The eighth-generation 1996 model (July 7, 1998 in America) continued the 1992 design themes but a station wagon (known in Japan as the Mitsubishi Legnum) was added. The liftback was deleted. This model won the 1996–97 Car of the Year Japan award. Despite being superseded in the U.S. from 2003, it remained on sale in other countries until 2006. Mitsubishi built the eight generation Galant as an affordable alternative to the BMW, as more emphasis was directed towards refinement and astounding vehicle dynamics, coupled with a sharp chassis, and advanced independent suspension:the Galant became a huge seller especially in Europe[citation needed]. The American market Galant graduated to the EPA mid-size class this year. The front suspension downgraded from double-wishbones to struts, though the rear upgraded with a stabilizer bar standard on all but the base DE model. ES, LS and GTZ models were offered with a 195 hp V6 engine for the first time, the 6G72 3.0 L, mated to a standard 4-speed conventional auto.
Mitsubishi opted to further develop the technology in its range-topping VR-4, which was now powered by an enlarged 2.5 L V6 twin turbo. The car could be had with either a conventional 5-speed manual or advanced, self-learning 5-speed Tiptronic semi-automatic transmission known as "INVECS-II". Also, some models were fitted with the same advanced active yaw control (AYC) as the Evo, to give it far greater agility than would be expected of such a large vehicle. Finally, as with the rest of the range, the VR-4 could now be had either as a Galant sedan or as a Legnum station wagon.Mitsubishi added one of it's high performance sports version galant, code named VR-M,which shared the 6A12 engine, found on the MITSUBISHI FTO GPX,and featured a 2.OL, 24 valve with variable valve timing, referred to as MIVEC(Mitsubishi innovative variable-valve-timing-and -lift electronic control) V6 engine,which produced 200 bhp@7500 rpm.only a hand full were made for the eighth generation gallant,as its superior torque delivery and acceleration times(0-60mph in 6.9 secs),was appreciated by many.
In 1998 the company introduced the Mitsubishi Aspire. Externally identical to the regular Galant, the new model name denoted the newly-introduced gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines.
Production August 1996–2003
Class Mid-size
Body style(s) 4-door sedan
5-door wagon
Layout Front engine, front-wheel drive/four-wheel drive
Engine(s) 1.8L 4G93 GDI I4
2.0 L I4
2.0 L 6A12 V6
2.4 L 4G64 I4
2.5 L 6A13 V6
2.5 L 6A13TT V6 twin turbo
3.0 L 6G72 V6
Transmission(s) 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
5-speed semi-automatic
Wheelbase 2635 mm (103.7 in)
Length 4660 mm (187.8 in)
Width 1740 mm (68.5 in)
Height 1410–1420 mm (55.3–55.7 in)
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This post has been edited by Kaster on 28 Oct 2008, 16:39 
MITSUBISHI CLUB, Part IV
