Is the Dodge Stealth the same as the Mitsubishi?
Yes. The Dodge Stealth is essentially the Mitsubishi 3000GT wearing a Dodge badge, produced for the U.S. market in the 1990s.
Both cars share the same core engineering and drivetrain, as Mitsubishi built the platform and powertrains for both brands. The Stealth arrived in American showrooms as Dodge's version of the same coupe, with branding and trim differences shaping each model's identity. The 3000GT maxed out with more widely offered variants across markets, while the Stealth served as Dodge's badge-engineered counterpart in North America.
Origins and the badge-engineered twins
During the early 1990s, Mitsubishi developed a high-performance sports coupe lineup that included the 3000GT. To broaden market reach, Dodge rebadged and sold the car in the United States as the Stealth, aligning with Dodge's performance image. The relationship was a formal collaboration, with Mitsubishi manufacturing the cars for both brands.
Shared engineering and performance
Both models started from the same platform and mechanical DNA, leading to very similar performance characteristics in the turbocharged variants. Here are the core shared elements:
- Engine options centered on a 3.0-liter DOHC V6, with turbocharged variants offering significantly higher output.
- All-wheel-drive capability in the twin-turbo/VR-4 variants, providing strong traction in performance conditions.
- Similar suspension layouts and braking hardware tuned for performance driving.
- Available manual transmissions on performance trims, with power ratings broadly aligned across the two brands in corresponding variants.
In essence, the performance envelope of the Stealth and 3000GT was designed to be comparable where the Turbo models are concerned, making them familiar to enthusiasts who follow Mitsubishi's performance lineup.
Differences in branding, trims, and availability
Beyond the mechanical parity, several distinctions shaped each model's market identity and equipment slate. These include branding, trim naming conventions, and market-specific options that varied by year and region.
- Badges and styling cues: Dodge's grille, exterior trim, and interior badge language differed from Mitsubishi's; the cars looked similar but wore different logos and names.
- Trim hierarchies: Mitsubishi offered the 3000GT in base, SL, and VR-4 variants, while Dodge positioned Stealth variants such as R/T and RT/TT, with different option bundles and appearances.
- Availability window: The Stealth was sold in the U.S. primarily from 1991 to 1996, whereas the 3000GT continued in production through the late 1990s (and even into 1999 in some markets).
- Market-specific options: Equipment packages and standard features sometimes differed due to branding, dealer networks, and regional emission standards.
Those branding and trim differences are common in badge-engineered cars, and they contribute to the Stealth's distinct identity in Dodge's lineup despite sharing the same mechanical core as the Mitsubishi.
Which versions were most closely related?
High-performance variants—the twin-turbo or VR-4-equipped models—are the closest mechanical matches between the Dodge Stealth and Mitsubishi 3000GT. These versions share the AWD drivetrain, turbocharged power delivery, and the heavy-duty braking and handling characteristics expected of a sports coupe from that era. The base and less-torquey variants diverge more in tuning and equipment, but the underlying architecture remains the same.
When shopping for a used example, enthusiasts typically look for a Stealth RT/TT or a Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 as the most direct peers, with the caveat that they will differ in badges and local maintenance history.
Conclusion
The short answer is yes—the Dodge Stealth and the Mitsubishi 3000GT are essentially the same car under different branding. They share the same engineering platform, powertrains (notably in turbocharged variants), and performance goals. The primary differences lie in branding, trim naming, and market-specific equipment. Understanding this distinction helps collectors and buyers identify parts compatibility, maintenance histories, and value across the badge-engineered twins.
Summary
In the 1990s, Mitsubishi and Dodge collaborated to bring a high-performance sports coupe to North American buyers, resulting in two closely related models: the Mitsubishi 3000GT and the Dodge Stealth. While not identical in branding and some equipment, they shared core engineering and performance, especially in the turbocharged variants, making them effectively counterpart vehicles in the same family.
What is the Chrysler version of the Mitsubishi 3000GT?
The Chrysler version of the Mitsubishi 3000GT was the Dodge Stealth, which was sold in North America from 1991 to 1996. While mechanically similar and built on the same platform, the Stealth had different styling, particularly in the front and rear, and came in various trim levels.
- Shared platform: Both the 3000GT and Stealth were built by Mitsubishi, with Chrysler (Dodge) responsible for the Stealth's exterior styling.
- Styling differences: The Stealth featured different front-end styling, particularly the pop-up headlights, and a distinct rear end with different tail lights and spoiler designs compared to the 3000GT.
- Trim levels: The Stealth was offered in base, ES, and R/T trims, with the top-end R/T Twin Turbo featuring the high-performance twin-turbo V6 engine, four-wheel drive, and four-wheel steering, similar to the 3000GT VR-4.
- Production timeline: The Dodge Stealth was produced for a shorter period, from 1991 to 1996, while the Mitsubishi 3000GT was sold until 1999.
Did Mitsubishi make the Dodge Stealth?
Meanwhile, Chrysler introduced its version as the Dodge Stealth. Both cars came from Mitsubishi's Nagoya plant in Japan, while each one had several versions and spawned special editions.
Did Dodge use Mitsubishi engines?
Dodge-branded Mitsubishi vehicles were phased out by 1993 except for the Dodge Stealth running through 1996. However, Mitsubishi-made engines and electrical components were still widely used in American domestic Chrysler products.
What car did Dodge and Mitsubishi make together?
Mitsubishi Mirage / Dodge & Plymouth Colt / Eagle Summit: Compact commuter cars that all stemmed from Mitsubishi's Mirage design, which were produced during the Mirage's third generation. Dodge Avenger Coupe / Chrysler Sebring Coupe: Two-door, FWD coupes built on versions of the Galant's platform starting in 1994.
