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Mitsubishi's made-in-America Eclipse packs powerful hardware
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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DALLAS, Tex. -- Slip into the glove-tight cockpit of the Eclipse GS-T, Mitsubishi's slinky turbo hatchback coupe which comes together at an Illinois assembly plant, and you'll feel like you're strapping yourself aboard a supersonic skyship.
The cockpit, laced with analog instruments and fingertip control buttons in an impressive driver-oriented display, feels tight but not confining, with a contoured bucket seat for support and a padded steering wheel at hand.
A short lever of the manual transmission stands in the center console and fits squarely to driver's right hand at the front end of an armrest.
Now fire that turbo-charger, but get a grip: This thing flies on pavement.
The 2.0-liter 4-in-line engine, outfitted with turbo-charger and inter-cooler, generates a lustful 210 hp and deftly propels Eclipse from stoplight start to 60 mph in less than seven seconds.
It's so lively you can whip almost anything that dares to challenge your track in the fast lane.
Recent tests of an Eclipse GS-T on streets of the Texas mega-metro of Dallas confirmed this coupe becomes a playful pavement rocket that pumps up your blood pressure in direct relation to the way you pump that throttle.
It also cuts a clean slice through still air, thanks to the smooth streamlined shape that's so fluid you cannot detect a single straight edge among so many arcs and curves and swept-back lines.
Even in flashy Dallas, an elite environment where exotic sports cars appear in uncommon numbers, Eclipse stands out with its strong, athletic styling.
Yet Eclipse is not exotic in price. Even with turbo power, the GS-T edition lists for less than $22,000.
Mitsubishi's buck-banging pricing strategy, as measured against Eclipse's slick exterior shape and available power, makes a competitive point. In an array of models which includes four trim levels for the coupe design and two engines, the series segments by price in a spread from $15,740 to $26,000 or so.
The four trim levels begin with the Eclipse RS entry unit with power steering and 5-speed manual transmission. Adding more equipment and larger wheels creates Eclipse GS, with the pair powered by a twin-cam 2.0-liter four rated at 140 hp. The turbo-charged variation appears in GS-T and an ultimate all-wheel-drive GSX.
Mitsubishi unleashed Eclipse in 1989 as a 1990 model. In 1995, the Japanese automaker's California-based designers pulled off a second-generation rendition which, like the original, comes out of the Illinois joint-venture production plant known as Diamond Star Motors.
Building a Japanese car in the American heartland and lacing it with significant domestic content became Mitsubishi's strategy of hedging against escalating car prices in U.S. dollars factored against the Japanese yen.
Eclipse drew attention from Mitsubishi's stylists again last year with the application of curvy new bulges up front, and this design continues with 1998 model-year designations.
Following my Dallas driving tests, several impressions surfaced about Eclipse, the most significant of which is that the coupe in any edition is fun, even thrilling.
It's a car you take for a spin simply for the pleasure of taking it for a spin.
The turbo kick from front-wheel-drive GS-T or the all-wheel-drive GSX will pin your shoulders to the seat if you let it loose.
The non-turbo plant should not be dismissed simply because its power rating amounts to a far lesser figure than the turbo. When mounted in a car weighing less than 2,800 pounds, this engine has a kick of its own and dollar for dollar offers an excellent value.
The 5-speed manual shifter -- available across the board for those like this driver who seek complete automotive control -- feels tight, notchy, easy to shift.
The 4-speed electronic automatic is sophisticated, quiet and still controllable manually, if desired.
The steering system -- speed-sensitive power to govern a precise rack and pinion mechanism -- acts quickly and provides excellent driver feedback.
The 4-wheel independent multi-link suspension lets Eclipse perform agile road tricks like taking a tight turn at speed. Still, it communicates well with a driver regarding changing pavement conditions.
The brakes include a disc at each wheel on models above base RS. An optional computer-controlled anti-lock brake system is available for versions with all discs.
The on-board safety systems of all Eclipses begins with a steel superstructure which has front and rear crumple zones and side door bracing. Also, dual front airbags are installed, with 3-point safety belts at all seats.
Eclipse GSX crowns this series with traction applied to all wheels, which creates a stick-like-glue machine that performs in maximum sport mode. To fully appreciate the GSX traction enhancement, fling it into a hard-set hairpin, if you dare.
All sorts of interior perks show up inside GSX, including soft leather seat upholstery and Mitsubishi's premium Infinity audio system with eight speakers and both cassette and CD decks.
The base Eclipse R, by contrast, still carries important conveniences, like a tilting steering column, center console with cup and coin holders, remote releases for fuel and trunk lids, and more.
Two optional packages for Eclipse R bring favored items like air conditioning, power windows and door locks, cruise control, plus exterior enhancements such as alloy wheels and a low-profile rear decklid spoiler.
Eclipse GS adds the rear spoiler and side cladding, 16-inch tires, foglamps and a split folding rear seatback.
With Eclipse GS-T, air conditioning and power controls become standard items, along with 16-inch wheels and a high rear spoiler.
For GSX, optional items for GS-T -- leather seat upholstery, remote keyless entry system, theft-deterrent system and a power up-and-over glass sunroof -- attach as part of the deluxe package.
1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE COUPE
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE COUPE Specs |
| Description: |
Compact hatchback coupe |
| Model Options: |
Compact hatchback coupe |
| Wheelbase: |
98.8 inches |
| Overall Length: |
172.4 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.0-L I4
DOHC 2.0-L I4 Turbo
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front, AWD |
| Braking: |
RS: Disc/drum
Others: 4-disc/ABS opt. |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
GSX: 23/31 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 15,740 to $ 26,000 |
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