We all know that Mitsubishi is having some trouble with their American car line-up and we also know that it’s due to have some serious work done to it. It seems while part of that work is a global small car, the other part is the deletion of a few well known vehicles, at least that’s what Autoweek believes.
The aging machines, the Galant and the Eclipse, won’t be getting any new updates until 2012, as the company looks to create a new global small car. Talk about putting all your eggs in one basket. With those models gone, that would leave the Japanese automaker with only the new small car, the Outlander Sport and the i-MiEV to bring to its already small lineup.
We have all known about this small car for a while now and we can guess what it will feature upon its release. Under the hood will probably be a 1.0-liter or a 1.3-liter four-cylinder motor and for the company’s sake, we hope that America loves the small car by its release in 2012 or 2013, because an engine that big won’t sell well in a power obsessed culture.
We’re still not sold on the idea of dropping a few of the core models because what will dealers have to sell to people? The Outlander and the Lancer are good vehicles, but their sales aren’t that impressive, and the small car and the i-MiEV might not be what Americans are looking for.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse receive a minor face lift in 2009, and the diamond star brand from Japan is continuing the trend with with an even more drastic makeover in 2010. The latest version of the fourth generation Eclipse features restyled front and rear fascias. The 2010 Eclipse gets a new monochromatic with a two tone bumper insert while the GT variant features a large rear spoiler and a few new exterior hues, Carbon metallic and Solar vibrant yellow. The GS Sport model combines the aggressive exterior appearance of the GT with the fuel economy of the four cylinder GS model and Eclipses equipped with the standard cloth interior feature upgraded fabrics.
The GS version is powered by a 2.4 Liter four cylinder engine making 162 HP, while the GT variant gets a 3.8 Liter V6 that pumps out a total of 265 HP and can accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in about six seconds.
After it received a few minor adjustments for the 2009 model year, the Mitsubishi Spyder continues to improve for 2010: the four-cylinder Eclipse Spyder GS adopts GT styling cues, including a two-tone front and rear bumper fascias and dual exhaust outlets. For 2010 the GS version is priced at $27,799 and the GT at $32,599.
The Eclipse Spyder GS features a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 162 hp and 162 lbs-ft of torque and mated to a 4-Speed Sportronic gearbox. The GT version gets a 265-hp 3.8-liter V-6 engine mated to a 5-Speed Sportronic gearbox.
For 2010 the Eclipse GS will get Active Stability Control (ASC) as standard equipment, while both version got a rearview camera, stability control, Bluetooth and system with voice recognition and rearview camera system.
“That new car smell” has been long been an underlying selling point of cars. It helps describe the joy of being the first to wear in a car. But now it may also be the way you describe how you got your latest health concern. Last week, the Ecology Center released its 2nd annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and children’s car seats (www.HealthyCar.org). Of the cars tested, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider GT scored the worst (highest contaminants), and the Acura RDX scored the best (lowest).
Chemicals of primary concern include: bromine (associated with brominated flame retardants); chlorine (indicating the presence of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC and phthalates); lead; and heavy metals. Such chemicals have been linked to a wide range of health problems such as allergies, birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, and cancer.
The Ecology Center’s study breaks down results by make or car category. So, before you take a big whiff from your new automotive purchase, you may want to know what’s getting into you.
Mitsubishi announced pricing for the 2009 Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder. For the Spider pricing starts at $20,099 for the 5-Speed Manual and go up to $24,999 for the 5-Speed Sportronic version, while for the Spyder version prices start at $ 25,799 for the 5-Speed Manual and go up to $ 29,999 for the 5-Speed Sportronic version.
Options include: Leather Package $1000 (Leather Front Seating Surfaces, Center Display with Outside Temperature and Compass, Heated Front Seats, Heated Slide View Mirrors, Aluminum Pedals); GT Premium Sport Package $2000 (Leather Front Seaeting Surfaces, Auto Air Conditioning, Power Driver Seat, Aluminum Pedals, Heated Front Seats, Heated Side View Mirrors, Wind Deflector, Aluminum Scuff Plates, Machined Wheel Finish); Sport Aero Kit $1,299; Accessory Package $199;Premium Paint Charge (Sunset Pearlescent) $150; Premium Paint Charge (Solar) $150.
The 2009 Eclipse is offered in two different versions: the GS powered by a four-cylinder engine and the GT powered by a V6 engine. The GS model’s 162-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine is teamed with a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic. The GT’s 265 hp 3.8-liter V-6 produces 262 lb.-ft. of peak torque and is teamed with a 6-speed manual transmission or optional 5-speed automatic.
At the Chicago Auto Show, next to the 2009 Eclipse, Mitsubishi will also unveil the Spyder version. As the Coupe version, the 2009 Spyder comes with a restyled front and rear bumper fascia. Also the GT version features a a new dual exhaust system.
The Eclipse Spyder is offered in two trim levels. The GS model is powered by 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 162 hp. It is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission as standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission is available as an option. The Eclipse Spyder GT challenges more expensive sports cars with its 265-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 engine teamed with a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 5-speed automatic.
The GT’s 260 lb.-ft. of peak torque gives this model immediate and forceful off-the-line response. With the standard 6-speed manual transmission, the Spyder GT can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about seven seconds. Both Eclipse automatic transmissions feature Sportronic™ console shifters to allow manual gear shift control for a more engaging driving experience. The 4-cylinder and V-6 Eclipse Spyder engines both feature the Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) system to help optimize engine efficiency and power across a broad engine speed range.
Mitsubishi today officially revealed the 2009 Eclipse an "attainable exotic" with striking design, sports car handling and dazzling performance. For 2009, Mitsubishi restyled the front and rear bumper fascias and gave the Eclipse GT model a large rear spoiler.
The 2009 model-year features a new dual exhaust system yields a more powerful sound while also boosting horsepower to 265 (up from 263); standard high intensity discharge (HID) head lamps sharpen front styling and aid nighttime visibility, and standard Active Stability Control (ASC) enhances driving safety and performance.
The Eclipse is offered in two different versions: the GS powered by a four-cylinder engine and the GT powered by a V6 engine. The GS model’s 162-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine is teamed with a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic. The GT’s 265 hp 3.8-liter V-6 produces 262 lb.-ft. of peak torque and is teamed with a 6-speed manual transmission or optional 5-speed automatic.
Mitsubishi will launch at the Chicago Auto Show the 2009 Eclipse, in both coupe and convertible versions. It features revised front and rear styling.
The Eclipse GT will be powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that delivers 265 horsepower and a peak torque of 262 pound-feet. The V6 can be mated to either a standard six-speed manual gearbox or an optional Sportronic five-speed with manual shift capability. In the rear, the GT features a new dual exhaust system.
All Eclipse models feature standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution.
The new-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe combines thrilling design and performance with outstanding value to offer the sport coupe customer an attainable exotic. New for 2008, limited-production Special Edition models will be available with either the V-6 or 4-cylinder engine. The SE models combine an exclusive aerodynamic body package, a unique exterior graphic treatment and interior enhancements.
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