It’s a shame the FTO was only available in extremely limited numbers outside of Japan, because the front-driver is a nimble handler wrapped with unusual and unique (not to mention attractive) styling. Similar in concept to the Eclipse which was co-developed with Chrysler, the FTO is a more Japanese concept in practice, featuring a tiny 2-liter V6—one of the smallest production V6 engines in the world. The engine also boasts MIVEC, Mitsubishi’s variable valve timing technology, for better breathing at high RPMs. The GP Version R is a stripped-down, lightweight edition of the FTO, and sharpens the handling of what is already one of the best front-drive cars of its era—boasting a large rear wing to visually differentiate it from lesser FTOs. Incredibly popular in Japan, the FTO was regularly at the top of the sales charts until its demise after just one generation. The Eclipse continued the FTO’s trend towards V6 power after the FTO stopped production, moving the company away from peaky turbocharged engines to take advantage of the favorable torque curve of the V6.
