The Mitsubishi Eclipse has always been revered as a handsome two door with style and speed. This vehicle has had very little changes. The Eclipse still looks athletic, and that's what consumers have come to expect with a coupe hosting large rear rings and 18-inch wheels. Nevertheless, the car lags in terms of speed. The GT version sports a 3.7-Liter V-6, 265 hp engine that gives the driver a nice ride. Still, one will find the torque steer undesirable.
The GS Sport coupe and the GS come with an Inline Four, 162 hp engine joined to a five-speed manual tranny. The Eclipse is fast, exciting, and the driver will be more than satisfied with the vehicle thanks to the inclusion of the four wheel independent suspension and the four wheel disc brakes. Consumers demanding great fuel efficiency can opt for the four cylinder instead of the V-6. The V-6 consumes a lot of fuel.
Rumor has it that a Lancer Based Eclipse is in the offing: one that will host a 2.0-Liter turbo-engine joined to a dual-clutch auto tranny.
The Range
Bodystyles: Coupe, Convertible
Engines: 2.4L I-4, 3.8L V-6
Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic, 4-speed automatic
Models: GS, GS Sport, GT, Spyder GS, Spyder GT
What's New
The big news -- literally -- for the 2010 Eclipse is the addition of a large rear spoiler on the GT model, which also receives Xenon headlamps. A new GS Sport model offers the style of the GT but with I-4 power. All Eclipses wear revised front and rear fascias, and the GS Spyder now boasts a dual exhaust system.
Exterior
With bold fender arches, a low-slung nose, and a curvaceous booty, the Eclipse still garners attention. The Spyder's automatic soft-top goes up or down in about 19 seconds, and folds completely under a powered tonneau cover.
Interior
Eclipse's four-seat interior features a waveform IP with motorcycle-inspired gauges. A prominent center stack houses HVAC and audio controls stack as well as "fin-shut" vents. At night, light-blue LED lamps illuminate the gauges, control knobs, and switches.
Performance & Handling
Eclipse GS utilizes a 162-horsepower I-4 mated to a standard five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic, the latter transmission standard on GS Spyder. The top-level GT, which raises the bar with a 265-horsepower V-6, uses a standard six-speed manual (coupe) or five-speed auto (Spyder). A front strut/rear multilink suspension underpins all Eclipses, while GTs also get a front strut tower bar.
Safety
Every Eclipse receives dual front and front side airbags, with the coupe adding curtain bags. Spyders and GT coupe get standard traction and stability control, both of which are absent on GS coupe. Anti-lock brakes with EBD are standard.
EPA Fuel Economy
GS, GS Sport: 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway
Spyder GS: 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway
GT, Spyder GT: 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway
You'll Like
- Shark styling
- Brawny V-6
- Raspy dual exhaust
- 18-inch wheels
You Won't Like
- Tight, dated cockpit
- No six-speed auto
- Hefty curb weights
- V-6 torque steer
Sum Up
More engaging to look at than drive
If You Like This Vehicle
- Honda Accord Coupe
- Ford Mustang
- Mazda MX-5 Miata
- Nissan Altima Coupe
- Volkswagen EOS