GT4 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT SR (J)

My summer villa has a working PS2 console (slim version) plus a copy of Gran Turismo 4 so this summer of 2016 I am making and posting some GT4 car pictures.  

And while I am at it, today's second car in GT4 pictures is the 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT SR (J).

Wearing a (paint) coat of Hamilton Silver Metallic.

Pictured here at Piazza San Marco aka San Marco Square which is "the beautiful square flanked by tall bell towers set in the surrounds of Venice, the city of water".

Sold as the GTO in its native Japan, Mitsubishi marketed the car in the U.S. as the 3000GT. Chrysler sold its own version of the car, called the Dodge Stealth that featured a different body style, but the same mechanical components as the Mitsubishi. Chrysler, quite impressed how its version of the car turned out, made the Stealth pace car for the 1991 Indianapolis 500 (the first time a "Japanese car" was bestowed that honor, albeit unofficially).

The GTO was based on the same platform as the Mitsubishi Diamante, while the engine was a 3.0-liter DOHC V-6, available in either naturally aspirated or twin turbocharged form. The turbo-boosted unit produced a hearty 276 HP and 307.3 ft-lb of torque while the non-turbo powerplant cranked out a respectable 222 HP and 202.5 ft-lb. The GTO made use of many novel automotive technologies at the time, including all-wheel drive, 4-wheel steering, an electronically-controlled suspension, and ABS braking system. It also featured an active aerodynamic system that would adjust the front and rear spoilers according to vehicle speed, along with an active exhaust system that could modify the exhaust note. These numerous high-tech featured intrigued automotive enthusiasts in large numbers.

In 1993, the car's retractable headlights were swapped for a set of fixed headlights, the twin turbo engine was mated to a Getrag 6-speed manual gearbox and peak torque was upped to 314.6 ft-lb. With its high-tech wizardry and distinctive coke bottle shape, the GTO was one fascinating machine right up to the end of production run in August 2001.