Mitsubishi Dignity (first generation)

The first-generation Mitsubishi Dignity, code S43A, was the flagship of Mitsubishi's domestic range from late 1999 to 2001, built alongside the shorter Proudia. It was designed by Mitsubishi Motors and co-manufactured with Hyundai of South Korea, which marketed its own version as the Hyundai Equus. The Dignity was introduced to rival the Nissan President, Toyota Celsior and Toyota Century, but Mitsubishi chose a transversely mounted engine and front-wheel drive. It used the 4.5 litre 8A80 aluminium-block 90-degree GDi V8 making 206 kW, MacPherson front struts, a multi-link rear and a self-levelling air suspension, with a roof 10 mm higher and a wheelbase 250 mm longer than the Proudia. A Driver Support System used CCD cameras and a lidar adaptive cruise control. Sales fell far short of the forecast 300 a month and lasted only fifteen months from 20 February 2000 before both models were discontinued, although the Equus ran until 2008.