Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 Originally introduced to comply with the new Group A regulations of the World Rally Championship, it was soon superseded as Mitsubishi's competition vehicle by the Lancer Evolution, and subsequently developed into a high-performance showcase of the company's technology.
Contents |
[edit] Background & competition history
Throughout the 1970s and '80s, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) sought to improve its image through the established path of participation in motorsport. The Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR and Pajero/Montero/Shogun both achieved great success in rallying and Rally Raid events,[1][2] 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 1986 & '87, and Mitsubishi was forced to re-assess 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),[3] Pentti Airikkala (1989 Lombard RAC Rally)[4] and Kenneth Eriksson (1991 Swedish Rally).[5] It was also driven to outright victory in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championships by Kenjiro Shinozuka (1988) and Ross Dunkerton (1991–92).
However, Mitsubishi — and their competitors — realised that the WRC cars of the '80s were simply too big and ungainly for the tight, winding roads of rally stages. Ford migrated the Sierra/Sapphire Cosworth to a smaller Escort-based bodyshell; Subaru developed the Impreza to succeed their Legacy; and Toyota eventually replaced the Celica coupe with the Corolla. Mitsubishi, meanwhile, carried the VR-4's engine/transmission over to the new Lancer Evolution, bringing to an end the Galant's representation in MMC's motorsport efforts.
[edit] 6th generation (E38A/E39A)
| 6th generation | |
 |
|
| Production: | 1988–1992 |
|---|---|
| Class: | Compact car |
| Body style: | 4-door sedan |
| Engine: | 1997 cc DOHC 16v I4, turbo |
| Transmission: | Four-wheel drive, 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Similar: | Subaru Legacy RS Ford Sapphire Cosworth 4x4 Lancia Delta Integrale |
Group A regulations dictated a turbocharged engine of 2.0 L displacement and a four-wheel drive transmission. In order to satisfy the mandatory minimum sales requirements of 5,000 units, Mitsubishi made it available in North America, New Zealand, Australia, Japan & other Asian Pacific Rim territories, with 3,000 reaching the United States in 1991 and '92.[6] In road-going trim the four-door sedan produced 198 PS, giving the car a top speed of over 130 mph and allowing it to accelerate from 0-60 in 7.3 seconds, with a quarter mile elapsed time of 15.6 seconds.
[edit] Technical specifications
- Engine
- Configuration — DOHC 16v inline 4 cylinder
- Code — 4G63T
- Bore/stroke, capacity — 85.0 x 88.0 mm, 1997 cc
- Compression ratio — 7.8:1
- Fuelling — ECI-MULTI, Premium unleaded fuel
- Peak power — 146 kW (198 PS) @ 6000 rpm
- Peak torque — 294 N·m (217 ft·lbf) @ 3500 rpm
- Configuration — DOHC 16v inline 4 cylinder
- Transmission — 4 speed auto / 5 speed manual
- Suspension — MacPherson struts (front), double wishbones (rear)
- Dimensions
- Length — 4560 mm
- Width — 1695 mm
- Height — 1440 mm
- Wheelbase — 2600 mm
- Kerb weight — 1380 kg
- Fuel tank — 62 L
- Wheels/tyres — 195/60 R15 86H
[edit] 7th generation (E84A)
| 7th generation | |
 |
|
| Production: | 1992–1996 |
|---|---|
| Class: | Mid-size car |
| Body style: | 4-door sedan |
| Engine: | 1998 cc DOHC 24v V6, twin-turbo |
| Transmission: | Four-wheel drive, 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Similar: | Subaru Legacy GT Alfa Romeo 155 Q4 |
For 1992, the emergence of the homologated Lancer meant the top-spec Galant was no longer constrained by sporting regulations. The existing, proven 4WD transmission was carried over, in keeping with Mitsubishi's reputation for performance-enhancing technology, but the old straight-4 was superseded by a smoother twin-turbo 2.0 L V6, and mated either to a conventional 5-speed manual, or a 4-speed INVECS auto complete with "fuzzy logic", which allowed the transmission to adapt to the driver's style and road conditions "on the fly". It was capable of dispatching the 0-60 sprint in about 6.5 seconds, and if derestricted could reach about 140 mph.
