1999 MITSUBISHI 3000GT REMAINS THE ULTIMATE

If there is a "survival of the fittest" in the automotive world, it certainly must be the Mitsubishi 3000GT. Even as the Nissan 300ZX, Mazda RX-7 and Toyota Supra are now extinct, the 3000GT keeps soldiering on. But, Mitsubishi Motors isn't just marking time with its flagship grand touring sports car - on the contrary, the 1999 3000GT is extensively revised with aggressive new front and rear styling.

So what is considered to be the 3000GT's success? Perhaps the exotic performance is a good explanation, right up to the VR-4 model's 320-horsepower and all-wheel drive. Maybe it's the confident, like-nothing-else-on-the-road exterior design. Or 3000GT's survival can be traced to its low operating costs, recognized by the IntelliChoice@ "Best Overall Value" for sports cars, awarded to 3000GT in 1998. The likeliest reason for 3000GT's popularity, however, is a combination of all three.

With its new, ground-hugging front design, sculpted bodyside, revised rear fascia and high profile spoiler, the 3000GT certainly stands out in a crowd. Even after being on the market for several years, this machine still turns heads wherever it goes.

Inside, 3000GT is a little more conservative. The interior is a unique blend of the latest conveniences and classic sports car details. The large speedometer and tachometer are positioned directly in front of the driver. Three secondary gauges are in the center of the dashboard, angled slightly toward the left for quick glances during the spirited driving 3000GT will certainly inspire. Directly to the right of the main gauge cluster are the climate controls and audio systems.

While 3000GT is a sports car at heart, it was first and foremost designed as a grand tourer, comforting its passengers whether their destination is across town or cross-country. Unlike many sports cars, the 3000GT offers convenient ingress and egress, and once inside there are wide, multi-adjustable front seats trimmed in sport cloth or leather. Its 2+2 seating and 1 1-cubic foot cargo capacity is another rare treat.

In addition to its performance and luxury, 3000GT also has a practical side. Putting a premium on the safety of its occupants, there are dual front air bags*, 3-point safety belts for all four occupants, side-guard door beams and safety cage construction.

Though all three 3000GT models are similar inside and out, they vary significantly among powertrains, drive configurations and suspension tuning. Yet, all of these grand tourers are created through variations of a 3.0-liter V6, four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. This allows Mitsubishi Motors to offer the 3000GT in various price and performance levels to meet the needs of different sports car buyers.

Every model -- which includes the entry-level 3000GT, 3000GT SL and the top-of-the-line 3000GT VR-4 - has luxuries such as air conditioning, power windows, door locks and sideview mirrors, fog lights, remote keyless entry, cruise control, and a height adjustable, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Options include a single-disc CD player or rear-mounted 10-disc CD changer, and a Mitsubishi/Infinity@ premium AM/FM stereo with 8-speakers, separate amplifier and both cassette and compact disc players.

• 3000GT SL
  With its 218-horsepower, 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), 17-inch chrome plated alloys, and Z-rated performance tires, it's easy to understand why there's an "S" in the sporty 3000GT SL's name. Yet, with its luxurious leather seating surfaces, power sunroof, and 8-speaker, Mitsubishi/Infinity@ AM/FM stereo with both cassette and compact disc players, the reasoning behind the "L" is just as evident.
  
  In fact, 3000GT SL is so well equipped, buyers need only choose from a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission - and whether or not they'd like the option of a 10-disc CD changer.
  
• 3000GT VR-4
  300OGT VR-4 is perhaps the ultimate grand touring sports car available today. After all, with its twin-turbocharged and twin-intercooled, 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 that produces a whopping 320-horsepower at 6000 RPM and 315 lbs-ft. of torque at a low 2,500 RPM, who's going to argue about it?
  
  But, just in case there's any doubt, the VR-4 has full-time all-wheel drive with a limited slip rear differential, 6-speed manual transmission, and same-phase 4-wheel steering. This sports car is the king of the hill.
  
  3000GT VR-4 warns its competitors what they're up against with an aggressive, new wing-type rear spoiler, massive 18-inch chrome-plated alloy wheels and Z-rated high performance tires. Huge 4-wheel ventilated discs with 4-piston front calipers and an anti-lock braking system (ABS) ensure confident stopping power even after repeated use.