Mitsubishi has had some success in the recent years. The Outlander PHEV SUV is one of those cars which sales have leaped significantly in the United Kingdom in the last few years. Despite that, Mitsubishi is still behind some mainstream rivals and as it seems it is hard for it to beat them finally. This is why Mitsubishi decided to switch focus and produce a crossover which will go against Seat Ateca and Nissan Qashqai. The vehicle we are talking about will probably be called Eclipse, but we will have to wait for about a year for it to hit the market. Let’s look at what to expect.
Exterior
Even though the new 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse is heavily camouflaged, it looks promising when it comes to the exterior design. According to Mitsubishi, the styling of the new Eclipse is based on the XR concept that was introduced back at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. When you take a closer look and try to picture what lies under all these covers, you would see the identical sloping roofline and chiseled front end.
2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Interior
The exterior is not the only thing covered, though. The cabin of the new Mitsubishi Eclipse 2018 has also been camouflaged, but there is no doubt that the Japanese manufacturer put its heart and soul into creating a comfortable and stylish interior as well. We expect to see the new beautiful dashboard with the brand-new infotainment system and the new BMW-style tablet set-up. This set-up is actually seen on the new Eclipse test model, and it features impressive graphics, responsive touchscreen, and the latest set of apps. Also, the new version boasts a lot of space and even the adults will feel comfortable sitting at the back.
Engine Details and Platform
The vehicle that was put to the test was an FWD model that came with the new 1.5-liter turbo petrol four-cylinder unit that is mated to a CVT transmission. However, this will not be the only engine offered. The Japanese company will also include their current 2.2-liter diesel unit while a six-speed manual gearbox and FWD option will be available as well.
The four-cylinder powerplant is smooth and refined, it delivers the sharp throttle response even at low 1,500 rpm. Official performance figures of the unit have yet to be announced, but according to the project manager Hiroyuki Kagawa, we should expect around 120 bhp and 200 Nm of torque.
The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse is based on the shortened Outlander platform. In order to shed as much weight as possible, lightweight materials are used, but they also added extra reinforcement bits and pieces to make the vehicle stronger. Compared to the rivalry cars that come with a cheaper torsion beam, the new Eclipse is equipped with a more upscale multi-link rear axle.
Test Drive
The first thing you notice when you sit behind the wheel and start driving this car is a faster steering rack. It is quite precise, and even though this Mitsubishi was tested in the winter conditions, it was so easy to control the vehicle. At low speeds, the ride is rather firm, but as you press the acceleration pedal, it remains planted, just like it is the case with the Ateca. The 2018 Eclipse is equipped with an electronically controlled S-AWC all-wheel drive, because of which the handling in cold and snowy weather is improved.
The CVT appears to be the weakness which struggles at high speeds and that responds to the steering wheel mounted shifter paddles in a lazy manner. Moreover, when you hold a steady throttle at about 30 mph there is a surging sensation, and Kagawa said that the transmission still needed calibration work.
Conclusion
After the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse has been tested, we can conclude that this car has a lot of potentials. If the production model is to be as handsome as it is indicated, this car will be a very good crossover.
