2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse Review

Specifications

Remaking a Sports Coupe Icon

Japans oldest automaker, Mitsubishi Motors Corp., and its U.S. division, Mitsubishi Motors North America, has a lot riding on the success of its new Eclipse, first introduced in production trim at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, earlier this year. The sporty coupe is currently the U.S. import segment leader when it comes to sales figures, but the personal two-door category has been in a slump in recent years, at least until Ford reinvigorated it with the new Mustang.

On the positive, those wanting sporty styling and performance backed by a Japanese nameplate dont have many options anymore. What, with Toyota having effectively pulled the plug on its long-running Celica, Hondas Prelude long gone, Mazdas MX-6 a distant memory, and other Japanese offerings no longer available, only Acuras RSX and Scions new tC remain. Hyundai still offers its Tiburon, a worthy contender to the Japanese. Among the domestics, Chrysler still sells its Sebring Coupe and Dodge its two-door Stratus, while Pontiac is just in the process of bringing out its all-new G6 Coupe. But this said, most Eclipse buyers will want an import.

Also good for Mitsubishi, its new Eclipse is an entirely different animal than its two Japanese and single Korean competitors. While it targets each with regards to sporty styling and expected pricing, thats about it. The Eclipse is a bit bigger, a lot bolder and much more powerful than its compact rivals. Its based on D-segment architecture compared to the Acura, Hyundai and Scions C-segment platforms, but that said its not a large car by any stretch of the imagination.

To be more concise, the Eclipse will offer slightly more interior versatility than its competitors, with the most dramatic increases in the vehicles interior width. Leg, hip and shoulder room is as follows: legroom up front measures 42.8 inches and in back allows 29.2 inches, hip room up front totals 53.7 inches and in the rear boasts 44.4 inches, plus shoulder room stretches 54.2 inches wide for front occupants and 51.2 inches for those in back. Headroom, by the way, is set to 37.5 inches without the optional glass sunroof, and 34.6 inches with it in place. Overall interior volume reaches 97.3 cubic feet with the sunroof, while passenger volume is 81.6 cubic feet, again with the sunroof. Cargo capacity is maximized to 15.7 cubic feet.

To put this into perspective, the Eclipse offers about the same amount of front and rear legroom and headroom as the RSX, the advantage of a couple inches extra hip and shoulder room in front and rear (actually rear shoulder room is about the same), and an overall interior volume boost of 16.3 cubic feet. Cargo capacity is about the same.

While the numbers show a nominal difference between the Eclipse and the RSX, other than interior width, Ive sat inside the car and it looks and feels larger. Also, the materials Mitsubishi uses to build it are better than average, and fit and finish looks good, at least with the preproduction example available to us in Detroit, Toronto and Vancouver - preproduction examples are usually not as good as production, which bodes well for the Eclipse.

Taking a seat inside helped me to appreciate the cars comfortable and supportive front seats, which feature large bolsters to hold driver and front passenger in place during aggressive maneuvers, and integrated headrests. The four-spoke steering wheel is ideal for 9 oclock, 3 oclock hand positioning, and the unique instrument panel delivers easy readability via large motorcycle-inspired gauges. These are backlit in Ice Blue, according to Mitsubishi, but which should look nice at night.

The Eclipse interior will be available in three interior color schemes, including charcoal, or Techno-Sports in Mitsubishi-speak, medium gray (Hi-Q), and terra cotta (Avant-Garde), what I believe will be my personal favorite - I havent seen the others yet so its hard to tell, but the latter is simply decadent.

So, Mitsubishis new coupe has the edge in styling, interior size and execution, but what about performance? This is something that the Japanese brand does very well. In fact, its what Mitsubishi does better than just about any other entry-level auto manufacturer around. Its Galant sedan is a serious performer, besting the class sales leaders from handling to acceleration, while offering up a compliant ride. The Endeavor SUV is much the same. One of the best in the car-based crossover class for snaking through circuitous highways and byways, while delivering uncanny comfort that European SUVs costing thousands more cant seem to match. I would be amiss if I forgot to mention the otherworldly EVO VIII that I drove last year in regular and MR trim levels, which has recently been replaced and upgraded with the EVO IX. I said then, and I reiterate, it might just be the most engaging four-door Ive ever driven. While we cant get it here in Canada, and wont get the EVO IX either, due to a problem federalizing its bumpers, or more accurately the oil-cooler integrated within its front bumper, the Lancer Ralliart is a fair compensation prize. Its one of the best in its class too, just another example of Mitsubishis deep pool of seriously talented engineers.

The EVO, however good, has nothing to do with the Eclipse from an engineering perspective. Certainly the brands sporting DNA is passed down, just like its other models, but the new sport coupe rides on Galant/Endeavor rolling stock, which is why its so accommodating inside, and why it should track with the best in the business - something Ill find out for myself when I get to drive it later this month.

What Im looking forward to is the optional drivetrain. Not that its naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder wont be fun. While the car is a bit on the heavy side at 3,274 pounds, especially when compared to the lightweight RSX, the MIVEC-enhanced 165-horsepower base engine, as found in the Eclipse GS, should still feel energetic. Its basically the same engine that makes the Lancer Ralliart such a joy to drive, sporting three additional horsepower and an identical torque rating of 162 lb-ft.

But as refined and rev happy as the four-cylinder is, the Eclipse GTs potent 3.8-liter V6 should go a long way to make the car a Mustang V6 fighter. The car weighs a bit more than the four-cylinder Eclipse, at 3,472 pounds, but with almost a hundred horsepower in the positive the MIVEC-equipped V6 should more than make up for the curbweight handicap.

