5 January 1999, Tokyo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation gave the Mitsubishi SSU^*1 concept model its world debut at the North American International Auto Show, being held at the Cobo Center in Detroit from 4 January through 18 January (open to the general public from 9 January). This marks the second time the company has exhibited a concept vehicle at an automobile show in the United States, the first being last year.

The Mitsubishi SSU is the product of a study into the direction the SUV is expected to take on the U.S. market in the future. It is the second model to be designed by and fabricated at Mitsubishi Motors R&D of America, Inc. (MRDA), following the Mitsubishi SST^*2 announced at the 1998 Detroit Motor Show. The aggressive "Geo Mechanical^*3" styling theme gives visual expression to SSU's overall concept that melds together sports car road performance and SUV roominess.

Mitsubishi SSU

The Mitsubishi SSU has been developed as an "extreme sports vehicle" for five passengers, designed to provide the fast, sporty handling of a high-performance rally car and to satisfy the needs and requirements of "adrenaline junkies" and others who enjoy very tough outdoor sports. In realizing the concept, SSU sports the tarmac performance of the Mitsubishi GTO (3000GT in the U.S.), and Mitsubishi's World Rally Championship-winning four-wheel drive off-road technology. Inside, it boasts the roominess of the Mitsubishi PAJERO (MONTERO) and CHALLENGER (MONTERO SPORT), and provides ample stowage space for outdoor sports gear. The use of center-opening doors, with no B-pillar, facilitates passenger entry and egress as well as the loading and unloading of luggage. Styling elements giving visual expression to the aggressively sporty nature of the vehicle include thin, vertical headlamps and huge, round driving lights-both using an LED system--at the front, together with laser taillamps and red brake lamps that shine out from underneath dark tinted glass at the rear.

SSU is powered by Mitsubishi's 310ps 2.5-liter twin-turbo V6 unit, which feeds power to the wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission with Mitsubishi Motors' Sportmode that allows SSU to be shifted as a conventional automatic or clutchless manual. Features that enhance SSU's sporty performance further include Mitsubishi Motors' Active Yaw Control (AYC)^*4 system, huge 295-50R20 tires mounted on 20-inch wheels, and a multi-link suspension system supporting all four wheels.

Mitsubishi Motors currently sells some 200,000 vehicles a year through Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA). These include the ECLIPSE and GALANT models built at Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, Inc. (MMMA), and the MIRAGE, MONTERO SPORT (CHALLENGER in Japan) and 3000GT (GTO in Japan) exported from Japan. The new GALANT model introduced into the U.S. market last year offers excellent value-for-money with its sporty styling and improved quality. Pointing to a new direction in the compact-size sedan market, these features have helped the new model to excellent initial sales.

Mitsubishi SSU Profile

Mitsubishi Motors models on display at 1999 Detroit Motor Show