This fifth generation of the Japanese popular compact sport car is coming this year. 2016 Mitsubishi Eclipse is expected in the fall of 2015. After 3 years, Mitsubishi decided to resurrect its popular brand and try to revive it after the slump in sales in 2012 made them discontinue it. With total of over 900,000 units sold between 1989 and 2012, Eclipse was fairly popular among Mitsubishi fans. Company hopes that, with fully redesigned body and two new engines, 2016 Mitsubishi Eclipse will manage to win its way back to the markets. The previous models were restricted to the United States, Brazil and Asia and Mitsubishi haven’t stated anything about releasing the new model to Europe.
2016 Mitsubishi Eclipse Exterior
2016 Mitsubishi Eclipse is fully redesigned model, not just a face lift. It is based on Mitsubishi’s PS platform, also known as Project America. This would indicate that the production will be based in Mitsubishi’s factory in Normal, Illinois. For starters, only a coupe version will be released, but convertible is certainly in plans, depending on the sales. On the first look, there are few similarities between 2012 and 2016 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The front end is completely revamped and with new thinner head lamps and huge air intakes provides more aggressive and muscular look. Small lip spoiler rounding the rear end completes the picture.
Interior of new Mitsubishi Eclipse 2016
On the inside, 2016 Mitsubishi Eclipse looks just like a sport car should look. Everything is focused on the driver. Two large retro looking gauges dominate the dashboard, with big infotainment touch screen on the middle console. Gear lever is chromed as well as its base plate and it offers nice contrast to the other way black interior. Sport seats look comfortable and deep enough to be capable of holding the driver in sharp high speed turns.
Engine of 2016 Mitsubishi Eclipse
2016 Mitsubishi Eclipse comes with two new MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) engines. The first option is 2.4 liter straight 4 unit, delivering 162 horse powers and 162 pound feet of torque. With 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on highway, this is the engine for people who intend to use Eclipse as every day car. The second option is for connoisseurs. 3.8 liter V6 engine with 265 horse powers and 262 pound feet of torque is reserved for people who like to spend a day at the track. This engine should provide 0-60 time of 6 seconds. Truth be told, with today gas prices and V6 gas economy of 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, they won’t spend a lot of time there, but it would be worth it.
New Eclipse Price and availability
Mitsubishi hopes to release 2016 Eclipse in fall of 2015. As for the price, Mitsubishi is going to have to thread very lightly here, especially since it was the price that killed Eclipse in 2012. Judging by what competition asks for their models, 2016 Mitsubishi Eclipse should cost more than $25,000 in order to be competitive.
More on the history of the model:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Eclipse
