What is the Dodge version of the Mitsubishi 3000GT?
The Dodge Stealth is the Dodge-badged version of Mitsubishi’s 3000GT, sold in the United States in the early to mid-1990s. In short, the Stealth and the Mitsubishi 3000GT are nearly identical machines with different branding, produced during the same era.
Origins and branding
During the 1990s, Mitsubishi developed the 3000GT as a flagship sports coupe. Chrysler offered a Dodge-branded counterpart in the United States—the Stealth—sharing the same core engineering and performance hardware while wearing Dodge styling and branding.
Badge engineering in practice
Behind the scenes, the Stealth and 3000GT were designed to deliver similar driving dynamics, with the Dodge version mainly differing in badges, trim details, and marketing. The arrangement became a classic example of badge engineering from that era.
Key facts about the relationship between the models:
- Shared engineering: the Dodge Stealth is the Dodge-branded version of the Mitsubishi 3000GT, with most mechanical components identical.
- Production window: the models were marketed in the United States from 1991 through 1996.
- Branding and styling: Stealth features Dodge insignia and distinct front/rear styling cues and interior trim.
- Variants: turbocharged configurations were available in both lineups, aligning performance with the era’s sport-coupe offerings.
In effect, the Dodge Stealth stands as the North American badge for the Mitsubishi 3000GT during the 1990s, reflecting the period’s strategy of cross-brand collaboration and badge engineering.
Key similarities and differences
To understand how closely the cars align—and where they diverge—here are the core points of comparison.
- Similar chassis and powertrain: The Stealth and 3000GT share most of their underlying architecture and mechanicals, including the high-performance variants.
- Performance range: Both offered potent performance options, with turbocharged variants delivering strong acceleration and high-speed capabilities for the era.
- Branding differences: The primary distinctions are branding, exterior styling cues, and interior trim designed to fit Dodge’s showroom language.
- Market positioning: Each car was marketed to appeal to buyers seeking high-performance coupes from distinct American and Japanese brand storytelling.
Overall, the Stealth and 3000GT are mechanically aligned with visible branding as the main differentiator, reflecting a common practice of the time among automakers.
Legacy and collector context
Today, the Dodge Stealth is remembered as a notable example of 1990s badge engineering, a period when automakers often offered near-identical performance machines under different brands to reach broader audiences. The Stealth’s legacy persists among enthusiasts who value the era’s design language and the collaboration between Chrysler and Mitsubishi.
Production timeline snapshot
Here are the key milestones that frame the Stealth/3000GT era:
- Early 1990s: Debut of the Dodge Stealth in the U.S. market alongside the Mitsubishi 3000GT.
- 1991–1996: Official production and sales period in North America.
- Mid-1990s: The partnership and badge engineering approach becomes a defining trait of the models’ reception.
These milestones illustrate how the Stealth fit into the broader sports-coupe landscape of its time while aligning with Mitsubishi’s engineering prowess.
Summary
In essence, the Dodge Stealth is the Dodge version of the Mitsubishi 3000GT—a badge-engineered counterpart that shared most of its hardware and performance with its Mitsubishi sibling. Produced from 1991 to 1996, the Stealth represents a distinctive chapter in 1990s automotive branding, blending Japanese engineering with American styling and marketing.
