Mitsubishi Proudia
| Mitsubishi Proudia | |
|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Proudia | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
| Production | 1999–2001 |
| Assembly | Nagoya plant, Okazaki, Aichi |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Luxury car |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Related | Mitsubishi Dignity Hyundai Equus |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6G74 3.5 L V6 8A80 4.5 L V8 |
| Transmission | INVECS-II 5-speed semi auto |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2830 mm |
| Length | 5050 mm |
| Width | 1870 mm |
| Height | 1475 mm |
| Curb weight | 1950–2265 kg |
The Mitsubishi Proudia is a luxury car manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors from late 1999, positioned just below the flagship Mitsubishi Dignity limousine in the company's range. Its name is a portmanteau derived from the English word "proud", and "diamond" (referring to the company's logo) as a "fitting epithet for Mitsubishi Motors' ultimate luxury car",[1] The entire Proudia/Dignity range was co-developed with Hyundai of South Korea, who marketed their own version as the Hyundai Equus.[2]
The Proudia was priced from ¥4.6 million to ¥6.4 million, and came in three specifications labelled A, B or C. A and B featured a 6G74 3497 cc GDi V6 producing 240 PS (177 kW) at 5500 rpm and 343 N·m (253 ft·lbf) of torque at 2500 rpm, while specification C featured the 8A80 4498 cc GDi V8 producing 280 PS (206 kW) at 5000 rpm and 412 N·m (304 ft·lbf) at 4000 rpm.[1]
The Dignity and Proudia were available for only fifteen months from their introduction on February 20 2000, before Mitsubishi's financial difficulties forced the company to discontinue both models in an effort to streamline its range and reduce costs.[3] The two cars' combined volumes fell shy of Mitsubishi's estimated 300 sales per month.[1] However, the Hyundai Equus remained in production, and the Korean manufacturer has recently announced plans to export their new model to the U.S. market in 2007.[4]
Production and sales
| Year | Production | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 383 | - |
| 2000 | 759 | 852 |
| 2001 | 85 | 97 (+1 export) |
(Sources: Fact & Figures 2000, Fact & Figures 2005, Mitsubishi Motors website)
Footnotes
- ^ a b c "Luxury sedan and limousine models", Mitsubishi Motors press release, December 20 1999
- ^ "Mitsubishi's new flagships", Jack Yamaguchi, Automotive Engineering International Online, March 2000
- ^ "Streamlining of production capacity and model portfolio", MMC press release, March 28 2001
- ^ "Future Vehicles Preview: 2008 Hyundai Equus Large Sedan", Inside Line, edmunds.com