...and let forth the masses that bitch whenever Mitsu does anything to the Eclipse that there's no turbo motor and no AWD. This has been going on since 1999.

That may not be its best color, i.e. school bus yellow. Jet black might look sharper.

@1300ccsoffury: Well maybe Mitsu should listen to the masses because the masses haven't been buying the eclipse since they neutered it. Tell me it wouldn't sell better if it was basically a lancer ralliart coupe.

While that looks a LOT like the 2g DSM, the NA V6 still puts out more horsepower and torque than the GT-S or the GSX (stock, of course) and gets better gas mileage. Plus the back deck doesn't rattle and shake like a trunk full of epileptic midgets on crack having an orgy. And believe me, that is the LAST time I pick up hitch-hikers outside the circus.

looks like they finally fixed the roof. used to have cutlines at the tops of the A and C pillars. made it look like a hardtop convertible...

regardless of being a Turbo 4, or a 6 pot. It still needs AWD!!!

Damn-still lookin' good (just not quite fast enough).

@AndyDuncan: The masses didn't exactly flock to the old AWD Eclipse because it was pricey. When the 2000 model came out Mitsu quoted that only 7% of total Eclipse sales were the AWD GSX model. I'm guessing that's why they were such a rarity on the road.

I think it looks good, but I had a chance to drive a V6 manual GT and it was a harrowing experience. Open differential in front makes for some incredible and unpredictable torque steer. Very unsatisfying to drive.

There is a business sense though in making a FWD v6 'sports' car, the 3rd gen sold very well to the kind of people who want a sporty car without any actual driving dynamics.

You can't really shovel the EVO drivetrain into an Eclipse, you'd just be selling identical products from two lines that would eat each other's sales. The EVO always was, and always has been the successor to the AWD turbo DSM's, even if they aren't coupes.

Ok, it doesn't need a turbo or AWD (Although both would be nice...), but it does need to shed a lot of the weight sitting atop the overworked front wheels. I've driven the present Eclipse, and it handles about as well as my mothers '86 Cougar.

And what's with that wing???

You know, that's not half bad looking. Unfortunately I doubt it's gotten any lighter. I remember my jaw hitting the floor when they introduced this version and I read in R&T how much it weighed.

@bruxell: Remember the demographic theyre aiming at with this car. The wing obviously makes it go faster.....so does the sound system. Teenage logic FTW

The new Mitsu Eclipse...answering the prayers of 24 year old administrative assistants nationwide.

Question: Does the 350z still get respect? I haven't seen a blog post or magazine article on one in ages...

I really, really like the paint on the car and only wish they bring the GSX. If they do, consider me a buyer.

@FedExin: i read somewhere (winding road, i think) that theyre unveiling a version later this year that has the G37's bigger V6, and maybe new styling. until then, there's not much reason to give much coverage to a car that hasn't had too many major updates since 2003...

The recent designs of the Eclipse are nice, but im still bored.

The GT does need a twin turbo setup.

@smokyburnout:
Isnt the new Z popping up sometime this year? Im aware that these cars arent related in the least bit. I thinl of the Eclipse as more of a Altima coupe, Accord Coupe, Solara competitor.

wow the front looks like a poor man's GT-R
well the Eclipse needed a boost in the right direction
now about the AWD....

That does look a lot better compared to what you see on the road every once in awhile.

A little 'dolf action did it some good.

I don't think it needs a wing, but I love the look of this car from every angle. The nose refresh brings it closer to the mitsu family fold - i.e. bigmouths.

How hard would it be to cannibalize an Endeavor AWD tranny and modify it to fit on this? Throw on a RippMods stage two supercharger kit, and you've got 400+ hp to all four wheels.

@1300ccsoffury: Well, you still didn't answer the question. It would sell better, and if Mitsu can sell a ralliart in the mid $20s, they can sell one with two fewer doors for around the same price. Besides, I think we'd probably both agree that the market has changed somewhat in the past 8 years. The old AWD eclipse didn't sell as well as it should have because people didn't take it seriously. The WRX/STI changed that. It convinced Mitsu to bring the EVO over (thank god), and we're living in a different time. An AWD turbo 4-cyl eclipse would sell much better than the current sorority-mobile, and given the "education" of the american market, it would probably sell better than the original gsr.

no turbo, no care

the eclipse sucks and has since 2000

A pig compared to the EVO or even a regular Lancer.

