In October of 1987, the Mitsubishi Galant made its model change into its 6th generation. The Galant had been a luxury model for some time, but this image was dropped in this generation, to reiterate the model as a high performance sedan. A choice of 1.6, 1.8 and 2L engines were provided, while the 2L version was given a DOHC head, and offered in normally aspirated or turbo models. There was an additional bit of news that came with this Galant; Mitsubishi was going to make a comeback into the WRC, which they had effectively placed on hold since 1983. Although an attempt to compete with a Starion converted to 4WD had been made in the interim, this had not come to pass. The Galant would pick up this baton and enter the group A category. The base machine for this was the VR-4. The VR4 was the high performance model that reigned on top of the Galants. It was a model packing the five “4”s of cutting edge technology, including 4WD, 4WS, 4IS, 4 ABS and 4 valve. Its 4G63, DOHC 2L inline 4 turbo engine produced 202 BHP with a maximum torque of 30.0 kgfm, an amazing figure exceeding even those of the Skylines and Z’s of its day. Equipped with the newest full time 4WD drive train, the VR-4 was the fastest sports sedan in Japan, able to overpower even sports cars into submission. The VR-4 evolved every year to match the advancements of its rivals. Following the release of the RS, a limited edition competition base model in February 1988, its engine power was increased to 217 BHP in 1989, and to 237 BHP in 1990. Its rallying success was spectacular, with 6 wins in the WRC, as well as wins in the Asia Pacific rally and All Japan Rally races.
£2.75
