- The last Mitsubishi Eclipse, a vehicle credited with pushing Mitsubishi into America's automotive conscience more than two decades ago, will cross the auction block on Saturday.
- The 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe SE is the last one of its kind to roll off the assembly line at the company's factory in Normal, Illinois.
- The Eclipse, along with the Mitsubishi Endeavor and Galant, was killed as part of the automaker's Jump 2013 plan that focuses on small, fuel-efficient vehicles in a major product shake-up.
CYPRESS, California — The last Mitsubishi Eclipse, a vehicle credited with pushing Mitsubishi into America's automotive conscience more than two decades ago, will cross the auction block on Saturday.
The final Eclipse, which was built in August, is being auctioned to benefit the earthquake and tsunami relief fund of Japan Red Cross. The car will go to the highest bidder at the Mecum Auctions annual St. Charles Auction in St. Charles, Illinois. The auction house has not said what it expects the car to fetch.
The Eclipse, along with the Mitsubishi Endeavor and Galant, was killed as part of the automaker's Jump 2013 plan that focuses on small, fuel-efficient vehicles in a major product shake-up. Production of the Eclipse ended rapidly. In January, Mitsubishi said it expected the three vehicles to be gone from U.S. showrooms by 2013.
Mitsubishi's product portfolio is being revamped to include up to six new electric, hybrid/electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2015.
The 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse is the last one of its kind to roll off the assembly line at the company's factory in Normal, Illinois. The original Eclipse debuted in the 1990 model year, the first fruit of a joint venture formed in 1985 between Mitsubishi and Chrysler known as Diamond Star Motors.
The final Eclipse is powered by a 265-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine. Its unique Kalapana Black paint job was chosen by Mitsubishi followers on Facebook. Other details include leather interior trim, 18-inch Dark Argent alloy wheels, a Rockford-Fosgate premium audio system with nine speakers and SE exterior side graphics.
Inside Line says: The end of an era for followers of the Mitsubishi Eclipse.
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meest00gt says:
09:58 PM, 12/28/2011
It is sad to see the eclipse go. I own a very early 3rd Generation eclipse, considering it was manufactured in late 1999. The V6 route has always and likely forever will be criticized, especially by those that have driven one of the first two generations.
However, having driven the two newest generations, the car really isn't as bad as so many claim. They're comfortable and pretty nice looking once you switch up the suspension and drop them. While its a shame they lost their tuning roots, the V6 models have plenty of low end grunt for daily driving which is what most people do anyway. If mitsu could have kept the weight down, it would have been a different story considering it is by far the biggest enemy.
spyderbite says:
06:52 PM, 12/26/2011
As a previous owner of 2 Mirages-l am sad, but not surprised to see the Eclipse go. Both of my Mirages were totally trouble free-and l would buy another one tomorrow if l could. I had a 98 Spyder that had a bit too many modifications before l bought it, so had a few glitches-but overall-no major problems with that either. I stand by the brand overall-and am trading in my mediocre Toyota tomorrow on a 2012 Eclipse if l can. Sad-and the dealerships do not want to admit the Eclipse is going away>>>>>
engineer_mba says:
08:04 AM, 09/21/2011
I am a Honda Prelude enthusiast/owner and I also love the Mitsubishi Eclipse. The Eclipse has always been a great sports coupe at an affordable price. It has always been available fully loaded (V6, leather, sunroof, premium audio, etc.) for $30,000 or less, which is more than reasonable for a V6 sports coupe. I know that the V6 Eclipse has received some criticism over the years for some torque steer and some handling characteristics associated with powerful front wheel drive cars. I also know that the Quaife Company manufactures a HELICAL LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL for the Eclipse that is designed to eliminate torque steer, unnecessary wheel spin, and understeer. I believe that this helical LSD would remedy the Eclipse's handling shortcomings and make it more competitive with newer competitors. With that said, I am sad to see the Eclipse go. I still believe that it is a great car at a reasonable price and an even better car when equipped with the Helical LSD.
Rich
lolxd says:
09:40 AM, 09/18/2011
The current Eclipse is undesirable.
The FT-86 Toyota is a LOT more desirable for a lot less money. Sad to see Mitsubishi's not doing well in fact,
most Japanese car manufacturers are slowly going to the history books judging by what cars they've recently revealed and how the Koreans are slowly taking over.
sjw91 says:
05:12 PM, 09/16/2011
I had a 1992 Eclipse GS and loved it. Reliable, fun to drive, and fairly practical. Traded it on a 1995 Mustang GT that turned out to be the biggest piece of crap ever built. Should have kept the Eclipse. But it seems like they went downhill after that first generation...
j84ustin says:
11:51 AM, 09/16/2011
Isn't this a 2011 and not a 2012?
kkear3 says:
09:12 AM, 09/16/2011
Looks like JDM sports coupes are no more. Korea cornered what little is left from the rebirth of the American pony cars. I wish Mitsubishi well in answering the call of the future as I owned 2 3000GT's and would certainly hate to see Mitsubishi Motor Sales go the way of Plymouth, Pontiac, Hummer, Saturn, Mercury, Eagle, Geo, Isuzu, and most likely Saab.
joemt says:
08:34 AM, 09/16/2011
Maybe the knuckleheads at Cars.com will place a high bid for this as it was a 2009 & 2010 'Best Bet Sports Car' (along with the equally dubious Volvo C70) after dropping much more competent (if not outstanding) choices such as the R8, S4, Mustang, G37*, MX-5 (Miata), Boxster, Cayman, 911 and WRX STi* over the previous years.
As for myself, I bid 2 cents for this POS.
* not listed in 2010
lions208487 says:
07:46 AM, 09/16/2011
If the Eclipse had found it's roots to when it was a tuner's dream in the 90's the car would have sold in mass numbers. Instead Mits continued to take short cuts and build an inferior automobile.
It is still a mistake to kill off your number one volume seller, and they will find themselves in Saab's shoes soon enough because of it.
If Mits wants to get in the game, they should explore how the Lancer could benifit from combustion hydrogen vehicles, such as the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen experiment, or the BMW Hydrogen 7 a few years ago.
danyall2010 says:
07:44 AM, 09/16/2011
Good riddance Eclipse, I hardly knew ye!!!!!