Title: The Mitsubishi Eclipse: A Classic Sports Coupe with a Storied History
Introduction:
The Mitsubishi Eclipse holds a special place in the hearts of automotive enthusiasts. Born out of a premier partnership between two global auto powerhouses, Mitsubishi Motors and Chrysler Corporation, the Eclipse became one of the most revered sports coupes of its time. From its inception in 1990 until its discontinuation in 2012, the Eclipse went through numerous transformations, captivating buyers with its sleek design, powerful engines, and exhilarating performance.
1. The Birth of the Diamond-Star Alliance:
– In 1985, Mitsubishi Motors and Chrysler Corporation formed a formal partnership, leading to the creation of Diamond Star Motors (DSM).
– The partnership was a strategic move for both companies, with Chrysler seeking to expand its product lines and Mitsubishi looking to penetrate the American market.
– With Chrysler’s financial backing and Mitsubishi’s expertise in engine and transmission manufacturing, the stage was set for the birth of a trio of highly regarded sports coupes – the Mitsubishi Eclipse, the Eagle Claw, and the Plymouth Laser.
2. The Evolution of the Eclipse:
– The Eclipse, named after an undefeated 18th-century English racehorse, was the shining star of the Diamond-Star lineup.
– Introduced in 1990, the Eclipse was initially available in four trim levels with various engine options and drivetrains.
– Over the years, the Eclipse underwent several generations, each bringing notable improvements and design changes.
– While the early generations of the Eclipse showcased its performance capabilities and versatility, the later generations witnessed a decline in its edge and features.
3. The Eclipse’s Performance and Influence:
– The Eclipse, particularly the turbocharged models, garnered a reputation for delivering impressive performance.
– Equipped with turbocharged engines and all-wheel drive (AWD), the Eclipse could rival even iconic sports cars like the Audi Quattro.
– Tuners embraced the Eclipse, recognizing its potential as a performance bargain, capable of reaching high speeds and dominating quarter-mile sprints.
– With its four-cylinder turbocharged powertrains, the Eclipse outperformed V8-powered vehicles like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, surprising many enthusiasts.
4. The Legacy of the Eclipse:
– As the demand for the Eclipse soared, production at the Normal plant, managed by Mitsubishi, increased each year.
– However, tensions between the two manufacturers often strained the partnership, leading to its eventual dissolution.
– In 2012, Mitsubishi discontinued the Eclipse, marking the end of an era for the beloved sports coupe.
Engaging Additional Piece:
The Mitsubishi Eclipse may be a thing of the past, but its impact on the automotive industry and enthusiasts alike is undeniable. While the Eclipse reached its pinnacle of popularity in the late ’90s and early 2000s, its legacy lives on in the hearts of fans and collectors.
What made the Eclipse special was not just its performance and sleek design but also its affordability. This “poor man’s sports car” allowed enthusiasts to experience the thrill of turbocharged power without breaking the bank. It became a canvas for tuners and modifiers, showcasing the limitless potential of aftermarket modifications.
Today, finding a well-maintained Eclipse is like discovering a hidden treasure. The used car market offers a plethora of options, catering to various budgets and preferences. From the naturally aspirated models to the turbocharged monsters of the ’90s, there is an Eclipse for every enthusiast.
Beyond the Eclipse, the automotive world has witnessed the rise of new sports coupes and performance vehicles. Brands like Subaru, Ford, and Honda have introduced their own iconic models that captivate the imagination of enthusiasts. The Subaru WRX, Ford Mustang, and Honda Civic Type R have carried the torch forward, offering exhilarating performance, striking design, and modern innovations.
In conclusion, the Mitsubishi Eclipse holds a special place in automotive history. It symbolizes a time when sporty coupes were accessible, and turbocharged power was within reach. While the Eclipse may have exited the stage, its legacy lives on, inspiring future generations of sports coupes to continue pushing boundaries and captivating the hearts of enthusiasts worldwide.
Summary:
The Mitsubishi Eclipse emerged from a premier partnership between Mitsubishi Motors and Chrysler Corporation in 1985. The Eclipse, along with its sibling models, the Eagle Claw and Plymouth Laser, became highly regarded sports coupes developed by the newly formed Diamond-Star Motors (DSM).
The Eclipse’s genealogy is worth discussing, with various trim levels, drivetrains, and engine options available throughout its production. Its reputation as a performance bargain allowed it to outpace V8-powered vehicles and compete with iconic sports cars of its time.
While the Eclipse’s popularity waned in its later years, it remains a classic and sought-after sports coupe. The used car market offers a range of options for enthusiasts, making it accessible to a new generation.
The Eclipse left an indelible mark on the automotive industry, showcasing the potential of turbocharged power and providing a canvas for tuners and modifiers. Although its production ended in 2012, its legacy lives on, inspiring future sports coupes to push the boundaries of performance and design.
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It was meant to be a premier partnership, brimming with possibilities: the alliance of a pair of global auto powerhouses from Japan and America Ultimately, the merger spawned a trio of highly regarded sports coupes: the mitsubishi eclipse, he eagle claw and the plymouth Laser, cars developed by the company that became Diamond star engines.
Although DSM’s beginnings go back to a flirtation in 1970, when chrysler corporation took a 15 percent stake in mitsubishi Motors, the partnership later culminated in a formal partnership in 1985. It was good timing: chrysler I was coming out of near bankruptcy; the Japanese company simply had nothing to please American buyers, and with government-imposed “voluntary” import quotas, its supply lines were vastly restricted.
Chrysler, seeking to expand its lines, built a plant in Normal, Illinois, but although Chrysler provided half of the $650 million for the facility, it left management to Mitsubishi. And Japanese facilities provided engines and transmissions. In late 1989, production of the Diamond-Star triplets: Laser, Eclipse and Talon, was in full swing.
Why is the Mitsubishi Eclipse a future classic?
The Eclipse, supposedly named for an undefeated 18th century English racehorse. who won 18 races in a row, was the shining star of the line. Due to its long serial production, the Eclipse’s genealogy is worth discussing. Initially, the car, designed at Mitsubishi Motors North America Design Studio and introduced in 1990, was available in four trim levels: Eclipse, Eclipse GS, Eclipse GS-T (Turbo), and Eclipse GSX.
It evolved first as a two-door coupe, then as a convertible or liftback, with front- or four-wheel drive, and with engine options including four naturally aspirated, four turbocharged, and V6 options. One really needs a scorecard to plot the generations: 1st generation (1990-1994), 2nd generation (1995-1999), 3rd generation (2000-2005)and 4th generation (2006-2012). Before the Eclipse… well, it was eclipsed, buyers of the third and fourth generation cars could spec a 3.8L V6 and a four. This swanky 2+2 sports car and its almost identical cousin, the Eagle Talon TSi, emerged as hot rods for the ’90s, and tuners gave them full support to power.
TO DSM History at Grassroots Motorsports He put it this way: “Simply put, turbo cars were among the fastest four-cylinder cars on the planet, and they were also a pure performance bargain. straight from the distributor, they could hit 140 mph and turn a quarter mile in less than 15 seconds. With all-wheel drive, they could hold their own as well, like no less than a Audi quattro offered a comparable transmission; however, the Diamond Stars would outperform a quattro. In fact, a top-of-the-line turbo DSM would be a departure from contemporary technology. mustangs and IROC Camaros, putting many V8 drivers to shame. With four wheels fighting for traction, the little coupes could even outrun a ‘Vette up to about 30 mph.
Glowing praise indeed. The demand was boiling. Production at the Normal plant increased each year. The AWD Talon was originally going to be the only Eagle car produced, but a front-wheel drive model was added.
Relations were often contentious between the two manufacturers. Chrysler sold its share of the Normal plant in 1991, and DSM was renamed Mitsubishi Motors Manufacturing America (MMMA) on July 1, 1995. The slow-selling Laser was discontinued, the Eclipse was upgraded in its second generation launched that year, with a lower and wider body and improved turbos.
But by the turn of the century, the Eclipse has lost some of its edge, even though it continued to offer a 3.8L V6 engine. It lost all-wheel drive, and in 2012, the sleek coupe was discontinued.
What is the ideal example of the Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Since DSM coupes have been around for quite a while, a good selection of used ones are found on Autoblog listings and elsewhere. If we limit the options to the Eclipse, prices range from around $6,000 up to $15,000 for a higher-end, lower-mileage model.
At the time of writing, our own classifieds section was showing deals on more than 120 Eclipse models.
When filtering the specifications, you have to choose between automatic or manual transmissions. As outlined above, engine choices are somewhat more complicated, involving choosing a naturally aspirated four-cylinder, turbo, or V6. a convertible Eclipse Spyder GS-T was also offered.
If you want the ultimate Eclipse, the 1995-1999 turbocharged 210-horsepower all-wheel-drive GSX model is the way to go.
Be sure to check our used car listings; They can be helpful in finding a good deal. You can narrow down the options in a radius around your ZIP code, and be sure to pay attention to the bargain rating on each listing to see how a vehicle compares to others in a similar area.
Are there good alternatives to the Mitsubishi Eclipse?
If the Eclipse version wasn’t your cup of saki, there are the Talon/Laser options. If that didn’t work, there were the Audis, the BMW 3 Seriesand a couple of darlings volkswagenhe ran and Scirocco (and GTI). Always lurking at the bottom of this category, is the sexy but much tamer. mazda miata.
https://www.autoblog.com/2023/06/22/mitsubishi-eclipse-future-classic/
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