2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Mitsubishi Motors are set to reveal the revised 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse at the Chicago Auto Show later this week. Introduced in 1989, the Eclipse has become a favorite of the ‘import cars’ and modified cars brigade, although the car has been specifically designed for left hand drive markets such as the United States and Canada and is produced at the manufacturing plant in Normal, Ill. Mitsubishi will continue to offer the 2009 Eclipse in a GS and a GT model.
For the 2009 model, Mitsubishi have restyled the Eclipse’s exterior with a new front fascia that features a blacked-out front bumper like on the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X and Nissan GT-R. The front also features standard high intensity discharge (HID) head lamps. The rear also gets a new fascia and is now fitted twin exhausts, while the GT also receives a new large rear spoiler. On the inside the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse will feature upscale, textured materials and high-back front bucket seats.
Under the hood, the Eclipse GS is powered by a MIVEC 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 162 hp, and is matched to a 5-speed manual transmission, with a 4-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic™ console shifters also available as optional. But it’s the Eclipse GT that car tuners are more interested in. For 2009 the Eclipse GT will have a slightly more powerful MIVEC 3.8-liter V6 engine that now produces 265 hp (up from 263 hp) and 262 lb-ft. of peak torque at 4,500 rpm. The 3.8-liter V6 engine in the GT is matched to a 6-speed manual transmission, with a 5-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic™ console shifters also available as optional. The V6 engine with the standard 6-speed manual transmission propels the car from zero to 60 mph in about six seconds.
Both the GS and GT models will be equipped with ventilated front brake discs, solid rear brake discs, anti-lock (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD). The Eclipse GS rides on 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 225/50R17 V-rated tires while the GT features 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 235/45R18 V-rated tires.
[Source: Mitsubishi Motors]
Tags: Chicago Auto Show, import cars, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Mitsubishi Eclipse GS, Mitsubishi Eclipse GT, new cars, sports cars