@1300ccsoffury: I think they were a rarity on the road because lots of young hoons drove them off the road into a ditch/tree.

I think I could do without the turbo's or the AWD. I just wish it was RWD. This is slightly off topic but it seems like the only real luxury feature being offered on upscale cars is RWD.

@AndyDuncan: They arleady have a "An AWD turbo 4-cyl eclipse", the Lancer EVO (and soon Ralliart). They can't really make two of the same car.

As a former Eagle Talon TSi AWD owner, I fully acknowledge that the EVO is the successor to my car, and the Eclipse is now a different car altogether.

@yellofury: Yep, expect the next several Jap-o-sportscars to have bits nicked from the gt-r...

it's better, but it still has the horrendous slope up-drop down-slope back up styling (is there a name for that?) that jars the eyes. the second generation is still by far the best looking eclipse.

@FightingChance: Agreed. This new Eclipse shares only its name with the old DSMs. It's lipstick on a crippled (FWD), overweight pig.

I think the color is fitting, since Mitsubishi needs to take this Old Yeller out back and end its misery. Give us a real coupe with AWD and a turbo-4.

They can make te car as pretty or as fast as they want. I will never buy another Mitsubishi as long as i live...(unless i get a REALLY good deal for an Evo X) Horrible build quality, and NVH are way past unacceptable.

Looks good, goes well, handles like a charging bull.

Take some of that weight off and give us AWD and we'll be set.

The 2009 Mitsu Eclipse... now pre-riced for your convenience.

Also, I don't think the interior is grey enough.

Hey, at least the Lancer Ralliart actually has AWD now...

Have Mitsubishi managed to keep the curb weight under 2 tons or is there a chance someone cross-shopping a Lexus coupe might get confused and drive home in the Eclipse?

Good car. Good looking car. Needs RWD/AWD for me to ever consider it.

@yellofury: Exactly what I was thinking, Mitsu completely cribbed the football-mouthguard look of the GT-R.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

@FightingChance: well, now that the Evo is becoming a more polished, comfortable car, they could make an Evo Eclipse a more bare-bones, hardcore machine and have them not compete directly. just drop in the Evo drivetrain (minus the fancy flappy-paddle gearbox), lose the premium stereo and a crapload of weight, and you've got a completely different animal.

All of this carping about AWD in an Eclipse. How many Eclipse(s) or Lasers, or Talons were equipped with AWD at the height of their popularity? What, 10%, 15%? The reason why the Lancer Evo has Turbo and AWD is because it's made in one location, and exported to the rest of the world. The Eclipse is a North American Vehicle only, and not sold outside this continent. Mitsubishi uses only one platform, two engines, an Automatic or Stick based on the engine, and that's it. They would have to price it a lot more to add in a Turbo, re-engineer the platform for AWD (or adopt the newer platform from the Sebring or Avenger), and add in a stouter transmission. This would probably price the Eclipse AWD Turbo at or above the EVO.

It looks like an upscale Tiburon.

@UDMAN:
At least a RWD would do right? 3274lbs even with a 4 banger is pretty hard to swallow in a FWD, compare that with a similar I4 tiburon at 2898lbs and scion tc at 2932lbs (which already aren't considered very sporty in the first place). The weight can be more easily forgiven if there was RWD or AWD, either that or shed a few pounds.

No FWD car should be over 3000lbs.

I wanted AWD for my 2g Turbo I went out and got the parts and have done the swap myself. Now I can put the 425bhp to the ground through all 4 wheels. It was becoming a safety issue especially in the wet with the FWD spinning through 2nd gear when trying to get out of the way.

I don't want a hopped up 4 door Lancer Mitsubishi. I want a 2 door low slung lightweight coupe with a turbo 4 and AWD. Now build it!

The 2HP clinches it for me. All that extra pace is making me salivate.

it's a nice shape... but those headlights and the solid spoiler ruin it for me.

Yawn

Doesnt this car weigh a TON? (meaning...figuratively, not literally.)

Get the weight on down to 2900 and 300 hp and it would rock (with rwd).