|
In 1998 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation unveil its new MITSUBISHI SST
concept car at the North American International Auto
Show in the Cobo Center in Detroit). This marks the
first time the company has exhibited a concept vehicle at an auto show
in the United States.
Giving a peek at the direction a
Mitsubishi Motors' sporty model is expected to take in the near future,
the MITSUBISHI SST has been designed by and fabricated at Mitsubishi
Motors R&D of America, Inc. (MRDA). "Geo Mechanical" is
the key styling theme, and is given expression in the concept model's
muscular body sections, its solid, road-hugging shape and its mechanical
aesthetics.
|

|

|
|
MITSUBISHI SST
|
The exterior design combines a substantial surface composition with a
compact cabin. Styling elements include large headlight units that house
low-beam, high-beam and fog lights at the front, stretched combination
light units at the rear and a daring slit along the sides. These
elements impart an aggressive flavor that befits a new-age sporty model.
The interior features an uncluttered and driver-oriented design.
The MITSUBISHI SST realizes exhilarating
performance thanks to a 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC intercooler-turbocharged
engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission with Sports Mode manual
override feature, and to a multi-link suspension supporting wheels shod
with 245 / 40R20 tires.
Mitsubishi Motors currently sells some
200,000 vehicles a year through Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.
(MMSA). These include the ECLIPSE and GALANT built at Mitsubishi Motor
Manufacturing of America, Inc. (MMMA), and the MIRAGE, MONTERO SPORT
(CHALLENGER in Japan) and 3000GT (GTO in Japan) exported from Japan. The
ECLIPSE and GTO are strategic models that have captured significant
market share in their respective categories.
The MITSUBISHI SST is a study for a
sporty model that Mitsubishi Motors is developing in order to maintain
and build on the popularity of the current ECLIPSE and GTO models.
MITSUBISHI SST Profile
|
Body dimensions (L x W x H)
|
4450 mm x 1860 mm x 1236 mm
|
|
Wheelbase
|
2560 mm
|
|
Track (F/R)
|
1585 mm / 1575 mm
|
|
Vehicle weight
|
1134 kg
|
|
Engine
|
2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC with
intercooler-turbocharger
|
|
Max. output / Max. torque
|
210 hp / 215 lbs-ft
|
|
Transmission
|
4-speed automatic with Sports
Mode
|
|
Layout
|
Front engine, front drive
|
|
Body construction
|
Graphite panels on steel frame
|
|
Wheels
|
Enkei 20" x 8.5"
|
|
Tires
|
Michelin 245 / 40R20
|
|
Suspension
|
Multi-link all-round
|
|
Steering
|
Rack & Pinion (with power
assist)
|
Mitsubishi Motors
models on display at Detroit Show
|
MITSUBISHI SST concept model
|
1
|
|
HSR-VI advance research model
|
1
|
|
MONTERO SPORT show version
(CHALLENGER IN Japan)
|
1
|
|
ECLIPSE SPYDER sports model
|
1
|
|
ECLIPSE sports model
|
4
|
|
GALANT sedan
|
2
|
|
MONTERO SPORT (CHALLENGER in
Japan)
|
3
|
|
DIAMANTE sedan
|
2
|
|
MIRAGE coupe / sedan
|
2
|
|
MONTERO (PAJERO in Japan)
|
1
|
|
3000GT (GTO in Japan)
|
1
|
|