The Dodge Stealth is a badge-engineered, mechanically identical captive import version of the Mitsubishi 3000GT, which Mitsubishi built from 1990 to 2000. It was sold in North America from 1991 to 1996, and Chrysler was responsible for the Stealth’s exterior styling as part of the collaboration with Mitsubishi.
Dodge Stealth at a glance
| Production | 1991-1996 |
|---|---|
| Class | grand touring sports coupe |
| Body | three-door hatchback coupe, 2+2 seats |
| Based on | Mitsubishi 3000GT, built in Nagoya, Japan |
| Base engine | 3.0 L SOHC V6, 164 hp |
| ES and R/T engine | 3.0 L DOHC V6, 222 hp |
| R/T Turbo engine | twin-turbo 3.0 L V6, 300 hp |
| Drive | front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive on the R/T Turbo |
| Gearboxes | five-speed Getrag manual, four-speed automatic |
| Built | about 65,303 Stealths |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Mitsubishi 3000GT, the car Dodge sold as the Stealth.
History of the Dodge Stealth
Following the Mitsubishi HSR and HSX concept cars at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, Mitsubishi unveiled the new GTO as a 2+2 grand touring car to compete with the Mazda RX-7, Nissan 300ZX, Honda NSX, Subaru SVX and Toyota Supra. In Japan it was sold as the GTO, while outside Japan it was marketed as the Mitsubishi 3000GT and as the Dodge Stealth, because Mitsubishi feared that enthusiasts would object to the GTO name being reused on a Japanese car. Every car was built on the same line at Mitsubishi’s Nagoya plant.
The car was based on Mitsubishi’s Sigma and Diamante and kept their transverse 3.0-litre 24-valve V6 engines and front-wheel-drive layout. The Japanese GTO could have naturally aspirated or twin-turbocharged engines and was available with active aerodynamics that adjusted the front and rear spoilers, four-wheel steering, full-time all-wheel drive and adaptive suspension. Mitsubishi also sold a retractable hardtop version, engineered and converted in California by ASC and sold as the GT Spyder or VR4 Spyder for 1993 to 1995; these were the first fully automated retractable hardtops on sale since the 1959 Ford Skyliner.
The Dodge Stealth had a signature crosshair front bumper, different B-pillar and quarter window treatments and a crescent-shaped rear spoiler, and it did not have the active aerodynamics of the Mitsubishi. In North America there were three powertrains: the base Stealth with a 3.0-litre 12-valve SOHC V6 of 164 hp, the Stealth ES and R/T with a 222 hp DOHC V6, and the R/T Turbo with a twin-turbocharged 300 hp engine. A five-speed Getrag 440 manual was standard with a four-speed INVECS automatic optional on all but the turbo cars. The 3000GT SL and Stealth R/T had electronically controlled suspension, anti-lock brakes and automatic climate control, while the turbo models added permanent four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, a limited-slip differential, active aerodynamics and Z-rated 17-inch tyres.
A Dodge Stealth was scheduled to be the 1991 Indianapolis 500 pace car until the United Auto Workers rejected it because it was built in Japan rather than the United States, and a Dodge Viper prototype took its place. The Stealth was still used as the backup pace car, the race winner Rick Mears received one, and dealers sold pace car replica editions. About 86,151 Mitsubishi 3000GTs and 65,303 Dodge Stealths were produced. Early cars were internally designated Z16A and had full-time four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering, with a drag coefficient of 0.33; from 1993 the engine received a four-bolt main and a forged crankshaft, although some early production models still had a cast crankshaft.
Design and features
- Chrysler styling: the Stealth’s own front bumper, B-pillar, quarter windows and spoiler.
- Three V6s: 164, 222 and 300 hp, the last with twin turbochargers.
- R/T Turbo: all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and active aerodynamics.
- Indy pace car: scheduled for 1991 until a union objection brought in the Viper instead.
Dodge Stealth versions
- Stealth (1991-1996): the base SOHC V6 model.
- Stealth ES: the DOHC V6 version with more equipment.
- Stealth R/T: the 222 hp front-wheel-drive model.
- Stealth R/T Turbo: the 300 hp twin-turbo all-wheel-drive flagship.
The Stealth was Dodge’s grand tourer of the 1990s alongside the Dodge Viper, and it followed the Dodge Daytona in the sports coupe role. More Dodge models are in the Dodge collection.
Sources
- Mitsubishi 3000GT, English Wikipedia: engines, versions, Stealth styling, production
