Buyer's guide
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Buyer's guide & specs
Quick answer
The Galant was a Mitsubishi sedan. This guide covers three Japanese generations: the sixth (from October 1987), whose VR-4 is the turbocharged four-wheel-drive rally car; the seventh (from May 1992), with new V6 engines; and the eighth (from August 1996), whose VR-4 has a 2.5-litre twin-turbo V6. Check engine and grade documents before the chassis code.
Background
The Galant was a Mitsubishi sedan line. The VR-4 used a 4G63 turbo four in the sixth generation, a 6A12 2.0-litre twin-turbo V6 in the seventh-generation E84A, and a 6A13 2.5-litre twin-turbo V6 in the eighth generation. Check the engine, transmission, grade and frame number against the car's documents.
Quick read
Constants
Chassis history
Dates are Mitsubishi's Japanese sale starts. Each generation page has its own specification tables, recalls and checklist.
Identification
Generation names are broad families. The factory chassis codes below identify the variants represented in JDMBUYSELL's current Mitsubishi Galant guide data.
Confirm the complete code on the vehicle's frame or VIN plate; drivetrain, body, and market variants can use different prefixes within one generation family.
Specs
Full-time 4WD with viscous-coupling centre differential and four-wheel steering. JAF's 1987 competition register lists a turbo, four-wheel-steering E39A at 1,997 cc.
Best Car's summary of the 1989 update.
Bonnet air scoop on 240 PS cars (Best Car). Mitsubishi says the Lancer Evolution's 250 PS was 10 PS more than the sixth-generation VR-4.
AUTO BILD reports 500 built for Japan only; no factory total found.
GAZOO separates the launch versions. Mitsubishi's retrospective heritage overview instead describes 280 PS with the 5AT. Both use full-time 4WD.
GAZOO's May 1992 catalogue entries for the E84A VR-4. Ratings for other grades are not established.
Lineup
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sixth generation (e10, Japan) | VR-4 (on sale December 1987) | 4G63 intercooled turbo, 205 PS | Full-time 4WD with viscous-coupling centre differential, four-wheel steering, four-wheel ABS; five-speed manual, four-speed automatic optional. JAF's 1987 competition register lists a turbo, four-wheel-steering E39A. |
| Sixth generation (e10, Japan) | VR-4 revisions (1989, 1990) | 4G63 intercooled turbo, 220 PS manual and 210 PS automatic (1989), 240 PS manual (1990) | The 240 PS cars have a bonnet air scoop. Dates from Best Car's summary. |
| Sixth generation (e10, Japan) | VR-4 RS (February 1988) | 4G63 intercooled turbo | Competition-base version with simplified equipment (Motor Magazine). |
| Sixth generation (e10, Japan) | Galant AMG (from 1989) | AMG-modified 2.0 L naturally aspirated; AUTO BILD: 170 PS in the text, 177 PS in the headline | Developed with AMG of Germany (Mitsubishi). AUTO BILD reports 500 built for Japan only; no factory total found. |
| Sixth generation (e10, Japan) | Standard grades (1987 register) | E31A 4G32 1,597 cc; E32A 4G37 1,755 cc; E33A 4G63 1,997 cc | Mitsubishi lists 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.0 turbo engines. JAF also lists four-wheel-drive 2.0 L cars as E38A and E39A, with and without a turbo. |
| Seventh generation (e80, Japan) | V6 petrol line (from May 1992) | 6A11 1.8 L V6; 6A12 2.0 L V6 | Mitsubishi says the 6A12 was the first engine in its class to combine twin turbochargers with an intercooler. |
| Seventh generation (e80, Japan) | Four-cylinder and diesel line | 4G93 SOHC (MVV from October 1993); 2.0 L diesel turbo listed | Mitsubishi's typical-model line-up lists 1.8, 2.0, 2.0 turbo and 2.0 diesel-turbo engines. |
| Eighth generation (ea0, Japan) | VR-4 (EC5A, from August 1996) | 6A13 2.5 L V6 intercooled twin turbo; launch 5MT: 280 PS, 37.0 kgf·m; Type S 5AT: 260 PS, 35.0 kgf·m (GAZOO) | Launch VR-4: 5MT; Type S: INVECS-II Sport Mode 5AT (GAZOO). Mitsubishi's heritage overview instead pairs 280 PS with the 5AT. Full-time 4WD; AYC and ASC depended on trim. Recall 784 covers ASC-equipped EC5A built 7 August 1996 to 21 July 1998. |
| Eighth generation (ea0, Japan) | 1.8 GDI (from August 1996) | 1.8 L Gasoline Direct Injection | Mitsubishi's first mass-production GDI car. ABS standard across the launch range. |
| Eighth generation (ea0, Japan) | 2.4 GDI (added August 1998) | 2.4 L Gasoline Direct Injection | Added in August 1998 (Mitsubishi). |
| Eighth generation (ea0, Japan) | 2.0 GDI (from May 2000) | 2.0 L Gasoline Direct Injection | Replaced the 1.8 L GDI in May 2000 (Mitsubishi). |
Gallery
Editorial
The sixth-generation Galant VR-4 uses a 4G63 turbo four with four-wheel steering; the eighth-generation VR-4 uses a 2.5-litre twin-turbo V6. Confirm the engine and grade from the car's documents, check the frame number against the applicable recall ranges, and use the individual build date for import eligibility.
FAQ
Citations
Sources last verified: