Through the Years Mitsubishi Eclipse

2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse – media.mitsubishicars.com  |  Shop Mitsubishi Eclipse on Carsforsale.com

Eclipsing the Competition 

Big hair, acid-wash jeans, and neon colors were all the rage. So were sports compact sports coupes like the Honda CRX, Ford Probe, and the car that we’re focusing on today: the Mitsubishi Eclipse. The Eclipse wasn’t as long-lasting as some other cars we’ve covered, but, as you’re about to find out, it did have a pretty impressive debut and a decent run before being retired after 15 years in production.

The Eclipse, named after an undefeated 18th-century English racehorse, was sold in North America, Brazil, South Korea, the Philippines, China, and the Middle East. It should also be noted that while the final Mitsubishi Eclipse was manufactured in August 2011, that wasn’t the end of the Eclipse name. Mitsubishi resurrected the name in 2017 in the form of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. That was evidently a good decision because the Eclipse Cross is still an active model. Right now, though, let’s go back and take a look at the original Eclipse.

1st Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse (1990–1994) 

• The very first Mitsubishi Eclipse in America was introduced as a 1990 model on November 11, 1989, just barely making it into the tail end of the 1980s when compact sports coupes were starting to get some attention.
• When the Eclipse was introduced at the Greater New England International Auto Show in Boston, it became Mitsubishi Motors’ first U.S.-built production vehicle.
• The Eclipse, which was manufactured at the Mitsubishi/Chrysler plant in Normal, Illinois, was rebadged with the same platform and parts as the Eagle Talon (sold by Jeep-Eagle) and the Plymouth Laser. Chrysler sold it as the Eclipse. This manufacturing partnership was known as Diamond-Star Motors.
• It was offered at a price of $10,682 with a variety of engine choices, including a 2.0L 16-valve Turbo 4AT that made 192 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque.

• The 1990 Eclipse had a manual transmission and standard front-wheel drive (FWD) but models with the 4G37 and 4G63 engines came with available all-wheel drive (AWD) came a few months later.
• Five trim levels were part of the 1990 release: the base model, the Eclipse GS, the Eclipse GS DOHC, the Eclipse GS Turbo, and the Eclipse GSX.
• Antilock brakes were offered on the 1991 Eclipse GS-T and GSX models.
• 1992 Ford Eclipse models were freshened up with new front styling for the air dam and headlights. The pop-up headlights were replaced by exposed aerodynamic headlights. Leather seat trim was removed from the list of GS-X features, too.

• Changes for the 1993 model included new seat stitching and a new manual shift knob. New wheels were also added. Additional changes included a new rear spoiler on GS models and standard antilock brakes on GSX models.
• There weren’t any major changes made to the 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse, the last model of the first generation, but the GSX Turbo models were given a slight boost up to 197 horsepower and 202 lb-ft of torque with its turbocharged inline-4. The turbo was matched with AWD and a five-speed manual gearbox.
• 1994 was the last year for the Eagle Talon.

2nd Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse (1995–1999) 

• The second generation of the Mitsubishi Eclipse was kicked off with the 1996 model that featured a smoother, more rounded body. The result was a lower drag coefficient.
• Mechanical options in the new 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse were unchanged, but designers did refine the vehicle enough to achieve 210 horsepower.
• Besides the redesign and increase in horsepower, dual airbags were made standard on the 1995 Eclipse. Trims available for the 1995 Eclipse were the RS, GS, GS-T (with a turbo 2.0 L engine), and the GSX.
• Mitsubishi added three new colors to freshen up the 1996 Eclipse a little bit more. Eclipse RS models were also available with a rear spoiler.

• Another big change for 1996 model was a new convertible body style. The convertible was named the Eclipse Spyder. Neither the GS or GS-T trim levels were available in AWD.
• The changes continued on into the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse with the addition of a CD player, new interior fabric and color combinations, and even more exterior colors, including an all-black version.
• Mitsubishi issued a recall in 1998 for every 1990 to 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX models. The issue was a loss of vehicle control, caused by the lockup of the transfer case, which resulted in insufficient lubrication. 24,275 vehicles were impacted.

• The 1998 version of the Eclipse didn’t have too many changes, but a sunroof, remote keyless entry, and a power driver seat were all added as standard features to the GSX trim.
• Even more features were added as standard to the various 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse trims. The GSX received antilock brakes and a limited slip differential. The GS-T was given a security system with keyless entry. The RS wasn’t left out either. It was given an AM/FM/CD player combo.
• A Sports Value Package, which included 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, leather front seats, power locks and windows, cruise control, and a chrome exhaust tip, was also available at the GS trim level.

3rd Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse (2000–2005) 

• Finally, the Eclipse has more engine options! However, the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse didn’t have any turbo option. Instead, there was a base four-cylinder 2.4 L engine with 155 horsepower and a 3.0 L V6 that made 205 horsepower.
• Transmission choices also expanded on the 2000 model. There was a five-speed manual transmission (which was standard), a four-speed automatic transmission, or a new Sportronic automanual transmission. The Sportronic allowed drivers to change their own gears without using a clutch.
• So, more engine options (but no turbo) and more transmission choices. However, AWD was no longer an option on the 2000 Eclipse. The third-generation Eclipse shared a powertrain with the eighth-generation Mitsubishi Galant.

