Mitsubishi Eclipse

Mitsubishi Eclipse at a glance

The Eclipse was Mitsubishi's affordable sports car for North America. It was developed with Chrysler and built at Diamond-Star Motors (later Mitsubishi Motors North America) in Normal, Illinois, which is why it shared its platform with the Plymouth Laser and the Eagle Talon. Mitsubishi says the name honours Eclipse, an unbeaten 18th-century English racehorse that won all 18 of its races; the old 1cars text gave 26 wins, which no source supports.

All four generations are four-seat 2+2 coupés with a hatchback, and the 2G, 3G and 4G also came as the Spyder convertible. Most cars were sold in the United States and Canada; Japan received the car from 1990, and Europe got limited numbers of the first two generations.

First and second generations: turbo and all-wheel drive

1G (1989–1994)

North American sales began in autumn 1989. The base car had a 1.8-litre SOHC 4G37 with 69 kW (92 hp), and the GS DOHC a 2.0 4G63 with 101 kW (135 hp). The GS Turbo and GSX used the turbocharged 4G63T with 134 to 145 kW (180–195 hp). The GSX added full-time all-wheel drive, and a European GS DOHC AWD had 112 kW (150 hp). Weights ran from 1,145 kg for the base car to 1,404 kg for the GSX. Car and Driver put the Eclipse Turbo on its 10Best list for 1989 to 1992.

2G (1994–1999)

The rounder second generation arrived for the 1995 model year. RS and GS models used Chrysler's 2.0 420A engine with 104 kW (140 hp), and the GS Spyder a 2.4 4G64 with 105 kW (141 hp). The GS-T and GSX had a revised 4G63 turbo with a Garrett T25 and 157 kW (210 hp), or 153 kW (205 hp) with the automatic. The Spyder joined in the 1996 model year. The 10th Anniversary edition with OZ Rally wheels closed the run in 1999. This is the Eclipse that became famous in the first Fast and the Furious film and in the tuning scene of the time.

Third generation: a front-wheel-drive cruiser (1999–2005)

The 3G moved to a stretched version of the platform used by the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus coupés. The turbo engine and the GSX disappeared, and with them all-wheel drive. Buyers chose a 2.4 4G64 with 110 kW (147 hp), later 115 kW (154 hp), or a 3.0 6G72 V6 with 153 kW (205 hp). The 2003 GTS raised the V6 to 157 kW (210 hp) with a variable intake. Weights grew to about 1,385 kg for a V6 coupé. In the United States the 3G scored five stars in NHTSA frontal and side tests for 2002–2003.

Fourth generation Eclipse (2005–2012) in detail

The fourth generation, the focus of the old 1cars article, was introduced in May 2005 for the 2006 model year, and the Spyder followed for 2007. It used Mitsubishi's PS platform, shared with the Galant of the time, and kept front-wheel drive.

The 2.4 coupé weighs 1,485 kg and the V6 coupé 1,575 kg; the Spyder adds about 90 kg, with 1,665 kg for the V6 convertible. After the 2009 facelift the car was 4,583 mm long. The old article quoted about 7 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h for the manual V6, a figure in line with period US tests of the GT.

The Spyder's power-folding soft top takes about 19 seconds and has a heated glass rear window. Standard kit included 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, keyless entry, air conditioning, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, and heated mirrors. Higher trims added leather and heated seats and a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system with a subwoofer; the cabin came in a choice of three colour schemes, with orange-lit, motorcycle-style instruments.

For 2011 the suspension was lowered by about half an inch (13 mm). The last Eclipse was built on 16 August 2011, and was later auctioned for charity in aid of the Japanese Red Cross after the 2011 earthquake.

Fuel use and running costs

Official US ratings for the 4G were modest for its size: the 2.4 manual returns about 10 l/100 km (23–24 mpg US) combined, and the V6 uses noticeably more, especially with the automatic. The 2G turbo cars need regular timing-belt changes, and a broken belt on the 4G63 damages the valves. Typical age-related issues across the range are worn clutches on modified cars, rust on early cars from salted regions and tired automatic gearboxes. You can estimate yearly fuel spend with the fuel cost calculator.

Recalls and safety

The 1G earned five stars in NHTSA frontal tests, and the 2G five stars frontal (1995–1997) and side (1998–1999). In March 1998 Mitsubishi recalled about 24,275 GSX cars from 1990 to 1998 for a transfer-case lock-up problem; check that this work was done on any GSX. The 4G was subject to several recalls between 2005 and 2015, so a VIN check with a Mitsubishi dealer is worthwhile. Euro NCAP never tested the Eclipse because it was not a regular European model.

Rivals: how the Eclipse compares

In the 1990s the turbo Eclipse competed with the Toyota Celica GT-Four, the Nissan 240SX and the Honda Prelude. The 4G GT fought the Ford Mustang V6, the Hyundai Tiburon and the Nissan 350Z. It was more comfortable and practical than the Nissan, but slower and less sharp, and it was front-wheel drive in a class of rear-drive coupés. Compared with the 2G GS-T, a 4G GT has 41 kW more but weighs about 270 kg more, so the gain in kW per tonne is small: about 126 against 120. To set the Eclipse against these cars side by side, use the 1cars comparison tool, or browse other coupés.