Mitsubishi Eclipse has been mildly re-styled for 2003. The front bumper, front and rear light clusters, and alloy wheels on the GS, GT, and GTS are new.Some have described the exterior design as sleek, slippery, cutting edge. Mitsubishi calls it "geo-mechanical," a term used for the original SST design concept shown at the 1998 Detroit auto show. To us it looks sort of retro-contemporary. No matter what you call it, the Eclipse gets noticed.
Fully arched wheel wells are filled with alloy wheels and performance tires. This arch theme is carried through, from the A-pillar to the C-pillar. Three strakes in each door begin at the front bumper where they resemble the brake cooling vents of a race car. A round fuel filler door adds to the racy theme; an aluminum alloy lid for it is available as a dealer-installed accessory. The lever-style door handles are aerodynamic, but harder to grab.
With its top up, the Spyder looks hunkered down, rounded and smoothly contoured. With the top down, it looks rakish yet handsomely finished, thanks to black rubber folding boot cover that conceals the retracted top. When the sun shines and the summer breezes blow, you need only release two ratchet latches and press a button for 15 seconds to deliver all the fresh air and open sky you'll ever need.