Reviving an Icon: The Modified Mitsubishi 3000GT Tribute
The Mitsubishi 3000GT may not have garnered the same level of fame as other iconic Japanese cars from the 1990s, but its striking design, advanced technology, and role in early Gran Turismo video games have certainly endeared it to many enthusiasts. Fortunately, one dedicated fan has brought the potential of the 3000GT to life with an impressive, supercharged modification that pays homage to a Gran Turismo legend.
Positioned alongside rivals like the Toyota Supra and Nissan Skyline GT-R, the Mitsubishi 3000GT (also known as the GTO or Dodge Stealth) was an ambitious project. With its twin-turbo V6 engine, all-wheel drive, adjustable suspension, four-wheel steering, and active aerodynamics, it stood out on paper as a competitor to contemporary supercars. However, the high-end 3000GT VR-4 was criticized for its weight and complexity, along with a front suspension that left much to be desired. This made it difficult for owners to maintain and less appealing to modify. Nevertheless, there are still a few passionate individuals willing to take on such challenges, including Roger Haalands from Norway, whose work recently caught the attention of the automotive community via GTPlanet.
At 39, Haalands recalls how the 3000GT captured his imagination in the Gran Turismo games, particularly with a fictional version of the car designed for Le Mans. Known as the GTO LM Edition, this iteration was notably lighter, capable of over 600 horsepower, and equipped with downforce to rival that of contemporary GT1 vehicles. For Haalands, building his rendition of this legendary car had become a lifelong dream.
“I loved it so much. It was so fast. But it never really existed,” he said. “So I had to build it—my version of it.”
A fan of the Gatebil approach to automotive culture, and having previously created a 1,000-horsepower twin-engine Toyota Starlet, Haalands’ vision for this project is radical. He began with a 1994 VR-4 model, stripping away its bulky features—removing the twin turbos, sophisticated suspension, four-wheel steering, and active aerodynamics—to create a simplified version reminiscent of the MR model.
The interior and rear section of the unibody have been replaced with a roll cage and a tubular frame. It now boasts a four-corner Tein suspension, a custom body, and significant fixed aerodynamics that appear ready for competition. Haalands aims to reduce the car’s weight by a substantial margin, targeting a race-ready weight of under 3,000 pounds, though the complexity will shift rather than disappear.
While the original engine setup will be simplified by eliminating its turbos, it will still feature a supercharger. Haalands plans to integrate a centrifugal supercharger driven by an additional engine, a small 1.3-liter unit sourced from a Mitsubishi Colt, positioned where the passenger seat typically resides. This not only improves weight distribution but will also power accessories like the alternator, freeing up more power for the wheels. The ambitious goal is to reach 600 horsepower initially, with the possibility of pushing for 1,000 horsepower in the future.
Haalands hopes to complete the project within a year, intending to showcase the modified 3000GT at hill climbs and time attack events. He also dreams of bringing it to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where this stunning tribute could very well challenge some of the fastest cars in attendance.
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