Too often, when we get a new model from a struggling company — and Mitsubishi is struggling right now — there are some moderately obvious signs of make-do and cost-cutting. An engine that might be better suited in a pickup truck, for instance. An absence of the latest technology, such as side air bags or a modern transmission.
In its final year, 2004, the Australia-built Mitsubishi Diamante, the company’s flagship sedan, was caught in a similar situation. The most powerful engine offered had just 210 horsepower. Side air bags weren’t available at any price. Mitsubishi couldn’t afford to update the Diamante, so it let a nice car die.
It was with some trepidation that I approached the all-new 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse, a cash-cow staple in the company lineup since it appeared in January 1989 as a 1990 model.
The Eclipse was last redesigned for 2000, and the styling was kind of controversial: Three big scoops ran the length of each door, and that theme continued around the grille. Though the design eventually grew on me, I always thought the 1999 model was prettier than the 2000.
Someone at Mitsubishi — probably laid off by now — agreed with me. The 2006 model has more in common with the 1999 Eclipse than the 2005, and it’s a downright handsome car. But what would it be like inside, and under the hood?
My concerns were unfounded. There is absolutely no evidence of compromise in the 2006 Eclipse — it’s as fully realized as if one of the better-heeled Japanese car companies designed and built it. It looks right, feels right, drives right. The Eclipse is not enough to pull Mitsubishi from the mire, but it won’t hurt.
The base Eclipse GS comes with a 2.4-liter, 162-horsepower four-cylinder engine. Transmission is a five-speed manual, or a four-speed automatic. The test car was the GT model, with a 3.8-liter, 263-horsepower V-6 and, in the tester, a six-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic is optional.
The Eclipse’s swoopy hatchback profile suggests that it’s essentially a two-person car, and that suggestion is correct. There’s a back seat, in theory, but I didn’t try to sit there. With the driver’s seat properly placed for my 6-foot frame, I measured less than 6 inches of space between the back of my seat, and the front edge of the rear seat. No one whose age is in the double digits would want to sit back there, but the rear seat does offer some storage room, and likely a small discount on insurance, as it technically isn’t a two-seat sports car.
Up front, though, plenty of room. I have no complaints about the instruments and controls, none of which appear to have been adapted from other Mitsubishi models to save money. They might be, but since they don’t appear to be, then it isn’t an issue.
On the road, the 3.8-liter V-6, a fairly conventional design, feels every bit of its rated 263 horsepower, especially with that slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission. The ride is quite good, even on rough pavement. Handling is confidence-inspiring, especially with the GT’s optional 18-inch tires and wheels.
About the only downside to the driving experience was in the rain, when — starting from a dead stop and accelerating quickly — you could feel a little tire spin and some “torque steer,” the tendency for a front-wheel-drive car to try and steer slightly to the left or right under acceleration. It’s typical with FWD vehicles, and it isn’t a problem once you grow accustomed to it. The Eclipse GT has traction control, and it kicks in before the torque steer becomes annoying.
The Eclipse starts at $19,399 for the GS four-cylinder with five-speed manual transmission, and ends at $24,599 for the automatic GT. Our GT with the manual transmission started at $23,699 but had a $3,270 “premium sport package” that added the 18-inch wheels instead of 17-inchers, leather upholstery, a power sunroof, heated seats, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate stereo with a six-disc CD changer, nine speakers and a 10-inch, cargo-space-sucking woofer in the rear. With a $270 accessory package and $595 in shipping, the total was $27,834.
That’s getting into the Nissan 350ZX territory; that car starts at $27,380 with shipping, and although it doesn’t have as much equipment as our test Eclipse, it has 24 more horsepower and a 35-year reputation for semi-elite performance. I hope Mitsubishi can sell every Eclipse it makes for list price, but I think that after a while, it may have to discount the GT a bit to compete. Mazda’s rotary-powered RX-8 starts at $25,935, and the 2006 Ford Mustang GT starts at $25,815. That the new Eclipse is a genuine competitor for this trio is commendable, and a long way from where the Eclipse was a year ago, but the GT might be a bit overpriced.
On the GS side, though, you can get a nice Eclipse for about $20,000 — standard equipment includes side and side-curtain air bags, a 140-watt stereo, 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning and antilock brakes. That’s competitive.
Is Mitsubishi bouncing back? The 2006 Eclipse suggests it is indeed.
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Sentinel Automotive Editor Steven Cole Smithcan be reached at scsmith@orlandosentinel.com, or 407-420-5699.