Mitsubishi Galant VR4
| 6th generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1987–1992 |
| Assembly | Nagoya Plant, Okazaki, Aichi |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front engine, four-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1997 cc DOHC 16v I4, turbo |
| Transmission |
Four-wheel drive, 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| 8th generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1996–2003 |
| Assembly | Nagoya Plant, Okazaki, Aichi |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 5-door wagon |
| Layout | Front engine, four-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2498 cc DOHC 24v V6, twin-turbo |
| Transmission |
Four-wheel drive, 5-speed semi-auto 5-speed manual |
The Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 was the range-topping version of Mitsubishi Motors' Galant model, available in the sixth (1988–92), seventh (1992–96) and eighth (1996–2002) generations of the vehicle. Originally introduced to comply with the new Group A regulations of the World Rally Championship, it was soon superseded as Mitsubishi's competition vehicle by the Lancer Evolution, and subsequently developed into a high-performance showcase of the company's technology.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) sought to improve its image through the established path of participation in motorsport. The Lancer 1600 GSR and Pajero/Montero/Shogun both achieved great success in rallying and Rally Raid events, and eventually the company planned an attempt on the Group B class of the World Rally Championship with a four-wheel drive version of its Starion coupé. However, the class was outlawed following several fatal accidents in 1985 and '86, and Mitsubishi was forced to reassess its approach. It instead homologated the recently introduced sixth generation of its Galant sedan for the Group A class, using the mechanical underpinnings from its aborted Starion prototype. Between 1988 and '92, it was campaigned by the official factory outfit, Mitsubishi Ralliart Europe, winning three events in the hands of Mikael Ericsson (1989 1000 Lakes Rally),Pentti Airikkala (1989 Lombard RAC Rally) and Kenneth Eriksson (1991 Swedish Rally). It was also driven to outright victory in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championships by Kenjiro Shinozuka (1988) and Ross Dunkerton (1991–92), and the American National GT Championship (1992) by Tim O'Neil.
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