Mitsubishi Galant
Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 was a high-performance Mitsubishi Galant version available in the 6th (1988-1992), seventh (1992-96) and eighth (1996-2002) model generation.
Designed primarily by Mitsubishi in order to align in the category Group A World Rally Championship, she won the 2-liter 4G63 Mitsubishi which was grafted a turbocharger and is equipped with four-wheel drive. To meet the certification requirements of the FIA, requiring the production of 5,000 copies, Mitsubishi has made available in North America, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and other Asian Pacific territories, with 3000 reaching the United States in 1991 and 1992. four-door sedan produced up to 240 hp depending on the market, giving the car a top speed of over 205km/h and allowing him accelerate from 0-100 in 7.3 seconds. Galant VR-4 also has 4 wheel steering: the rear wheels can move in the same phase as the front wheels above 50km/h, up to 1.5 degrees.
A liftback version was also produced under the name Eterna ZR-4. The latter had a few minor cosmetic differences, but was mechanically identical to the sedan VR-4.
For 1992, replacing the Galant VR-4 rally by the smallest Lancer Evolution has meant that Mitsubishi was able to design the new VR-4 without considering the constraints of competition. AWD has been renewed, but the 4G63T 4 cylinder was replaced by a 2.0 L V6 turbo. Two gearboxes are offered: a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed automatic transmission INVECS. She was able to accomplish in the 0-100 about 6.5 seconds and could reach 230km/h.
The latest generation of VR-4 was introduced in 1996. Engine capacity was enlarged substantially to 2.5 liters, which increased the power by 15 percent to the Japanese legal limit of 280 hp. The car was now capable of over 255km/h and can accelerate from 0-100 in about six seconds.
The Type-V model can be ordered with manual 5-speed or optional existing INVECS-II, which was now a semi-auto self advanced 5 speed based on the Porsche Tiptronic transmission, while the model types offered the optional active yaw control (AYC). This complex rear differential was first seen on Lancer Evo IV, and used an array of sensors to detect and quell oversteer, giving the VR-4 great agility for a vehicle of its size and weight.
With the 8th generation Galant, Mitsubishi introduced a family (break) (known in many markets as the Legnum) to replace the old hatchback 5-door, and the VR-4 was now available in both bodies.
Although not officially available outside of Japan, many fans around the world have imported the Galant VR-4 in their countries, particularly the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
The production of the VR-4 was stopped in 2002 with the rest of the eighth generation, and there was no indication of a direct replacement. At Auto Show Chicago 2006 Mitsubishi America unveiled the "Galant Ralliart", but it was powered by a 260 hp version of the 6G75 American vehicle suction atmotsphérique 3.8L V6 Eclipse GT. The future of the Galant VR-4 remains uncertain.
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