The 380 VRX "Fusion Burst" was based on the VRX and comes in a limited-edition orange hue. Media coverage was massive, of course. Standard equipment included: twin front and side airbags, climate control air-conditioning, cruise control, power windows, trip computer, steering wheel audio controls, and Bosch 8.0 anti-lock braking system.On 28 April 2006, Mitsubishi announced price reductions with the introduction of the Series II upgrade. However, in the interests of NVH, the production TMR runs helical rather than straight-cut gears and opts for pressure-fed engine oil lubrication.Inside the production TMR it's almost stock VRX. Badged TMR380 Supercharged, 15 had already been assembled at Team Mitsubishi Ralliart's Dandenong HQ, with another five donor VRX Series IIIs on the way from Adelaide for conversion.TMR is an independent outfit owned by motorsport veteran Alan Heaphy. Browse Unique Car Features Mitsubishi Supercharged TMR 380 February 5, 2008 will go down as a dark day in the history of the Australian automotive industry. Mitsubishi Supercharged TMR 380
Power and torque claims are the same - 230kW at 5250rpm and 442Nm at 4000rpm, both figures well up on the standard 380's 175kW and 343Nm. "It's actually a bloody nice car to drive," Heaphy says as he rips back the cover.
While the 380 was exported to other countries in small numbers, in the interest of salvaging local production, Mitsubishi Australia had also entered into negotiations with On 5 February 2008 Mitsubishi Motors Australia announced that the Clovelly Park plant would be shut down on 31 March, and Mitsubishi would pursue a "full import strategy" for the Australian market due to unviable 380 sales.In October 2009, the president of Mitsubishi Motors, Osama Masuko revealed in hindsight that it "was good that we closed the plant in March 2008 because this was the time the economy was still good and employees could find reemployment. That's no faster than a standard VRX auto tested by Wheels magazine in January 2007.
However, to 400m it's a couple of tenths quicker at 15.7sec and it's a massive 0.8sec quicker from 80-120km/h once the (still fairly tight) engine is untethered.The chassis set-up has a similar comfort zone built into it. An SX model was introduced, priced at $32,990, while the LS model was dropped.
That was when Mitsubishi gave up the fight and announced it would close its Tonsley Park assembly plant in Adelaide. "Eighteen TMR380s went to dealers, McEniry bought one for Mitsubishi and Heaphy kept 001 for himself. The first of which was a The name 380 was chosen as a fresh start to Mitsubishi's sale of its sole Australian-made vehicle, given that the From the very beginning of the project, Mitsubishi had always intended that the Compared to the Galant, there were changes to 70 percent of the car to create a car more suited to the Australian market.The 380 was a sedan only and its sole powerplant was an all-new 3.8-litre V6 engine codenamed Between September 2005 and January 2008, the 380 was produced and marketed in three series, as listed below.The 380 went on sale on 13 October 2005. If you’re from outside of Australia, simply email us at supercharge@bulletcars.com your vehicle details for a price including shipping worldwide.
On smoother stuff it's a faithful steer, with a stuck-down rear-end and a tendency toward understeer as corner speeds rise.The brakes are the stellar performers here - six-piston calipers clamping 370mm discs up-front, four-piston calipers and 340mm discs at the rear.
Mitsubishi Supercharged TMR 380
This thing stops hard! Audi knows a thing or two about sports cars winessed by a cabinet full of Le Mans trophies
There would be no problem using this car as a daily driver as some owners apparently do, even though it rolls on low-profile 225/45ZR19 Yokohama Advan Sport rubber and the suspension height has been lowered 43mm. The show car's Recaro buckets, red leather trim and Eclipse entertainment centre are gone. Looking back through the Unique Cars classifieds...Media coverage was massive, of course. The RRP was hefty at $56,990, but it intentionally undercut Toyota's TRD Aurion - remember that car? The show car generated a positive response and Mitsubishi Australia boss, Rob McEniry, immediately declared his desire to build a production version. Even before the car's launch in October 2005, the 380 was stigmatised as the "make or break" model for Mitsubishi Australia.The development of the 380 began in 2002, when company executives in Japan gave approval to Mitsubishi Australia to commence work on two closely related vehicles. Anticipating that, low-end power has been deliberately "peeled back" via the Sprintex piggyback ECU that couples-up with the standard Bosch controller.It means the blown V6 is quite flat below 3000rpm, but then becomes increasingly lively, the whine from the serpentine belt-drive becoming increasingly obvious as revs rise.Electronically timed - with traction control on and off - the TMR380 recorded an unimpressive 8.2sec 0-100km/h time. Browse News & Reviews Repeatedly.
It's quickly apparent that Heaphy and his able lieutenant Peter West have set the car up to be comfortable rather than a rock-hard racer.That's obvious the moment you hit the throttle … and the steering wheel doesn't try and jerk out of your hands.
"So we kept pushing the boat and pushing the boat and dealers who knew what this thing could be bought one or two and sold them … and went from there.