What Is It?
What's Special About It?
According to Rich Gilligan, the new president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America, "Mitsubishi is for people that love to drive, not people that have to drive."
If that's true, the Eclipse, which is the company's most recognized nameplate, has to be a car people love to drive. This new fourth generation of the Eclipse sport coupe just might have the mojo.
Its new look is familiar if you remember Mitsubishi's Eclipse Concept-E from last year's Detroit auto show. The overall shape of the car was drawn at Mitsu's California design studio, and is reminiscent of the second-generation Eclipse, which is still a favorite of the sport compact tuner crowd.
Two models will be offered when the Eclipse hits the street this summer (a convertible will come in early 2006), a four-cylinder-powered GS and the more muscular GT. Although Gilligan calls the 165-hp four-cylinder "energetic," people who love to drive will want the 260-hp, 3.8-liter V6 that comes in the GT. It redlines at 6,500 rpm, features variable valve timing and comes with a five-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. Sorry, tuners, there's no turbo or all-wheel-drive option. Every 2006 Eclipse powers its front wheels.
The GT also gets standard 17-inch wheels, available seven-spoke 18-inch rollers and a very impressively finished interior. High-back sport seats with aggressive bolsters and integrated headrests, a four-spoke steering wheel and motorcycle-inspired gauges backlit in Ice Blue are all standard.
Three interior color schemes are available: charcoal, medium gray and a unique terra cotta theme, which even adds soft leather and suede to the seats. A Rockford Fosgate premium audio system with nine speakers and a subwoofer is optional, and the rear seat is for gym bags or tiny children only.
The suspension and brakes are largely carryover. MacPherson struts remain up front and a multilink design suspends the rear. Brakes are four-wheel discs on the GT and ABS is standard.
What's Edmunds' Take?
We like the look, but we're worried about putting 260 hp through the front wheels. It could spell massive torque steer. We also like the interior, which looks exceptionally rich for the poor-boy price. Mitsubishi needs a winner. Maybe the new Eclipse is it. — Scott Oldham
What's Special About It?
According to Rich Gilligan, the new president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America, "Mitsubishi is for people that love to drive, not people that have to drive."
If that's true, the Eclipse, which is the company's most recognized nameplate, has to be a car people love to drive. This new fourth generation of the Eclipse sport coupe just might have the mojo.
Its new look is familiar if you remember Mitsubishi's Eclipse Concept-E from last year's Detroit auto show. The overall shape of the car was drawn at Mitsu's California design studio, and is reminiscent of the second-generation Eclipse, which is still a favorite of the sport compact tuner crowd.
Two models will be offered when the Eclipse hits the street this summer (a convertible will come in early 2006), a four-cylinder-powered GS and the more muscular GT. Although Gilligan calls the 165-hp four-cylinder "energetic," people who love to drive will want the 260-hp, 3.8-liter V6 that comes in the GT. It redlines at 6,500 rpm, features variable valve timing and comes with a five-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. Sorry, tuners, there's no turbo or all-wheel-drive option. Every 2006 Eclipse powers its front wheels.
The GT also gets standard 17-inch wheels, available seven-spoke 18-inch rollers and a very impressively finished interior. High-back sport seats with aggressive bolsters and integrated headrests, a four-spoke steering wheel and motorcycle-inspired gauges backlit in Ice Blue are all standard.
Three interior color schemes are available: charcoal, medium gray and a unique terra cotta theme, which even adds soft leather and suede to the seats. A Rockford Fosgate premium audio system with nine speakers and a subwoofer is optional, and the rear seat is for gym bags or tiny children only.
The suspension and brakes are largely carryover. MacPherson struts remain up front and a multilink design suspends the rear. Brakes are four-wheel discs on the GT and ABS is standard.
What's Edmunds' Take?
We like the look, but we're worried about putting 260 hp through the front wheels. It could spell massive torque steer. We also like the interior, which looks exceptionally rich for the poor-boy price. Mitsubishi needs a winner. Maybe the new Eclipse is it. — Scott Oldham
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