The F4A (42 & 51) series are completely different Mitsubishi transmissions that came in the cloud cars (stratus, sebring, cirrus) equipped with the Mitsubishi 3.0v6 and 2.4L SOHC drivetrains. In other words... rebadged Mitsubishis.

Cloud cars with the Chrysler 2.0 and 2.4L DOHC engines got the A604 (remnamed 41TE).


STRATUS - L4 2.0L/2.4L V6 2.5L - 41TE A604
STRATUS - L4 2.4L SOHC F4A42-2
STRATUS - V6 3.0L F4A51-2


I'm not sure how Mitsubishi developed their F4A transmissions or electronics... you may be on to something by claiming they are Mercedes inspired. Here is a link to a Mitsu auto trans wiki with info about the F4As and their INVECS II technology...

http://magna.trynsave.net/index.php?...tic_Transaxles