Mitsubishi Eclipse

Introduction
In 1990 Mitsubishi Motors introduced a new car to the world, the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse. It combined economy, form, function, and performance to accommodate every driver; from the 16 year old new driver looking for something to take to the track, to the older driver, who wants something sporty without footing the bill for V8 fuel consumption. With the options of AWD, and turbo charging, this car quickly became a popular car for the tuner market, and even to this day, it is not uncommon to see a few of the 1990-1999 turbo/AWD Eclipses at the drag strip or autocross course. With the 2000 model year, the Eclipse strayed a bit from its very compact form to a bit larger body and frame. Mitsubishi had done away with the 3000GT, thus taking away the larger brother of the older Eclipse.

2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse

2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse

The 3rd generation of the Eclipse was viewed as a bit of a cross of the older Eclipse, and the 3000GT. The 3rd generation Eclipse (2000-2005) was the first Eclipse not to be offered with the AWD option, or forced induction, which made it somewhat less popular to the performance car market. While this 3rd generation Eclipse offered the most luxurious ride and the most interior size, it was also heavier than prior models, and without forced induction or AWD, it had the least function for racing/performance purposes. To accommodate for the lack of the turbocharger, the 3rd generation Eclipse had an available 3.0 liter V6, which was the largest engine ever offered in an Eclipse, but at the same time, it only produced 200hp in the GT model, and 210hp in the GTS model with the variable induction system. It is, with a vision of the Eclipses of the 1990s, that the designers at Mitsubishi kept close when working on the 4th generation, 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse.

Performance
The 2006 Eclipse offers two engine choices; a 2.4 liter inline four cylinder, and a 3.8 liter V6. Both of the new engines feature the MIVEC system, which stands for Mitsubishi Innovative Variable timing and lift Electronic Control. Much like with some other vehicles in the import performance car market, such Honda/Acura's VTECH, and Toyota/Lexus VVT-I, the MIVEC system uses variable valve and valve lift timing to help bolster low-end torque, while still offering high end horsepower and maximum top speed. The 2.4 liter four cylinder comes standard in the new GS model. The 2.4 liter engine has 162 horsepower and 162 ft/lb of torque, making it one of the more powerful cars when compared to other cars in the similar price range. Also, the 2.4 liter engine in the new GS has obtained the proper emission levels to be classified as an ultra-low emissions vehicle, or ULEV. The 2.4 liter comes with the option of the either a five-speed automatic transmission, or the six-speed manual transmission.

The 2006 GT Eclipse comes standard with the new 3.8 liter V6, which is also a MIVEC system engine. It is a cast-iron V6, single overhead camshaft, with four valves per cylinder and multi-port injection. This new engine with the MIVEC system produces 260 horsepower and 260 ft/lb of torque, making it the most powerful car in the price and size class. Also, the Mitsubishi corporation was considering a gasoline-electric AWD powertrain hybrid concept. The concept was slated to have a 3.8 liter V6 with 268-hp, which drives the front wheels and the rear-wheels are driven by a 201 horsepower electric motor. Unfortunately, Mitsubishi executives state that production of this AWD hybrid is being highly unlikely.

Handling
Along with the new engines and completely redesigned appearance, the suspension and chassis are completely redesigned as well. The suspension features MacPherson struts with coil springs in the front, and Multi-Link rear suspension with coil springs. The wheelbase has been stretched, as well as a wider track, and the new Eclipse has a stamped cross member structure which helps in cornering and aerodynamics. Front and rear sway link stabilizer bars help to keep the wheels tight to the road under hard cornering and high speed driving maneuvers.

The 2006 Eclipse offers front vented disc braking systems in both the GS and GT models, and in the GT models offer a vented rear disc brake setup, with the GS coming with a drum brake system. All of the new Eclipses offer an anti-lock braking system. In addition the GS comes with aluminum 17 inch wheel with 225/50R17 all season tires, with the GT offering a premium aluminum alloy wheel with 235/45R18 performance all season tires.

