| More scoops than an ice-cream cone distinguish the | | | | upon. The car's turn radius, for example, has grown |
| wider wheelbase 2007 Eclipse coupe and convertible | | | | to a whopping 40 feet. A two-door sports coupe |
| Spyder from other cars on the road. After 16 years | | | | should be able to turn more succinctly. Additionally, |
| of turning drivers into fanatics, things are looking up | | | | the car with its front mounted engine and front |
| for the fourth incarnation of the Eclipse, but there is | | | | wheel drive has 62% of its weight in the very front, |
| still a lot at stake for Mitsubishi. When the Eclipse first | | | | rather than towards the center, compromising |
| debut in 1990, it became an instant hit in the rave | | | | cornering. Moreover, the 2006 Eclipse does not |
| young car buyers' demographic, helping Mitsubishi | | | | feature traction control for better handling to |
| launch additional models including the mid-sized Gallant | | | | compensate for this imbalance on wet or slippery |
| and the compact Lancer Evolution. In 1995, the car | | | | surfaces on all its models. (Traction control is only |
| was redesigned to compete more aggressively with | | | | available as an option on the more expensive GT.) |
| Honda Civic and the Acura Integra. Although the | | | | Lastly the new Eclipse has gained weight. At 3,450 |
| 2007 Eclipse has curb appeal - with shapely wheel | | | | lbs - it's not the lithe, minimalist two-door sports car |
| wells, a lavishly appointed interior and a torque rich | | | | should be. |
| engine (263 horsepower in GT and 162 horsepower in | | | | Two excellent engines are at the heart of 2007 |
| the GS), there are a lot of cars in the $19,669 - | | | | Eclipse. The GS features the 2.4 liter inline-four engine |
| $25,389 price point. Facing competition from the | | | | with 162 horsepower, and the GT (grand touring) has |
| Acura RSX, Mazda RX-8, and Toyota Scion, the 2007 | | | | a more powerful 3.8 liter V6 engine with 263 |
| Eclipse has been extensively reworked to retain its | | | | horsepower. Peak output occurs at 4,500 rpm |
| share of the youth market. | | | | propelling the GT from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds. |
| Open up. Communicate in your own way. Don't just | | | | Additionally, the new car is filled with a variety of |
| pass through the world, be a part of it. This is the | | | | safety innovations, such as front and side airbags, |
| premise for the restyled 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe | | | | ABS braking, impact absorbing cabin that detracts |
| and Spyder. The wheel arches have more flair, hinting | | | | from the more Spartan racing feel of the |
| at the improved, higher performance engine that | | | | predecessor. |
| gives 23 mpg city; 30 mpg highway. Get behind the | | | | One look of the 2007 Eclipse Coupe or Spyder |
| wheel and the car feels different from previous | | | | proves that life doesn't have to be boring. In the |
| models. The ergonomically contoured cabin is well put | | | | Spyder, the roof can be lowered in 19 seconds to |
| together, featuring a twin scooped Alfa Romeo style | | | | instantly improve your outlook. And the coupe with |
| rpm/velocity dials, and supportive seats that provide | | | | its quintessential high-performance flourish invites you |
| exceptional driving position. The cabin is sleek with | | | | to be always on the go. While the 2007 Eclipse may |
| tactile buttons. The engine is loud, which can be a | | | | not be the ultimate of the ultimate, its torque loving |
| good thing if you like aural feedback or bad if you | | | | engine, sophisticated interior, and engaging body |
| prefer quieter driving. | | | | language - all have the "look at me baby" factor |
| Overall, the new Eclipse has a very clean fit and | | | | favoring the hyper-real driving enthusiast. Drive on. |
| finish. But there are few things that could improve | | | | |