Behold, the Mitsubishi Eclipse has been reborn! Wait, it’s a crossover?
Don’t reload your browser, and don’t adjust your eyes. They aren’t deceiving you – this is the new Mitsubishi Eclipse. “But, wait!” – you may exclaim – “Why is it a crossover?” This isn’t the company’s replacement for its Eclipse sports car of the ’90s and early 2000s. No, this is the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, and it’s a crossover, because of course it is. Crossovers are what’s hot right now, so what better body style for Mitsubishi to use for its first new model in years. This latest offering slots in (by size, at least) below the Outlander and Outlander Sport. What makes this new model tick? Watch the video above with TFL’s Nathan Adlen to find out.
New Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: Old name, new body
The new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross’ shape features a distinctive wedge shape with a steadily rising beltline from front to back. Once you get around the back, you find the tubular brake light running right across the back of the car. The puffed out rear fenders also give the car a more distinctive presence. Here, the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has Red Diamond metallic paint, a new exterior color for the brand.
Turbo four-pot is your only engine option; S-AWC 4WD system comes standard
There’s only one engine that comes in the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. It’s a 1.5-liter, direct injected, turbocharged unit. Horsepower figures stand at 152 at 5,500 RPM, while torque is 184 lbs-ft at 3,500 RPM. That torque is accessible lower down the rev range, as Mitsubishi states maximum torque is achieved at 2,000 RPM.
That power is routed through a Continuously Variable Transmission and Mitsubishi’s Super-All Wheel Control system, for the best possible handling performance. S-AWC is a system that monitors each component around the four-wheel drive system, including the Active Stability Control, ABS, and the Active Yaw Control. We’ve seen how the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross’ big brother handles Gold Mine Hill, so it will be interesting to see how this performs.
Updated interior
One thing that’s held previous Mitsubishis back from being seriously competitive in the market is a woefully outdated interior. However, the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross features an updated interior with features you’d expect in today’s crossovers. There’s a 7-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. There’s a full-color Heads-Up Display which provides all sorts of useful information. The new Eclipse Cross also has a panoramic sunroof with dual panels, the first of which can open up to 17 inches (available on the SEL Touring package).
Trim levels and pricing
The new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is available in ES, LE, SE and SEL trims. Prices start at $23,295 and rise from there. Each Eclipse Cross carries the brand’s 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, as well as a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Sales will begin in March 2018.
Let us know what you think of the Eclipse Cross in the comments below! Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more L.A. Auto Show content! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow on YouTube for the latest videos featuring your favorite new models!
