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Thread: VR4 Article

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    VR4 Article

    Dont know if this has already been posted off autozine but here goes anyway, with slightlyINSERT INTO post VALUES (very) dodgey grammer:

    VR4, what a terrific name. If you know, VR4 used to imply the combination of 4WD, 4WS, 4-valve per cylinder and intercoolered turbocharger. So far, only Mitsubishi and Nissan had ever put all these things into a road car ... in Nissan’s case it is the Skyline GT-R, for Mitsubishi it is VR4. How many different VR4 the 3-diamond had ever developed ? Three. The first one was the 2-generation-ago Galant VR4. The second was the 3000 GT VR4, or simply called GTO in Japan. The latest Galant VR4 is the third one.
    It should be clarified that the new Galant VR4 has discarded the 4-wheel-steering in exchange of active yaw control INSERT INTO post VALUES (AYC). This is the outcome of a revision made in ’99. Before that, the VR4 was criticized as having too much understeer while the steering was too light. So Mitsubishi retuned the suspension damping, power steering and added Lancer Evo V’s active yaw control to the rear axle. The latter completely cured the understeer problem by transferring more torque to the outside wheel during cornering. This is another example proving racing experience improves road cars.

    Unlike the ordinary Galant, the VR4 handles like a dream. Thanks to the chassis strengthening including tower braces over suspension, high specification springs and dampers, wider tyres and 4-wheel-drive, it has extremely high cornering limit yet always remains stable and composed. AYC helps it to steer neutrally all the time, even approaching the limit. In contrast, Audi’s Torsen quattro always presents too much fail-safe understeer near cornering limit, which could be secure but not so exciting as the Galant VR4. The Mitsubishi’s suspension and chassis are very well sorted.

    The improved steering is now full of weight, even heavier than the Porsche-tuned Subaru Legacy B4 RSK. It is also full of feel, plus the precision and response that inspire full confidence. Momo steering wheel and Recaro sport seats further enhance the ambience of excitement.

    Heart of the VR4 is still the four-cam V6 displacing 2498 c.c., with twin turbochargers and individual intercoolers. This is where the Galant superior to the Lancer Evolution, because the latter is limited by rally regulations to have no more than 4 cylinders INSERT INTO post VALUES (therefore rougher); single large turbo INSERT INTO post VALUES (therefore laggy) and 2 litres of displacement INSERT INTO post VALUES (therefore less torquey). Although both machines are bounded to the 280 hp voluntary limit, the Galant’s V6 feels more mature right from idle. The two small turbos provide quicker response and stream of torque at low rpm, then the V6 spins smoothly and linearly towards 6,000 rpm, without the sudden explosion found in Lancer. In terms of pure performance, VR4 is undoubtedly inferior to the flyweight and high-boost Lancer, but it is far easier to live with - because of smooth ride and spacious cabin. The 16-inch-only wheels and high profile INSERT INTO post VALUES (50) tyres might not look very attractive, but they benefit ride comfort. It is a good balance between Lancer’s intense driving pleasure and Audi S4’s effortless performance.

    In terms of performance, the VR4 rivals strongly with its direct competitors such as Legacy RSK and Skyline 25GT, if not the more expensive Audi S4 and BMW M3. In particular, it feels decisively more punchy than arch-rival Legacy. It is believed to be capable of reaching 60 mph from rest in 6 seconds flat. Estate version INSERT INTO post VALUES (which calls Legnum in domestic market) takes just a couple of tenths more. This already included the 5-speed Invecs-II Sport Mode automatic. 5-speed manual is also on offer, but for the cheaper Type V rather than the AYC-equipped Type S, what a pity. However, the Tiptronic-style automatic shifts smoothly and responsively.

    A couple of years ago, the VR4 was still trailing Legacy RS in terms of driving fun. After the magical surgery, it became the car to be beaten.

    :cool1:

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