You can rank mass per horsepower (kerb kg ÷ hp): 3.7 AT (either drive) 1820 ÷ 333 = 5.47 kg/hp; 3.5 AT (280 hp) 1990 ÷ 280 = 7.11 kg/hp; 2.5 AT 1740 ÷ 225 = 7.73 kg/hp; 3.5 AT (241 hp) 1950 ÷ 241 = 8.09 kg/hp. The 333 hp 3.7 AT is 1.64 kg/hp lighter than the 280 hp 3.5 AT and 2.62 kg/hp lighter than the 241 hp 3.5 AT. Torque peak rpm also moves: 3.5 AT (241 hp) makes 343 Nm at 2500 rpm; 3.5 AT (280 hp) 412 Nm at 4000; 2.5 AT 258 Nm at 4800; 3.7 AT 363 Nm at 5200. The 241 hp 3.5 AT is the only version whose peak torque is specified this low in the rev range.

Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels

Tank volume is 80 l on all five versions. Wheel sizes are not measured on all five versions.

Kerb / gross / clearance:

• 2.5 AT: 1740 / 2015 kg, 155 mm. Payload 2015 − 1740 = 275 kg.
• 3.7 AT (AWD) and 3.7 AT (RWD): 1820 / 2095 kg, 145 mm. Payload 275 kg. Same mass and clearance; drive is the only chassis difference in the table.
• 3.5 AT (241 hp): 1950 kg kerb, gross not measured, 150 mm.
• 3.5 AT (280 hp): 1990 / 2150 kg, 150 mm. Payload 160 kg — 115 kg less payload than either 2 generation car.

2.5 AT is 80 kg lighter than 3.7 AT and 10 mm higher (155 vs 145). Versus 1 generation, 2.5 AT is 210 kg lighter than 3.5 AT (241 hp) and 250 kg lighter than 3.5 AT (280 hp). 3.7 AT is 130 kg lighter than 3.5 AT (241 hp) and 170 kg lighter than 3.5 AT (280 hp), with 5 mm less clearance than 1 generation (145 vs 150).

Which Proudia version to choose

Choose 2 generation 3.7 AT (333 hp, RWD) if the goal is the strongest 2 generation layout with the least driven wheels. Same 333 hp, 363 Nm, 3696 cm³, 7-speed Automatic, 1820 kg, 145 mm as the AWD twin. Versus 2.5 AT you gain 108 hp and 105 Nm and 1201 cm³, pay 80 kg, lose 10 mm of clearance, and move from 95 to 98 fuel. Versus 1 generation 3.5 AT (280 hp) you gain 53 hp, lose 49 Nm (363 vs 412), cut 170 kg, add two gears, and switch from FWD to RWD. 0–100 km/h, top speed, and mpg on this 3.7 AT are not measured.

Choose 2 generation 3.7 AT (333 hp, AWD) if the only difference you want from the RWD 3.7 is AWD. Kerb, gross, tank, clearance, power, torque, compression, bore × stroke, injection, and gearbox are identical to the RWD 3.7 AT. That is the entire AWD premium in this dataset: drive type, not mass.

Choose 2 generation 2.5 AT if you want the lightest Proudia, the highest ground clearance, 95 fuel, and RWD without the 3.7-litre engine. 225 hp and 258 Nm on 2495 cm³, 7-speed Automatic, 1740 kg, 155 mm. It is 39 hp below the weaker 1 generation 3.5 AT (241 hp) and 55 hp below the stronger one, but 210–250 kg lighter than those FWD cars. Specific output matches 3.7 AT (~90 hp/l); mass per hp does not (7.73 vs 5.47). Performance and consumption are not measured.

Choose 1 generation 3.5 AT (280 hp) if you need the only Proudia with measured speed and fuel use, and the highest torque in the set. 412 Nm, 8.2 s to 100 km/h, 180 top speed, 17.5 / 11 / 14.2 consumption, 1990 kg, FWD, 5-speed Automatic, 95 fuel, multi-point injection. It is 40 kg heavier than the 241 hp 3.5 AT, 39 hp and 69 Nm stronger, and 1 cm³ larger (3497 vs 3496). Payload is the smallest measured (160 kg). Combined 14.2 on an 80 l tank is the only consumption figure you can plan a range from; the other four versions do not have that measurement.

Choose 1 generation 3.5 AT (241 hp) only if you specifically want direct injection and the lowest torque peak rpm. 241 hp, 343 Nm at 2500 rpm, Direct injection (direct), Front, transverse, 3496 cm³, 1950 kg, FWD, 5-speed Automatic, 95 fuel. Gross weight is not measured. 0–100, top speed, and mpg are not measured. It is the weakest specific output (68.9 hp/l) and the heaviest per horsepower (8.09 kg/hp). Do not treat this 3.5 AT as the 280 hp 3.5 AT: same name, different power, different injection, different bore × stroke (93 × 85.8 vs 86 × 96.8).

Do not choose on V8, Dignity, or for-sale listings. This article’s versions are Gasoline 6-cylinder V-shaped engines only. Dignity is not a version in the data. Prices are not in the data.

Short decision rule using only these numbers. Want 333 hp and 5.47 kg/hp: 3.7 AT, then pick AWD or RWD. Want least mass and 155 mm: 2.5 AT. Want a measured 8.2 s and 412 Nm: 3.5 AT (280 hp). Want direct injection and 343 Nm at 2500 rpm: 3.5 AT (241 hp). If the car is a 2012–2016 Proudia, the choice is among the three 2 generation rows; if it is a 1999–2001 Proudia, the choice is which 3.5 AT — 241 hp or 280 hp.