MIVEC stands for Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and lift Electronic Control, by the way, a system that both engines receive. While optimizing emissions and fuel economy, the sophisticated system also enhances power and broadens the torque curve. While the Lancer features MIVEC technology already, the Eclipse will be the first application of the variable valve control system in a V6. Look for the engine to also find its way into sporting versions of the Galant and Endeavor, similar to the Ralliart concept versions of each Mitsubishi introduced at SEMA last year.

Power will be relayed through the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission in base GS trim, or an optional four-speed automatic. Move up to the V6-powered GT and a 6-speed manual becomes the standard gearbox, while a five-speed automatic with Sportronic manual mode is optional.

Mitsubishi makes wonderful manual shifters, so the Eclipse should reap the brands expertise and deliver precise gear changes and a nicely modulated clutches, whether five- or six-speed equipped.

Its automatics are equally enjoyable, especially because the manual mode actually works like a manual, holding its gear in place even if the engine hits redline, where instead of shifting up to the next cog the engine remains at redline until you either get off the throttle or shift up a gear.

Braking should be pretty strong too, with large discs all-round, slightly larger in the rear of top-line GT models, plus ABS as standard equipment across the line, at least according to preliminary specs.

Handling will be enhanced via independent MacPherson struts with offset coil springs and a 22 mm stabilizer bar up front, plus an independent multi-link rear suspension with coil springs and a 20 mm stabilizer bar in GS trim, and 21 mm unit when opting for the GT. The ride should be a reasonably comfortable, for a sports coupe, but its relatively short 101.4-inch wheelbase, just a tad longer than an Acura RS-Xs, should make for quick, direct turn-in, while its wide front and rear track of 61.8 inches, 3.3 inches wider than the RSX, should also improve its stability during side to side transitions. Steering is via a variable power assisted rack and pinion setup with 2.64 turns lock to lock, while the Eclipse comes shod in some pretty impressive standard 225/50 R17 rubber on 17-inch alloy wheels. The same tire and wheel package comes standard on the V6-powered GT too, but with the upgraded Eclipse the option of 18-inch rims and 235/45 R18 performance tires is available.

What about standard and optional features? In base GS trim, such niceties as keyless remote entry, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and locks, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, an eight-way manually adjustable drivers seat with adjustable lumbar support, 50/50 split fold-down rear seatbacks, and a six speaker, 140-watt, AM/FM/CD audio system come standard, at least in preliminary trim.

Driver and front passenger advanced airbags with a front passenger sensing system are also standard, as are front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and front seat curtain airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, three-point seat belts for all occupants, height-adjustable front shoulder belts and tethers for a child safety seat.

Optional in GS trim will be Mitsubishis already popular Sun & Sound Package, available on other models, featuring a power glass sunroof, the sun portion of the option group, and a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system with nine speakers, a ten-inch subwoofer, equalizer, steering wheel controls, and an six-disc in-dash CD changer with MP3 compatibility. The Sun & Sound package also includes an outside temperature gauge and compass integrated into the center stack, and an electrochromatic rearview mirror.

Before I start into standard and optional GT features, I think its important to mention that those who dont want to step up to the more powerful, and granted, less environmentally friendly Eclipse GT, wont be stuck in the doghouse with regards to equipment options. After all, plenty of people will want to buy the Eclipse because of its styling and handling characteristics, but wont necessarily have use for 260-horsepower. Mitsubishi could go a step further, mind you, and offer all of its optional equipment with its four-cylinder GS. This would show environmental leadership by saying to green-minded buyers, you dont have to give up leather seats and automatic climate control if you want to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

As it stands, youll need to move up to the GT even if you want the upgraded premium sport fabric interior, not to mention the heated leather seating surfaces and auto climate control. GT customers can also get heated sideview mirrors, aluminum foot pedals and the 18-inch alloy wheel and tire package I mentioned previously, on top of all the standard and optional features available to GS buyers.

Finally, the new Eclipse looks fantastic. It reminds me of the second generation car, especially from its rear three-quarter view, which is the most iconic of all Eclipses, and in my opinion the most attractive up until this newest version. Attractive styling, being the most important attribute a car in the personal coupe segment can have, should allow the Eclipse to achieve a reasonably strong level of sales success.

But this brings up another point. At first it seems odd that a company that is literally fighting for survival would come to market with a new niche player, and deem it critical, but such is the luck of product replacement planning. The car needed to be updated, and the time to do so was slotted in long before its current financial crisis was foreseen.

It is entirely possible, however, from a speculative perspective only, that the new Eclipse could ride a wave of personal coupe enthusiasm generated as an after effect of the new Mustang. With few alternatives in the two-door field to choose from, such an occurrence could mark a homerun for Mitsubishi, a scenario that its executives, no doubt, are praying for.

While the RSX will continue to offer sporty imported competition to the Eclipse, the import coupe that could spoil Mitsubishis sales plans is the next generation Tiburon. It is expected to grow in size over the current model, and top-range power will probably come from Hyundais new 230-horsepower 3.3-liter V6. While this doesnt match the Eclipse, pricing could be more aggressive and Hyundai does have an enviable reliability record. While Fords reliability rating is nowhere near as strong as Hyundais, the Mustang will continue to be a threat in this market segment, especially considering its ultra-cheap base price point. Word on the street has GM coming back with a retro-styled Camaro, and Chrysler Group adding a sporty two-door coupe and convertible based on the 300Cs rear-drive XL architecture, possibly dubbed the HEMI Cuda or Challenger.

Still, the Eclipse will beat these to market by a long shot, and remain as one of the only import alternatives in the two-door segment. Whats more, Mitsubishi is legendary for performance cars, and the Eclipse is one of the most highly respected nameplates in the business. Add to that the best warranty in the Canadian auto industry, which lasts five years or 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, and 10 years or 100,000 miles powertrain, and choosing an Eclipse should be a no-brainer for sports coupe fans.

Preliminary