Mitsubishi Proudia

Disappointingly, the first V8 luxurious sedan produced by Mitsubishi doesn’t reflect the core values of the company. It’s hard to understand why the innovative company created such a conservative, old fashion limousine. While it must fail to attract young enterprisers, it is also unlikely to grab sales from Toyota Century and Nissan President, both of which have decades of reputation being the most honourable Japanese luxurious cars. 

It’s long and heavyweight. Even in short-wheelbase form it measured in-excess of 5 meters, which may be confused as a traditional Lincoln or Cadillac. As the American luxury pair has been modernised in recent years, the Mitsubishi dinosaur can’t help seeming hopelessly outdated, even laughable. It is rear-wheel-drive and have all independent suspensions, but the kerb weight and excessive dimensions imply that any talk about handling is non-sense.  

If Mitsubishi think the first ever GDI V8 were a selling point, it must be mad. Those 60-year-old-plus tycoons buy this car for its conservative style and loads of luxury features, but by no means because of space-age technology or innovative ideas. Comparatively, Toyota’s V12 sounds more decent. 

In short, Proudia has nothing to be proud of.

Dignity: LWB version.
 

The above report was last updated on 26 Mar 2000. All Rights Reserved.

Specifications

Model
Proudia 3.5 V6
Proudia 4.5 V8
Layout
Front-engined, Rwd.
Front-engined, Rwd.
Dimensions
Proudia: L / W / H / WB: 5050 / 1870 / 1475 / 2830 mm
Dignity: L / W / H / WB: 5335 / 1870 / 1485 / 3080 mm
Engine
V6, dohc, 4v/cyl, direct-injection
V8, dohc, 4v/cyl, direct-injection
Capacity
3496 c.c.
4498 c.c.
Power
240 hp
280 hp
Torque
253 lbft
304 lbft
Transmission
5A
5A
Suspensions
F: strut / R: multi-link
Tyres
225/60 R16
215/60 R16
Weight
1950 kg
1990 kg (Dignity: 2150 kg)
Top speed
N/A
N/A
0-60 mph
N/A
N/A
0-100 mph
N/A
N/A
 

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