What is it?
Mitsubishi is bringing back an old name for a new car. The last Eclipse was a coupe designed for the US market and was never officially sold in the UK, but the Eclipse Cross is that most fashionable of things - a mid-sized crossover. In space terms it slots between the Mitsubishi ASX and the Outlander and is further proof of Mitsubishi’s determination to become an SUV specialist; the unloved Mirage is the only conventional car left in the European line-up. Having been developed before the company was absorbed into the Nissan-Renault alliance, this could also be the last car Mitsubishi ever develops by itself.
It sits on the same basic architecture as the larger Outlander, it’s 4405mm overall length meaning it’s just fractionally longer than a Nissan Qashqai. Mitsubishi would prefer comparison with the Toyota CH-R, reckoning the Eclipse Cross’s falling roofline and connected technology will help it appeal to younger buyers.
Only one engine will be available from launch, a newly developed ‘4B40’ 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol producing 160bhp. The entry-level version will have front-drive and a six-speed manual gearbox, plusher iterations offering a CVT auto and the option of all-wheel drive. A 2.2-litre diesel version, with standard AWD and a torque converter eight-speed auto, will be launched later next year.
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Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Just spoiled NFS Underground
Sad state of affairs!
The 21st century trend: svelte and lovely coupes getting replaced by overweight, oversized, inelegant and far less enjoyable to drive SUVs. Sad state of affairs.