Z15A is the chassis code for the GTO's lightweight, non-four-wheel-steer Twin Turbo grades, introduced at the August 1993/1994 facelift and produced alongside the full-equipment Z16A through the end of GTO production in 2000. The headline version here is the JDM-only GTO MR, launched August 1994 specifically to trim weight for buyers who valued the drivetrain over the gadgets.
Overview
Where the Z16A carries every piece of technology Mitsubishi offered, Z15A deletes the four-wheel steering, Active-ECS suspension, active aero and — on the MR grade specifically — even the stereo, all in pursuit of a lower kerb weight. The engine is unchanged: the same twin-turbocharged 3.0L 6G72 V6 making around 320PS, in a car that's measurably lighter and, for many enthusiasts, more direct to drive as a result. It's the grade to look for if you want the GTO's straight-line pace and V6 soundtrack without the complexity and long-term maintenance burden of AWS and Active-ECS.
Z15A / GTO MR
No four-wheel steering, Active-ECS, active aero or (on MR specifically) stereo — equipment deleted purely to reduce weight over the Z16A.
6G72 Twin-Turbo V6, ~320PS
Identical output to the Z16A — the difference is entirely in what's built around the engine, not the engine itself.
Auction Pricing
Japanese market data puts clean GTO MR (Z15A) values broadly between ¥1,400,000 and ¥3,500,000+, generally trading a step below equivalent Z16A pricing despite its enthusiast following — the market still rewards equipment level more than outright driving purity on this platform. Well-kept, low-mileage manual examples command the top of that range. Given how few genuine MR-spec cars remain, condition and originality matter enormously, which is why we inspect every car ourselves before you commit to a bid.
What to Check
With less onboard electronics to fail, the Z15A is the simpler of the two chassis to own, but the fundamentals are the same: confirm timing belt service history on the interference 6G72, and check the AWD transfer case and viscous coupling for wear. On pop-up-headlight cars, confirm headlight motor operation, and check for rust in the usual areas around the rear arches and sills. On MR-spec cars specifically, verify the car is genuinely MR and not a re-trimmed standard Twin Turbo, since the lighter-weight cars are worth a real premium.
Import Eligibility
Fully Eligible
GTO production ended in 2000, so every Z15A has now cleared the 25-year import threshold. No waiting on eligibility here.
Fully Eligible
The entire GTO production run has now cleared the federal 25-year exemption. State registration requirements still vary — see our Import page.
MOT Only
Well past the 10-year IVA threshold, so a standard MOT is all that's needed to register — no IVA test required.
FAQ
Is the MR worth seeking out specifically?
If you want the lightest, most direct-feeling GTO Twin Turbo, yes — it's the purpose-built lightweight grade. If you'd rather have every convenience feature Mitsubishi offered, the Z16A is the better fit.
Z15A or Z16A?
They're not different eras, just different equipment tiers of the same Twin Turbo GTO — Z15A trims weight and complexity, Z16A adds AWS four-wheel steering, Active-ECS suspension and active aero. See our Z16A GTO guide for the full comparison.