Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 E39A
The Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 was one of the most technologically advanced sedans of its era and played a crucial role in Mitsubishi's motorsport history. VR-4 stood for 'Viscous Realtime 4WD,' referencing the car's permanent all-wheel-drive system. The seventh-generation Galant VR-4 packed a 2.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 280 horsepower — the maximum allowed under Japan's gentleman's agreement — driving all four wheels through a sophisticated viscous coupling center differential. This was the car that took Mitsubishi rallying, with the earlier sixth-generation VR-4 winning the Ivory Coast Rally and Rallye Côte d'Ivoire before regulations forced Mitsubishi to develop the smaller Lancer Evolution. The VR-4 combined genuine sports car performance with family sedan practicality, offering active suspension, ABS, and a complete luxury interior alongside its formidable drivetrain. In Japan, the Galant VR-4 was a cult object, and its technology directly influenced the development of the Lancer Evolution that would follow. The combination of twin-turbo V6, permanent AWD, and understated sedan bodywork made the VR-4 the ultimate Japanese sleeper of the 1990s.
JDM import for most markets. The twin-turbo V6 is complex and specialist knowledge is required. Check for turbo wear and boost irregularities. AWD system should function smoothly with no binding. Active suspension systems can be expensive to repair. Rust varies by origin — Japanese domestic cars are generally cleaner. Unmodified examples are rare.
The Galant VR-4 was sold primarily in Japan and select Asian markets. The earlier (sixth-gen) Galant VR-4 achieved rallying success that led directly to the Lancer Evolution program.