Exterior
The new Eclipse has a mean muscular look to it, without losing the classy look that an executive could drive to work. The smooth, fine lines from front to rear, with the slightly lifted rear end and the lowered roof line, gives the new Eclipse the look of a Panther with its head down and paws out, prepared to pounce. The large chrome trimmed headlights and corner located fog lights allow for excellent clarity and vision during night driving. The tail lights are also chrome trimmed, with colored inserts to give it a sporty, European look. Both the GS and GT models come equipped standard with a molded rear spoiler. The large lower opening in the front fascia along with the 2 immediately below the hood front allow for maximum cooling and air intake without compromising the hard aerodynamic lines. While all the offered colors of the new Eclipse have not been released as of April of 2005, a few of the colors offered are UV Blue and Rotor-Glow Pearl.

Interior
The interior of the new 2006 Eclipse is designed, like many modern sports cars, with cockpit styling. A glance down through the four spoke steering wheel gives way to the large speedometer and tachometer, flanked on either side by the temperature gauge and fuel gauge; which is a similar style to many modern motorcycles as well; with all of the gauges being lit in an Ice Blue. High-back race inspired seats with built in head rests, which matching colors for the interior trim, are offered in three color options: Techno-Sports, which is a charcoal shade; Hi-Q, which is a mid gray, a bit lighter than the charcoal; and Avant-Garde, which is a terra cotta. Some other standard features on the GS models are power locks with keyless remote entry, air conditioning, power windows, electronic speed control, eight way adjustable seats, 50/50 split fold down rear seats, and a 140 watt AM/FM/CD player six speaker sound system. On the GS a buyer can opt for the Sun & Sound Package which includes power sunroof, center dash mounted compass/thermometer display, auto-dimming rear view mirror, and a 650 watt Rockford Fosgate Premium stereo system with steering wheel mounted controls. On the GT, the Premium Sport Package is available. This package includes a power sunroof, heater leather seats, automatic electronic climate control, heated outside mirrors, an auto-dimming mirror, aluminum race-style pedals, and the Rockford Fosgate Premium stereo system with steering wheel mounted controls.

2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse Interior

2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse Interior

Rockford Fosgate Premium stereo system
The 2006 Eclipse offers the premium sound quality of Rockford Fosgate's twenty-five years of experience, and this system is designed by RF specifically for the new Eclipse. This system features 650 watts of high fidelity and hard hitting bass, pushed through nine speakers located for optimum sound quality, and topped off by the trunk mounted bass-reflex-enclosed ten inch subwoofer. The head unit is a dash mounted 6-disc compact disc changer with MP3 capabilities, and standard AM/FM features. A built in equalizer allows the listener to adjust the treble, bass and mid-range, as well as fading and balance controls. The Eclipse's new Digital Sound Processor allows the listener complete control over the RF "punch" level. Along with the regular controls, the listener can also adjust the preprogrammed equalizer settings of Hall, Live, Stage, and Normal. Also, the Premium system allows the listener to have up to six preset equalizer levels.

Safety
The fore-mentioned ABS system is not the only thing that keeps the passengers of the new Eclipse safe. The 2006 Eclipses in either trim level come with driver and passenger airbags systems with passenger sensing system, which senses if there is enough weight in the passenger seat to necessitate opening that airbag in case of an accident. Should the driver have something small, like a briefcase or a small handbag, there is no need to open the passenger air bag, so when the drivers side airbag opens, the other does not. The airbag system also includes side impact and seat curtain airbags, which are mounted in the outer sides of the front seats. The front seat belts have a tensioning system which detects a sharp or sudden force against the seat belt and locks them in place, holding the driver or passenger away from the dash or windshield; and all five passenger positions, including the three rear seating positions include three-point seat belts, with the shoulder belt location being adjustable on the front seat belt. Also in the rear, child safety seat tethers come standard on both the GS and GT models.

Summary
In closing, the 2006 Eclipse offers sleek smooth lines on a tight sporty car, whether you are looking for something to cruise the boulevard on Friday night or something you are looking to drive your family to dinner in during the week, with state of the art safety features and cutting edge performance, this is truly the car for everyone with the inner sports-car driver screaming to get out.

Mitsubishi Eclipse History