Mitsubishi FTO
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Production period: |
1994 to 2000 |
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Class : |
sports car |
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Body versions : |
Coupe |
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Engines: |
Gasoline : 1.8-2.0 liters (92-147 kW) |
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Length: |
4365 mm |
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Width: |
1735 mm |
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Height: |
1300 mm |
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Wheelbase : |
2500 mm |
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Curb weight : |
1100-1210 kg |
The Mitsubishi FTO is a front-wheel sports coupe produced by Mitsubishi Motors from 1994 to 2000 .
History
Originally, the Mitsubishi FTO was designed exclusively for the Japanese market, but its popularity as a gray market import to Britain and Australia meant that the model was later officially offered in limited quantities by the local importers.
FTO stands for "Fresh Touring Origination", and Mitsubishi described it as "a touring model overflowing with freshness, youthfulness, and originality". The name had been used in 1971 for the Galant Coupe FTO , one of the first Mitsubishi sports coupes.
All FTOs produced are front- wheel drive , with an in- line 4-cylinder engine or a transversely mounted V6 . The front bumper was changed in 1997, but the rest of the vehicle remained almost identical to the previous models.
The gearbox types available on the FTO were a 5-speed manual or INVECS-II , the Mitsubishi authorized version of the Tiptronic , Porsche 's semi-automatic gearbox . The first models had a 4-speed gearbox, the last 5, slightly more robust than the previous type.The INVECS II is a computer-controlled automatic transmission that can "learn" the driver's driving style, using the "Adaptive Shift Control" software . As soon as you start driving the computer starts tracking the style, and after a while it automatically sets the points for each shift and downshift, making driving on the road smoothe.
An electric version, the FTO-EV, was produced in 1998 as an experimental vehicle. The car used high-performance lithium -ion batteries and set a record of distance traveled on a 24-hour charge.
GPX Limited Edition
On 2 December 1994 , the "Japanese Car of the Year" committee announced that the FTO sports car had been designated "1994-1995 Car of the Year". The reasons for the victory, aside from its performance as a sports car, were that the FTO possessed a state-of-the-art chassis and the INVECS-II sports model automatic transmission. Since in previous years the award had only been won by sedansand that the FTO was the first sports car to win it after the Toyota MR2 in 1984, Mitsubishi, to celebrate, decided to produce a special limited edition. It is easily recognized by its color, the "Dandelion Yellow", the emblem "'94 -95 Japan Car of the Year" and LSD, the limited slip differential, as standard. Less than five hundred were produced.
Nakaya Tune FTO
The Nakaya-Tune FTO was a limited edition produced in early 1997 , only 300 were sold. The car was directly modified by Akihiko Nakaya, driver of the Taeivon FTO in the Japanese GT300 class in the years 1998-1999. The main differences are Nakaya-Tune (Prof) exhausts, Nakaya-Tune (AP) brake pads, Nakaya-Tune carbon fiber spoiler, Nakaya-Tune suspension , Nakaya-Tune (Ohlins) shock absorbers
