Japan · Early Japanese production specification: 1988; launch: December 1987

Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

Before the Lancer Evolution, Mitsubishi joined turbo power, full-time four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and ABS in one sedan.

Rally-bred sports sedan

Exact 1988 VR-4 model and sixth-generation sedan; Japanese private-import origin is inferred from timing and badging, not independently documented.

Rear three-quarter exterior · Photo shows Exact 1988 VR-4 model and sixth-generation sedan; Japanese private-import origin is inferred from timing and badging, not independently documented..
1988 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 · Jeremy / car_spots_aus · CC BY 2.0

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Research pending

A matching completed auction sale has not been verified for this exact year, body, trim, engine, transmission and market.

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A place in vehicle history

More than a set of wheels.

Mitsubishi launched the Galant VR-4 in Japan in December 1987, so a 1988 car is an early production example rather than a separate launch generation. It combined the 4G63 turbo engine with Mitsubishi's Active Four suite and became the company's Group A rally weapon. Its technology and engine line later fed directly into the smaller Lancer Evolution concept.

Look a little closer.

Active Four covered four cooperating ideas: four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, independent suspension for all four wheels and four-wheel ABS.

Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.

Active Four was a system

Mitsubishi treated traction, steering, suspension and braking as cooperating pieces. Full-time 4WD shared engine force, four-wheel steering helped direction changes, independent suspension let each wheel move and ABS managed lockup.

Source: Mitsubishi Motors · all-wheel-control history ↗

The large ancestor of the Lancer Evolution

The Galant carried Mitsubishi's first modern Group A package. Mitsubishi later transferred the matured 4G63 turbo and viscous-center-differential 4WD ideas into the lighter Lancer Evolution, making the VR-4 an engineering bridge.

Source: Mitsubishi Motors · WRC 1988–1992 ↗

Where these facts come from

Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 3, 2026.

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