What's the absolute quickest car you can buy? Let's go find out.
BY SCOTT OLDHAM
Photos by Les Bidrawn
Published in the July 1999 issue.
![Bild](http://archiv.3000gt.org/bilder/GT-1-4_pm99.jpg)
MITSUBISHI 3000GT
Putting the power to the pavement is the name of the acceleration game. The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 has 320 hp, much less than the Jag and Lightning, and the same power rating as the Mustang Cobra. So what gives the Mitsubishi the advantage over them? Traction.
This is the only all-wheel-drive car in this test. That means no wheelspin. Launching the Mitsubishi is so simple, it's like flying into outer space - even a monkey can do it. Just tach up the DOHC twin-turbocharged V6 up near its 6000 rpm power peak and drop that clutch. Granted, this isn't the best thing for the car's durability, but it sure gets this 2+2 off the line like a slingshot. All four 18-in. tires dig in, the 3000GT squats like Mike Piazza, and you are gone.
Don't expect any rubber when you throw gears, either. Tire slip in this car is harder to come by than a date with Pamela Anderson. Shifter action and clutch takeup could be a bit smoother, so quick gear changes aren't easy. But the V6's surprising amount of low-end torque really gets the heavy Mitsubishi going. And the motor pulls right up to its 7000 rpm redline.
One thing missing from the Mitsubishi's stellar performance: the right sounds. Its hair dryer exhaust note just doesn't cut it.
Test Summary:
Mitsubishi 3000GT
• Base price: $44,600, Price as tested: $45,140
• Engine: 3.0L/181.0 CID DOHC 24v twin turbo V6
• HP: 320 @ 6000 rpm, Torque: 315 ft.-lb. @ 2500 rpm
• Trans: 6M, Drivetrain: front engine/awd
• Final drive: 3.87:1 w/center viscous coupling
• Curb weight: 3737 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 11.7
• Horsepower/liter: 106.7, Tires: 245/40ZR18
• Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 1.70 sec. 0-60 mph: 5.00 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 13.44 sec. @ 101.79 mph (=163,8km/h)
Die anderen Kandidaten und ihre Werte:
Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
• Base price: $29,995, Price as tested: $30,600
• Engine: 5.4L/330.0 CID SOHC 16v supercharged V8
• HP: 360 @ 4750 rpm, Torque: 440 ft.-lb. @ 3000 rpm
• Trans: 4A, Drivetrain: front engine/rear drive
• Rear axle: 3.55:1 limited-slip w/9.75-in. ring gear
• Curb weight: 4670 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 13.0
• Horsepower per liter: 66.7, Tires: 295/45ZR18
• Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 2.04 sec. 0-60 mph: 5.34 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 13.62 sec. @ 101.16 mph
Jaguar XJR
• Base price: $68,450, Price as tested: $69,060
• Engine: 4.0L/244.0 CID DOHC 32v supercharged V8
• HP: 370 @ 6150 rpm, Torque: 387 ft.-lb. @ 3600 rpm
• Trans: 5A, Drivetrain: front engine/rear drive
• Rear axle: 3.06:1 w/electronic traction control
• Curb weight: 4026 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 10.9
• Horsepower per liter: 92.5, Tires: 255/40ZR18
• Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 2.23 sec. 0-60 mph: 5.41 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 13.62 sec. @ 104.21 mph
Ford Mustang Cobra
• Base price: $27,995, Price as tested: $28,190
• Engine: 4.6-liter/280.0 cu.-in. DOHC 32v V8
• HP: 320 @ 6000 rpm, Torque: 317 ft.-lb. @ 4750 rpm
• Trans: 5M, Drivetrain: front engine/rear drive
• Rear axle: 3.27:1 limited-slip w/8.8-in. ring gear
• Curb weight: 3430 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 10.7
• Horsepower per liter: 69.6, Tires: 245/45ZR17
• Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 2.25 sec. 0-60 mph: 5.41 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 13.51 sec. @ 103.45 mph
Chevrolet Camaro SS
• Base price: $20,870, Price as tested: $27,466
• Engine: 5.7-liter/346.0 cu.-in. OHV 16v V8
• HP: 320 @ 5200 rpm, Torque: 345 ft.-lb. @ 4400 rpm
• Trans: 6M, Drivetrain: front engine/rear drive
• Rear axle: 3.42:1 limited-slip
• Curb weight: 3439 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 10.8
• Horsepower per liter: 56.1, Tires: 275/40ZR17
• Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 2.27 sec. 0-60 mph: 5.27 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 13.42 sec. @ 106.15 mph
Mercedes-Benz E55
• Base price: $69,100, Price as tested: $72,290
• Engine: 5.4-liter/330.0 cu.-in. SOHC 24v V8
• HP: 349 @ 5500 rpm, Torque: 391 ft.-lb. @ 3000 rpm