• Changes, whether good or bad, weren’t limited to under the hood. The body was redesigned with ribbed contours in the doors and front fascia,
• Inside, the rear still had bucket-style seats, but they were larger than before, giving adults more space to sit. The wraparound cockpit was eliminated, too. Instead, the dash was more uniform.
• The ride itself was better thanks to a more rigid sub-frame and wheelbase that was two inches longer than the previous model.

• Trim levels for the third-generation 2000 Eclipse included the RS, GS, and GT. Those trim levels stayed the same for the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse, too.
• The 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse rolled off the line with less horsepower. Specifically, the GT went from 205 horsepower in the 2000 model to 200 horsepower in the 2001 version. This was a result of tighter emission standards in California.
• Flash Blue and Titanium were added to the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse color palate. One of the only other minor changes was vanity mirrors that were now illuminated.

• A high-performance GTS trim was introduced for the 2003 Eclipse. 210 horsepower and 205 lb-ft of torque was achieved with its 3.0 L V6.
• In a slight safety upgrade, a seatbelt reminder light was added to the instrument panel of all 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse models. The only other minor updates were power mirrors on the RS trim and a new six-speaker stereo.
• With a new generation quickly approaching, Mitsubishi sent the third-generation Eclipse off into the sunset with a couple of updates. First, the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS trim was eliminated from the lineup. Second, a REMIX Edition was added. It featured leather front seats, a six-disc CD changer, 16-inch alloy wheels, a chrome exhaust tip, and a 210-watt Infinity stereo.

4th Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse (2006–2012) 

• Next up was a redesigned 2006 Eclipse. First, there are the outside visuals. A wind tunnel-inspired front fascia, a long and arching C-pillar, and curved fenders helped set this Eclipse apart from others. The overall wedge-shaped design resulted in a more athletic look.
• Two extra inches were added to the height of the 2006 Eclipse. Passengers received a little more headroom since the overall interior space increased by two cu. ft.
• The Eclipse Spyder convertible remained available in this new generation of the coupe.
• Two trim levels, the GS and GT, offered two engine options. The GS was powered by a 2.4 L inline-4 making 162 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The 3.8 L V6 in the GT produced 263 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.

• That 2.4 L engine was mated to a four or five-speed automatic transmission. The 3.8 L V6 had a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Both of the automatics also had the Sportronic mode that Mitsubishi introduced in previous models. It was still a FWD car.
• At its max, the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse weighed 3,545 lbs. It was stronger and more rigid than before, made of high-tensile strength steel panels.
• A GT Premium Sport Package delivers leather upholstery, heated seats, a power sunroof, power front seat adjustment, and 18-inch aluminum wheels.
• Another package was the GT Sun and Sound package, previously only available for the GS trim. That adds a power sunroof, Rockford-Fosgate audio system, steering wheel audio controls, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

• The 2008 model didn’t bring many changes. Satellite radio was made available to all 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse models. 18-inch alloy wheels were also made standard at the GT trim level.
• However, the 2009 Eclipse did receive a facelift. Most of it was noticeable from the front. A new grille and blacked-out bumper gave it an edgier look. It also had a new wing
• Stability control was made standard on GT models with the V6 engine.
• The 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse introduced a GS Sport model with the 2.4L four-cylinder engine the GS used. However, the GS Sport added the features from the GT trim, so it mixed fuel efficiency, features, and affordability into one model.

• Add-ons were the only other updates made to the 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse. For example, stability control and an auxiliary audio jack were made standard across the lineup. Bluetooth and a rearview camera were made available as well.
• There was a price drop for the 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse base model. The Eclipse base went from $22,459 on the 2010 model to $18,999 on the 2011 model. The base model also received standard alloy wheels.
• Heated leather front seats and a power driver seat were both added to the GS Sport.
• The option of a manual transmission was eliminated from the GT trim. Every 2011 Eclipse received a blacked-out roof.

2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse – media.mitsubishicars.com |  Shop Mitsubishi Eclipse on Carsforsale.com

• Any upgrades for the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse could be found on the SE model, a special edition for what would be the final model year of the Eclipse.
• The SE was still equipped with a 2.4 L four-cylinder making 162 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, but it also had xenon headlights, a rear windshield wiper, a sunroof, Bluetooth, a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate, satellite radio, and styling like dark gray alloy wheels, black mirrors, and rocker panels.
• The last Mitsubishi Eclipse was Kalapana Black, a color chosen by Mitsubishi fans on Facebook. It was the only 2012 Eclipse powered by a 3.8 L V6 engine. The car was auctioned off in September of 2012 for just $35,000.
• By the end of its run, the Mitsubishi moved 906,876 Eclipse models. 21 years
• The Eclipse still lives on, however. The 1995 Eclipse that was featured in 2001’s The Fast and the Furious sold for $170,500 in 2022. The same paint job was applied to an active listing for a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse, too.

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