Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Mitsubishi
Rumormill: Mitsubishi Concept-RA may hint at Eclipse for Europe
This is not just rumormill, this is rumors of hints and suggestions made by anonymous people. Just last week we wondered whether Mitsubishi's Concept-RA would lead to a new -- and proper -- Eclipse. What Car? went further, and although citing nothing more than "insiders," said that the red zinger "could be a forerunner for a new Eclipse coupe, which could go on sale in Europe."
True, that's a lot of coulds. But it wasn't so long ago that the Eclipse was an object of desire, and there can't be any doubt that Mitsubishi would love to see those days return -- especially after watching rival Nissan revive brand lust by slowly reinjecting its products with feeling.
Mitsubishi's attempt to mainstream the Eclipse robbed it of the fan base it had and yet didn't grow a new one. We suppose the questions, as always, would be money and the business case, but we for one would love to see Mitsu do that car, right there, in the picture above, as the new Eclipse. If they could get enough other people behind it, we wouldn't be surprised if they did. (Hint: that means it's time to tell them what you think. The comments box is waiting. Europeans are welcome.)
[Source: What Car?]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Philip 4:32PM (12/02/2007)
There is no reason for Mitsubishi to hang around, with a design like that Mitsubishi would be a real contender again, this car is Hot.
They should also bring us other Cars and Trucks they sell in Europe, Believe me people you'd be amazed how different they are, No Boring restyled Dakota PU, there's looks better than Toyota's.
Wake Up Mitsubishi, America Needs you.
Reply
Grain 5:01PM (12/02/2007)
Yeah, I agree. I miss the old Mitsubishi cars, Eclipse Turbo's and Twin Turbo 3000Gt's. Come back Mitsu, come back!!
JerryB 4:42PM (12/02/2007)
I'd like to see a modern variant of the old Eclipse GS-X with the turbo motor and all wheel drive.
Reply
Trent 4:45PM (12/02/2007)
exactly. Mitsu! we need a new eclipse line, starting with a base 2L I4 w/awd, and moving through an EVO with the EVO's awd and I4!
ocnj179 6:47PM (12/02/2007)
I agree a new GSX would be nice. But if Europe ends up getting it instead of US that wouldn't be so nice
Vince Burlapp 4:49PM (12/02/2007)
Do they have that much cash that they can afford different models for Europe and the US? Like Honda and Toyota?
It's not like the "big' US Eclipse is setting record sales over here anyway.
A sporty car can be small everywhere.
Does that mean we'll get a bigger, bloated Miata next time???
Reply
emdee 4:55PM (12/02/2007)
European checking in! I certainly like the general form and the engine showing is a very nice touch, certainly worth keeping in the final form.
Two things worry me about it though. They'll probably end up pricing it too high for it to become very popular, even if they don't the only affordable model will be the FWD boring version.
The other worry will be that they'll give it a big thirsty V6 when European taxation is moving towards taxing cars with high CO2 output.
What I'd like to see is something that's reasonably priced with small turbo 4 gas and diesels. And make the structure so light that those engines combined with the AWD system make it a rocket.
But yeah, the form factor is certainly very nice though, hopefully they don't mess it up in the final cut. OTOH most Mitsubishi designs of late have been very nicely done, so I guess that's not something to fear.
Reply
cowboy bob 7:40PM (12/02/2007)
A turbo 4 would probably be the answer. It would be light, small in size, powerful, and here in the US a diesel is not well recieved. (unfortunantly) The masses here are not as well informed as Europeans are as to the pluses of diesel. There is a market for a stylish small sports car here, if it is reasonably priced. Younger people would perhaps be the largest market target, and they usually have less money, so price is important. I hope they build it.
Edusan 4:59PM (12/02/2007)
The car seems, ok, but too much of a sketch to consider it. does not seem production ready.
Reply
JerryB 5:15PM (12/02/2007)
What, you don't think the six inch tall roofline and 30" wheels are practical? :-)
Dausman 5:13PM (12/02/2007)
Build it as previously described with the 2.2L diesel engine, build it soon,build it right and bring it to the U.S.
A company like Mitsubishi that built the 3000GT
can certainly build a car as shown here.....perhaps it will eclipse its' competition as none before...the car as pictured above is awesome.Hopefully there would be little or no changes in styling.
Reply
HotRodzNKustoms 5:21PM (12/02/2007)
I would take a serious look at mitsu if they gave the eclipse spyder the Evo motor and awd goodies for a $30-$35 price range. But right now there isn't a mitsu product I think I would honestly buy. Not even the new better looking evo cause it still looks cheap to me.
Reply
EquinsuOcha 5:40PM (12/02/2007)
Please, for the love of little baby jebus, build it like that (with the diesel AWD) and bring it here to the US. I'll go back to work selling them if you do. I swear.
Reply
fm 12:34AM (12/03/2007)
so you can buy it with an employee discount?
EquinsuOcha 6:29AM (12/03/2007)
Nah. I just want to drink the Kool-Aid again. It was difficult to convince shoppers that Mitsubishi made an exciting coupe compared to competitors like the 350Z, Tiburon, Mustang, and G6. The current gen Eclipse is a... nice... car, but it doesn't blow away competition.
stang fan 5:54PM (12/02/2007)
Mitsubishi never sold the old Eclipse in Europe after the first generation, I'm surprized any European car mags are interested in this model. They did get a Mitsubishi model called the FTO, that was about the size of a Lancer (not sure which sedan "donated it's chassis) and if this car was/is the size of a Lancer and shared it's drivetrain that would be great. But I can't see Mitsubishi trying to sell both the GTS/EVO and an Eclipse as they would only cannabilize sales from each other.
Reply
CMDR 1:43AM (12/03/2007)
Europe got the second generation Eclipse.
I still think they should build the concept eclipse that sported the evo engine, awd, and some other styling cues. It looked like a radical performer.
Xaijin 6:17PM (12/02/2007)
There's a lot they can do if they use the old EVO MR AWD drive train. Only thing is they dont want to make the Ralliart Lancer obsolete by making this car too powerful, so a detuned EVO motor with weaker internals would give itself a spot Mitsu's product spot.
They really dropped the ball on the current gen eclipse. One prototype actually had all that I described, because that's what everyone wants, AWD and an evo motor.
Reply
Capone 6:31PM (12/02/2007)
I still have my 98 eclipse GSX with tuned to about 350 wheel horsepower. I love my eclipse and the only reason why i dont have an evo is its a SEDAN..
Build another AWD Turbo 2D Coupe and i will buy it.
Chris W 6:54PM (12/02/2007)
The design sketch looks awesome. The hints of Audi R8 in the front end are right on!
Reply