Mitsubishi's flagship flopped commercially — but it was still good enough for Japan's Imperial family, with a first-generation Dignity serving Prince Akishino, the Emperor's second son.
Lead trim: Dignity 4.5 8A80 GDi V8 (280 PS)
Mitsubishi Dignity S43A1999–2001
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Mitsubishi Dignity S43A yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactMitsubishi's flagship flopped commercially — but it was still good enough for Japan's Imperial family, with a first-generation Dignity serving Prince Akishino, the Emperor's second son.
The Mitsubishi Dignity was the flagship of the company's domestic range from late 1999 to 2001, alongside the shorter Proudia (which it lengthened: roofline 10 mm higher and wheelbase 250 mm longer for rear passengers), co-manufactured with Hyundai, which sold its own version as the Equus from 1999 to 2009. A competitor to the Nissan President, Toyota Celsior and Toyota Century, it used a transverse engine with front-wheel drive — Mitsubishi's 8A80 4,498 cc 90-degree aluminum-block GDi V8 with 206 kW (280 PS) and 412 N·m, a five-speed INVECS-II automatic, MacPherson-strut front and multi-link rear suspension with self-levelling air suspension and electronic damping — and a Driver Support System (CCD cameras monitoring adjacent lanes and behind for lane-departure warning and a blind-spot monitor, and a lidar-activated adaptive cruise control). Combined Dignity and Proudia volumes fell far short of the forecast 300 a month, and both were discontinued after fifteen months on sale (introduced 20 February 2000) as Mitsubishi's financial difficulties forced a streamlined range; only 59 Dignities were built (15 in 1999, 42 in 2000, 2 in 2001), sold at Galant Shop dealers, one used by Prince Akishino.
Collectors Spotted in the Mitsubishi Dignity Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Mitsubishi Dignity yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dignity 4.5 8A80 GDi V8 (280 PS) | 1999–2001 | 4.5 L V8 | 276 hp | 304 lb-ft | — | FWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
Mitsubishi's second Dignity switched from front- to rear-wheel drive and still came out 200kg lighter than the car it replaced — bigger-feeling but leaner.
Mitsubishi's flagship flopped commercially — but it was still good enough for Japan's Imperial family, with a first-generation Dignity serving Prince Akishino, the Emperor's second son.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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