[edit] Technical specifications
- Engine
- Configuration — DOHC 24v V type 6 cylinder
- Code — 6A12TT
- Bore/stroke, capacity — 78.4 x 69.0 mm, 1998 cc
- Compression ratio — 8.5:1
- Fuelling — ECI-MULTI, Premium unleaded fuel
- Peak power — 177 kW (240 PS) @ 6000 rpm
- Peak torque — 309 N·m (228 ft·lbf) @ 3500 rpm
- Configuration — DOHC 24v V type 6 cylinder
- Transmission — 4 speed auto / 5 speed manual
- Suspension — Multi-link (front & rear)
- Dimensions
- Length — 4630 mm
- Width — 1730 mm
- Height — 1410 mm
- Wheelbase — 2635 mm
- Kerb weight — 1430 kg
- Fuel tank — 64 L
- Wheels/tyres — 205/60 R15 91V
[edit] 8th generation (EC5A/EC5W)
| 8th generation | |
 |
|
| Production: | 1996–2002 |
|---|---|
| Class: | Mid-size car |
| Body style: | 4-door sedan, station wagon |
| Engine: | 2498 cc DOHC 24v V6, twin-turbo |
| Transmission: | Four-wheel drive, 5-speed semi-auto 5-speed manual |
| Similar: | Subaru Legacy B4 RSK/GT-B |
The final VR-4 was introduced in 1996. The engine capacity was enlarged substantially to 2.5 L, which pushed the power up by 15% to the Japanese voluntary limit of 280 PS. The car was now capable of over 150 mph when derestricted, and could accelerate from 0-60 in about six seconds.
The Type-V model could be specified with either the existing 5-speed manual or the optional INVECS-II, which was now a highly advanced self-learning 5-speed semi-auto based on Porsche's Tiptronic transmission, while the Type-S model offered the optional Active Yaw Control (AYC). This complex rear diff was first seen on the Lancer Evo IV, and used an array of sensors to detect and quell oversteer, giving the ultimate VR-4 great agility for a vehicle of its size and weight.
With the 8th generation of the Galant, Mitsubishi introduced a station wagon (known in many markets as the Legnum) to replace the old 5-door hatchback, and the VR-4 was now available in both body styles.
North America and Europe were again denied this model, but the burgeoning grey import trade meant that it developed a cult following in several overseas territories, especially the United Kingdom and New Zealand. In 2000 MMC's motorsport partner Ralliart was contracted to type-approve Galants and Lancers for UK sales, and 200 VR-4s were officially imported before production finally ceased two years later.
[edit] Technical specifications
- Engine
- Configuration — DOHC 24v V type 6 cylinder
- Code — 6A13TT
- Bore/stroke, capacity — 81.0 × 80.8 mm, 2498 cc
- Compression ratio — 8.5:1
- Fuelling — ECI-MULTI, Premium unleaded fuel
- Peak power — 205 kW (280 PS) @ 5500 rpm
- Peak torque — 367 N·m (271 ft·lbf) @ 4000 rpm
- Configuration — DOHC 24v V type 6 cylinder
- Transmission — 5 speed semi-auto / 5 speed manual
- Suspension — Multi-link (front & rear)
- Dimensions
- Length — 4680 mm
- Width — 1760 mm
- Height — 1420 mm
- Wheelbase — 2635 mm
- Kerb weight — 1520 kg
- Fuel tank — 60 L
- Wheels/tyres — 225/50 R16 91V
[edit] Future
Production of the VR-4 was halted in 2002 along with the rest of the Japanese-produced eighth generation, and there has been no indication of a direct replacement. At the 2006 Chicago Auto Show Mitsubishi North America debuted the "Galant Ralliart", but this was a US-market vehicle powered by the 260 PS version of the naturally-aspirated 6G75 3.8 L V6 from the Eclipse GT.[7] The Galant VR-4 has most likely been consigned to history, obsoleted by marketing (rally-derived technology is now restricted to the Lancer Evo model), motorsport regulations (the adoption of World Rally Cars by the WRC negates the need for road-going homologation specials), and ever-stricter economy and emissions legislation.
[edit] External links
- Galant VR-4 at Mitsubishi Motors Web Museum
- Technical specifications
- GalantVR4.org — US-based owners' club concentrating on the 6th generation Galant VR-4
- ClubVR4.com — UK- & NZ-based club concentrating on the 7th/8th generation Galant/Legnum VR-4
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Lancer 1600GSR, Mitsubishi Motors' Web Museum
- ^ "Pajero - King of the Desert", Mitsubishi Motors' Web Museum
- ^ 39th 1000 Lakes Rally, Final classification, Rallybase.nl website
- ^ 38th Lombard RAC Rally, Final classification, Rallybase.nl website
- ^ 40th International Swedish Rally, Final classification, Rallybase.nl website
- ^ Mitsubishi Galant VR-4s imported into the United States (6th generation), GalantVR4.org website
- ^ "2007 Galant Ralliart — Chicago World Intro", chicagoautoshow.com, 2006
