While the Mitsubishi FTO wasn't the fastest car of its time, neither was it a slug.

The Mitsubishi FTO is a small, two-seater sports car that was produced by the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors from 1994 to 2000. It was originally planned as a replacement for the Mitsubishi 3000GT, but ended up being positioned as a more affordable sports car.

Coming in both coupé and convertible body styles, the FTO was (and still is) an absolute beauty and delight to drive. It was ahead of its time in both style and performance. But what makes this JDM so underrated, and why has it been relatively forgotten barely two decades after its invention?

Notably, the FTO never made it to the United States market, which is a shame because it would have been a hit! It was, however, introduced in Europe and other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and even Malaysia.

Even so, the FTO became the first sports car to win the Japanese Car of the Year award after the Toyota MR2 in 1984, an indication of how good it was. Here is an overview of the Mitsubishi FTO models, with a major focus on features and specifications.

Related: 10 Reasons Why The Mitsubishi FTO Is Awesome

This car is powered by a front-wheel-drive layout. This is in contrast to the rear-wheel-drive Starion and Galant VR-4 which preceded it. The FTO has a double-wishbone suspension at the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear.

There are six models of the FTO. The base model is the GA, followed by the GB, GX, GPX, and VR-4. The VR-4 is the only model to have an all-wheel drive. The FTO comes in either a coupé or a Targa top. Talk of a convertible model that never materialized.

The exterior of the FTO is a beauty to behold. It has sleek curves, pop-up headlights, and a modern sporty look. The interior is just as good, with comfortable bucket seats and a well-designed dashboard. And although it's a small car, it has enough space to comfortably seat two people.

The FTO is available in three different engine types; the naturally aspirated 1.8-liter 16V 4-cylinder unit, 2.0-liter V6, and a Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing and lift Electronic Control system (MIVEC) version of the V6. The 1.8-liter engine produces 125 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque, while the 2.0-liter V6 produces 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The MIVEC version, on the other hand, produces 200 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque.

The FTO is available with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The VR-4 model, however, comes with a 6-speed manual transmission.

The performance of the Mitsubishi FTO is a blend of power and agility. The 1.8-liter engine is peppy and fun to drive, while the 2.0-liter V6 has enough power to get you going. The VR-4, with its all-wheel drive, is the most powerful of the bunch and can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds.

With a zero to 60 mph time of 8.0 seconds, the FTO is not the fastest car around, but it's fast enough for most enthusiasts. And although it's not a race car, it's still fun to drive. It is also known for its excellent fuel economy. The 1.8-liter engine has a fuel economy of 34 MPG, while the 2.0-liter V6 has a fuel economy of 30 MPG.

The car is a blast to drive; one of the reasons why it's so underrated. It's nimble, well-balanced, and handles corners. It is great for cruising around town or taking on a twisty road.

The only downside is that the FTO, aside from housing only two people, is that it's not very reliable. There have been reports of engine failure and other mechanical problems. But if you can find a well-maintained FTO, then you're in for a treat.

Related: These Are The Best Modifications For Your Mitsubishi FTO

At a time when supremacy was all about how fast a car could go, the Mitsubishi FTO was a breath of fresh air. It wasn't the fastest car on the block, but it didn't need to be. The FTO was all about the driving experience. It was lightweight, had great handling, and was an absolute blast to drive.

But barely two decades after its inception, the FTO has all but disappeared. So, what happened? Two things led to the untimely demise of the FTO. Firstly, the car was simply too good for its own. It was so good that it started eating into the sales of Mitsubishi's other sports cars, the 3000GT and the Eclipse.

Secondly, Mitsubishi was going through some tough financial times in the late '90s and early 2000s, and they had to make some tough decisions. In the end, the FTO was one of the casualties. Mitsubishi pulled the plug on the FTO in 2000, and it's been gone ever since.

Looking back, the Mitsubishi FTO was a true gem of a car. It was fun, good-looking, and ahead of its time in many ways. It's a shame that it's no longer with us, but at least we can still appreciate it for what it was; one of the best cars Mitsubishi ever made.

Johnte Brown is an avid gearhead. When he's not writing about cars, he can be found wrenching on them or racing them at the track. He loves watchin sticoms, Dwight K. Schrute, specifically.