2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS
10/20/2005
Shahed Hussain
If there is one car that represents Mitsubishi in the US, it is the Eclipse. The Eclipse has been the sports coupe of choice for buyers looking for affordable Japanese horsepower. The 2nd generation AWD Eclipse GSX was undoubtedly the most memorable, with a combination of racy styling and a zoomy turbo engine that was unmatched in the marketplace. Fast forward past the forgettable 3rd iteration car to the new 2006 Eclipse, with styling reminiscent of the beloved 2nd generation car, in a more spacious, comfortable package.
Since the Eclipse has been overshadowed by the Lancer EVO at the top of its performance pyramid, Mitsubishi has expended considerable effort to reestablish the styling credentials of its sports coupe. The front fascia is a fresh curvaceous design, and bears no resemblance to the more angular lines of the Galant or Endeavor. The sweeping headlight cluster merges into the front fenders. Louvered gray inserts cover the fog light openings in the lower front fascia. Sporty 17-inch alloy wheels are shod with 225/50R-17 Bridgestone RE92A all-season tires. A small chromed spoiler sweeps across the curved tail to connect the flashy taillights, which resemble glowing red jet exhausts at night. The large single exhaust tip pokes through the lower rear fascia for the required tuner look. Overall, Mitsubishi has managed to retain most major design elements from the 2004 Eclipse Concept-E that foreshadowed the latest Eclipse.
Mitsubishi didn't forget about a stylish interior either. The dark gray dash with flowing curves is simultaneously attractive and sporty. A hooded central vehicle status display shows audio and climate control status, as well as compass directions. The driver faces a fat-rimmed leather covered steering wheel. Behind it are a chrome-ringed speedometer and tachometer illuminated in a cool blue, with glowing red dials. Round climate control knobs located below the audio system controls are also backlit in blue. The A/C knob color glows green when powered on. Since the Eclipse is based on the midsize Galant platform, the additional width allows a more spacious interior that feels less claustrophobic. Although the interior materials are generally of high quality, some of the hard plastics used on the upper door panels and glove box area are easily scuffed.
Nicely bolstered seats, covered in a grippy dark gray fabric, are very comfortable and have great support. Comprehensive 6-way manual seat controls, including height & lumbar adjustment, will allow most drivers to find a comfortable position. The swoopy roofline severely compromises rear headroom, so the back seats are best suited for small children, or very petite adults.
Genuine Allen bolts attach the glossy silver shift lever bezel onto the center console, which also has dual cup holders and a convenient CD storage bin. Inside the bin is an additional 12V power outlet. An auto dimming rear view mirror is a pleasant surprise. The side windows drop slightly before the frameless doors close, and then rise up to seal securely against the door gasket.
A roomy cargo area can hold several standard suitcases, so a weeklong trip for two is no hardship. Since the optional subwoofer enclosure occupies part of the cargo area, soft luggage will maximize luggage capacity. The removable hard tonneau cover (with a stylized "Eclipse" logo) flips down and hides contents when the hatch is closed. Grocery bags and other objects are secured by a handy cargo net.
Audiophiles will gravitate towards the optional Rockford Fosgate CD audio system (650-watts max.) that cranks out accurate and high volume sound. Audio controls are clearly marked and easily accessible on the upper dash. Output from the 10-inch subwoofer is especially impressive, and will attract younger buyers looking for thumping bass from a factory audio system. Although the 6-CD changer will play MP3 encoded discs, there is no auxiliary input for external MP3 players.
Mitsubishi equips the Eclipse GS with a standard 2.4L inline-4, mated to a standard 5-speed manual. A 4-speed Sportronic automatic is optional. This large displacement four is far smoother and quieter than one might expect, but it is never eager to rev to its 6500 RPM redline. Thankfully, the plentiful torque (162 lb.-ft. @ 4000 RPM) means that the engine doesn't have to be wrung out to extract reasonable acceleration. Above 5,000 RPM the 2.4L motor runs out of breath, yet the engine note remains muted all the way to redline. Transmission ratios are balanced to provide reasonable acceleration with quiet cruising. The engine has enough throttle response in 5th gear that passing maneuvers don't usually require a downshift. The transmission shifts positively, despite a slightly damped and remote feel through the shift lever. Clutch actuation is light and progressive, engaging about halfway up the somewhat long pedal travel. The handbrake lever requires minimal effort to engage.
The Eclipse GS is intended to provide sporty style and comfortable touring, with a dash of performance thrown in. To that end, it cruises quietly on the highway, with hushed wind and tire noise. The engine note remains unobtrusive, as the chassis absorbs bumps and other imperfections. The 3,274 lbs. Eclipse GS is almost 200 lbs. lighter than the GT, and has slightly better weight distribution, so it corners with mild understeer that belies its FWD nature. Since the suspension tuning is biased towards compliant ride, the Eclipse exhibits moderate body roll around tight curves. Speed-sensitive variable-assist steering aids the driver to accurately position the Eclipse around curves. Torque steer is minimal, even under hard acceleration in 1st gear. Brakes require moderate pedal effort, although the pedal feels slightly mushy at first. Standard ABS and 4-wheel disc brakes ensure confident stops on slick surfaces.
Mitsubishi has recaptured the soul of the Eclipse with its striking new design. In the affordable coupe segment, this Eclipse should be popular with a wide variety of customers, ranging from buyers in their twenties to older couples with no kids at home. Although competitors such as the Acura RSX, and Toyota Camry Solara are available in the same price range, the snazzy Eclipse trumps them all in style.
