Teresa’s View

Sat., Nov. 5, 2005

Teresa McCallion Marketing Department Correspondent

Remember when the Mitsubishi Eclipse was a hot car? Sure it was a bit uncivilized, but dang it looked good. I especially liked the turbocharged version, although few buyers chose that option. Then the engineers and designers futzed with it, making it more refined, but less sexy. Regardless, the Eclipse continued to be a popular choice for those who sought a sporty, practical car as opposed to a sports car.

Well, this year the Eclipse has been completely revamped and this time the mix is just right. The sporty coupe is hotter than ever.

Gone are those ghastly rippled doors and garish air dams. The basic wedge shape remains, finished by a rounded tail that gets a pert integrated spoiler. The new Eclipse is longer, taller and wider than its predecessor, providing improved headroom and hip room up front. That said, the interior remains cramped for all but the smallest of physiques. The Eclipse is still a “Nancy Reagan size four.”

The interior design is open to interpretation. Soft-touch materials are meant to emulate modern furniture. The effect is certainly hip and contemporary.

For 2006, Mitsubishi limits the Eclipse to two trims: the GS and GT. The GS is powered by a tweaked 162-horsepower 2.4-liter engine and includes either a five-speed manual or four-speed Sportronic automatic transmission. The super-sporty GT gets a big power boost, with its 3.8-liter V-6 that produces 263 horsepower. It’s offered with a six-speed manual or a five-speed Sportronic automatic tranny.

My pet peeve? I had a difficult time seeing out of the rear windows. It was particularly problematic backing up from a parking space — a dangerous maneuver without being blinded by body panels. Hey, I’m a girl. I understand that certain sacrifices must be made for fashion, but even I draw the line when design becomes hazardous.

What Is It?: The Eclipse is a two-door, four-passenger sporty coupe offered in two trims. The GS is priced just under $20K, while the GT clocks in at $24K.

Gadget Rating: 6.8 out of 10. Standard features include air conditioning, cruise control and power windows, mirrors and door locks. The audio system, including CD and MP3 playback, is especially fine, but if you want to rock your socks get the optional high fidelity/high output Rockford Fosgate audio system featuring a 650-watt amp and nine speakers.

The Back Seat: Due to styling considerations, rear passenger space has shrunk — meaning less room for your purse.

Safety: The subcompact comes with a full array of air bags including dual-stage front and seat-mounted side protection. Daytime running lamps and anti-lock brakes are standard.

Recommended Fuel: The GS takes regular gasoline, but the GT needs premium.

Trivia: Eclipse was introduced in the 1990 model year.

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