• Trans: 5A, Drivetrain: front engine/rear drive
• Rear axle: 2.82:1 w/electronic traction control
• Curb weight: 3746 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 10.7
• HP/liter: 64.6, Tires: f: 245/40ZR18, r: 275/35ZR18
• Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 2.23 sec. 0-60 mph: 5.32 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 13.39 sec. @ 106.06 mph
Porsche 996 C2
• Base price: $65,030, Price as tested: $71,680
• Engine: 3.4-liter/207.0 cu.-in. DOHC 24v H6
• HP: 296 @ 6800 rpm, Torque: 258 ft.-lb. @ 4600 rpm
• Trans: 6M, Drivetrain: rear engine/rear drive
• Final drive: 3.44:1 w/electronic traction control
• Curb weight: 2901 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 9.8
• HP/liter: 87.1, Tires: f: 205/50ZR17, r: 255/40ZR17
• Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 1.98 sec. 0-60 mph: 4.93 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 13.30 sec. @ 107.10 mph
Acura (Honda) NSX
• Base price: $88,000, Price as tested: $88,745
• Engine: 3.2-liter/194.0 cu.-in. DOHC 24v V6
• HP: 290 @ 7100 rpm, Torque: 224 ft.-lb. @ 5500 rpm
• Trans: 4A, Drivetrain: midengine/rear drive
• Final drive: 4.62:1 w/electronic traction control
• Curb weight: 3160 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 10.9
• HP/liter: 90.6, Tires: f: 215/45ZR16, r: 245/40ZR17
• Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 1.94 sec. 0-60 mph: 4.97 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 13.17 sec. @ 107.65 mph
Firebird Formula
• Base price: $23,065, Price as tested: $26,800
• Engine: 5.7-liter/346.0 cu.-in. OHV 16v V8
• HP: 320 @ 5200 rpm, Torque: 345 ft.-lb. @ 4400 rpm
• Trans: 6M, Drivetrain: front engine/rear drive
• Rear axle: 3.42:1 limited-slip
• Curb weight: 3341 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 10.4
• Horsepower per liter: 56.1, Tires: 275/40ZR17
• Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 2.08 sec. 0-60 mph: 4.94 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 13.15 sec. @ 108.27 mph
Ferrari F355
• Base price: $127,200, Price as tested: $138,115
• Engine: 3.5-liter/213.3 cu.-in. DOHC 40v V8
• HP: 375 @ 8250 rpm, Torque: 268 ft.-lb. @ 6000 rpm
• Trans: 6M, Drivetrain: midengine/rear drive
• Final drive: 3.61:1
• Curb weight: 2976 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 7.9
• HP/liter: 107.1, Tires: f: 225/40ZR18, r: 265/40ZR18
• Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 2.05 sec. 0-60 mph: 4.94 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 13.13 sec. @ 107.56 mph
Chevrolet Corvette C5
• Base price: $38,197, Price as tested: $40,237
• Engine: 5.7-liter/346.07 cu.-in. OHV 16v V8
• HP: 345 @ 5600 rpm, Torque: 350 ft.-lb. @ 4400 rpm
• Trans: 6M, Drivetrain: front engine/rear drive
• Rear axle: 3.42:1 limited-slip
• Curb weight: 3174 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 9.2
• HP/liter: 60.5, Tires: f: 245/45ZR17, r: 275/40ZR18
• Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 1.95 sec. 0-60 mph: 4.74 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 12.98 sec. @ 108.85 mph
Lotus Esprit
• Base price: $83,725, Price as tested: $87,920
• Engine: 3.5L/213.8 CID DOHC 32v twin turbo V8
• HP: 350 @ 6500 rpm, Torque: 295 ft.-lb. @ 4250 rpm
• Trans: 5M, Drivetrain: midengine/rear drive, twin-plate racing clutch
• Final drive: 3.89:1
• Curb weight: 3043 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 8.7
• HP/liter: 100.0, Tires: f: 235/40ZR17, r: 285/40ZR18
• Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 1.83 sec. 0-60 mph: 4.43 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 12.85 sec. @ 110.96 mph
Dodge Viper
• Base price: $65,725, Price as tested: $72,425
• Engine: 8.0-liter/488.0 cu.-in. OHV 20v V10
• HP: 450 @ 5200 rpm, Torque: 490 ft.-lb. @ 3700 rpm
• Trans: 6M, Drivetrain: front engine/rear drive
• Rear axle: 3.07:1 limited-slip
• Curb weight: 3319 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 7.4
• HP/liter: 56.2, Tires: f: 275/35ZR18, r: 335/30ZR18
• Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 1.82 sec. 0-60 mph: 4.06 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 12.08 sec. @ 118.51 mph
BMW, Lamborghini sowie die V12-Ferraris traten trotz mehrfacher Nachfrage nicht an.
Ein GT mit ca. 400PS würde übrigens die ¼ ml in ca. 12,6s bei ca. 176km (109,4mls/h) schaffen. Erhebt sich wieder mal die Frage, warum Mitsubishi nicht den GT so gebaut hat
![Eh? :-s](./images/smilies/eusa_eh.gif)
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