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 September 2, 2005
Test Drive:
But times are changing: the 'outlaw' tuner culture is going mainstream, the 240SX, MX-6, Prelude and Celica are gone, and Mitsubishi is focusing on making profits, not niche cars (with the exception of the Evo IX).
The 2006 Eclipse's styling is a derivative of Mitsubishi's Concept-E show car first displayed at the Detroit auto shown in January, 2004. That car had more aggressive cab-forward styling, and a V6 engine in front and an electric motor at the rear (see Laurance Yap's First-Drive report).
By the way, a convertible Eclipse Spyder model will be coming in 2007, but there are no plans for a turbo or all-wheel-drive.
Two distinct models
As before, the 2006 Eclipse is offered with four and six cylinder engines. In the GS, the standard 2.4 litre 4 cylinder powerplant now has 162 horsepower, up from 147. In the GT, the new 3.8 litre V6 has 263 horsepower, a big boost from the previous 3.0 litre V6 with 200 horsepower. As well, torque has been bumped up from 205 foot pounds to 260.
Four-cylinder Eclipse GS models have a standard five-speed manual or optional 4-speed Sportronic automatic transmission ($1,200), while six-cylinder Eclipse GT models offer a new 6-speed manual transmission or optional 5-speed automatic with Sportronic manual mode ($1,200).
Starting at $25,498, the GS includes a 140-watt Mitsubishi CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers, 17-inch tires and five-spoke alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, rear spoiler, air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, keyless entry, 6-way manually adjustable driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support, manual 4-way adjustable passenger seat, heated front seats, and 50/50 split fold-down rear seatbacks.
An optional "Sun & Sound Package" ($3,000) includes a one-touch power sunroof, 650 watt Rockford Fosgate 6-CD/MP3 audio system with 9 speakers and a 10-inch trunk-mounted subwoofer, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and a centre LCD display for time, audio, temperature and compass.
Options on the GT include a 5-speed automatic Sportronic transmission ($1,200), Sunset Pearlescent paint ($160); alloy fuel door ($200); stainless steel exhaust finisher ($251); and a "Premium Sport Package" for $4,200. This extensive package includes leather-suede front seats, automatic climate control, 650 watt Rockford Fosgate 6-CD/MP3 stereo with 9 speakers and 10-inch trunk-mounted subwoofer, 8-way power drivers seat with lumbar support, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, aluminum pedals, one-touch power sunroof with vent feature P235/45R-18 inch all-season tires and 18-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels.
My Eclipse GT equipped with all these options came to $37,809 plus Freight, A/C tax and local taxes. Last year's Eclipse GT with the Premium Package was priced at $34,448, so there has been a price jump.
Interior impressions
The 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse is bigger than the 2005 model: 74 mm longer, 48 mm taller, 84 mm wider, with a wheelbase that is 15 mm longer. Though it's larger, it couldn't be described as roomy - just roomier. The front seats offer good headroom and legroom, though the optional sunroof reduces headroom by an inch.
The optional leather interior that's part of the Premium Package is exceptionally attractive. The striking two-tone copper and white front seats include real suede, and they also include large side and shoulder bolsters for support when cornering.
The instrument panel has coordinated colours, black, copper, and grey with leather-wrapped steering wheel and a shift knob with orange stitching. The rear seats, however, are a monotone black colour.
The Eclipse is probably the only sporty coupe to offer six standard airbags: two front, two side, and two curtain airbags.
With its pressurized gas springs, the rear hatch is easy to open, but the cargo area doesn't have a flat floor because of a raised transverse cross member. As well, the big subwoofer on the left side takes up a quite a bit of space. Still, I was able to get my bicycle inside the cargo area and close the hatch with the split 50/50 rear seatbacks folded down. The hatch can be unlocked with the remote key fob.
Driving impressions
With its transversely mounted 3.8-litre, 60-degree, SOHC, 24-valve V6 engine, the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT has a front/rear weight distribution of 62/38. Despite the front weight bias, handling at speed is quite neutral, the body feels tight, and the suspension is firm yet surprisingly supple over bumps.
With 263 horsepower and 260 ft-lbs of torque going through the front wheels, I did experience torque-steer under hard acceleration. However, traction control is standard, and this will help in winter weather conditions. Good winter tires would be a big asset.
Fuel consumption figures of City: 13.3 L/100 km (21 mpg) and Hwy: 8.1 L/100 km (35 mpg) with the V6 engine have increased by about 10% since last year - but that's expected with such a large increase in horsepower.
I found the new 6-speed manual transmission easy to shift, and clutch pedal effort was low. The Eclipse's power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering provided a good balance of boost and steering feel, but I was disappointed in the wide turning circle of 12.2 metres (40.0 ft.).
Standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS provide excellent stopping power for this 1608 kg (3545 lb) coupe.
The driver's visibility is good to the front and sides, but the right-rear corner has a thick C-pillar which obstructs vision when lane-changing. However, the car's standard rear wiper and defroster are very useful for clearing the rear window of condensation, heavy rain, accumulated dirt, ice, and snow.
Competitors
With its big V6, the Eclipse 'eclipses' most other Japanese and German sporty coupes in horsepower and torque - but at close to $40,000 fully equipped, it's getting a bit pricey. Only the 300 horsepower Mustang GT V8 offers more power in the two-door sporty coupe class.
Verdict
Bold and distinctive, both inside and out, the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT offers impressive but refined performance that makes it an easy sporty coupe to live with on a daily basis.
The Eclipse is built in Normal, Illinois.
Technical Data: 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
Greg Wilson is a Vancouver-based automotive journalist and editor of CanadianDriver
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