Mitsubishi Eclipse

Mitsubishi Eclipse
Production period:	1990-2012
Class :	Sports car
Body versions :	Coupé , station wagon coupé , convertible
Previous model:	Mitsubishi Cordia

The Mitsubishi Eclipse sports coupé was jointly developed by the manufacturers Mitsubishi (as "Eclipse"), Plymouth (as laser ) and Chrysler's subsidiary Eagle (as Talon ). For this purpose, the Diamond Star Motors joint venture was founded in 1985 .

The Mitsubishi Eclipse was produced for the US market from the beginning of 1990 to the end of 2012 at the plant in Normal (Illinois) . A total of over 1.4 million vehicles were sold.

Eclipse (D20, 1990-1995)

1st generation
Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupé (1990-1995)
Production period:	1990-1995
Body versions :	Combi coupe
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.8–2.0 liters (68–154 kW)
Length:	4390 mm
Width:	1695 mm
Height:	1305-1320 mm
Wheelbase :	2470 mm
Empty weight :	1310 kg

Rear view

The first generation of the Eclipse was built from early 1990 to autumn 1995. It was available in the USA in several equipment and engine variants. The simplest versions had the 1.8-l SOHC engine 4G37 (68 kW / 92 PS), front-wheel drive , no rear window wiper and manual window lifters.

The following engines were available:

• RS 1.8-l SOHC engine 4G37 (68 kW / 92 PS) and front-wheel drive
• GS (16V) 2.0 l DOHC engine 4G63 (100 kW / 136 PS) and front-wheel drive
• GSi (16V) 2.0-l DOHC engine 4G63 (110 kW / 150 PS) and front-wheel drive
• GS-T 2.0-l DOHC engine 4G63T (143–154 kW / 195–210 hp) and front-wheel drive and turbocharging
• GS-X 2.0-l DOHC engine 4G63T (143–154 kW / 195–210 PS) and permanent all-wheel drive and turbocharging
• GSi (16V) 2.0-l DOHC engine 4G63 (110 kW / 150 PS) and front-wheel drive as Targa (conversion by Erich Goeckel)

Only a special version of the GS and, from 1994, the GS-T were imported to Germany. This had an external oil cooler, a knock sensor, a higher compression (10.4: 1 instead of 9: 1) and more power (110 kW instead of 100 kW for the GS or 143 kW for the GS-T) than the American GS. The German Eclipse was only available in one version: full equipment except for the sunroof and leather interior. In addition, the Top and GT equipment packages could be ordered, which included a sports suspension from Eibach and Koni , a different rear apron, larger 16-inch wheels, a twin-pipe exhaust system and a sports steering wheel from the Momo brand. The Targa was only built around 200 times. The Targa roof can be removed in two parts and the floor assembly has been reinforced with two 1.5 mm steel plates, which makes the Targa around 60 kg heavier than the series Eclipse. The window regulator control has been adapted so that the windows lower briefly when the door is opened and then rise again when the door is closed. Over time, almost all Targa roofs began to leak, so an additional seal must be installed.

• GSi (16V) 2.0-l DOHC engine 4G63 (110 kW / 150 PS) and front-wheel drive as Targa (conversion by Erich Goeckel)
• GS (Germany) 2.0-l DOHC engine 4G63 (110 kW / 150 PS) and front-wheel drive
• GS-T (Germany) 2.0-liter DOHC engine 4G63T (143 kW / 195 PS) and front-wheel drive and turbocharging

The elevation on the bonnet on the left serves to provide enough space for the timing belt cover of the Mitsubishi 4G63 engine (the basic RS model had the smaller 4G37 engine, but still had the hump on the bonnet).

For Austria there was a so-called "Sucker" -GSX. This combines the 150 hp engine from the GS with the all-wheel drive from the GSX.

Mitsubishi Eclipse GS / GS-T

• 2.0 l, 1997 cm³, R4, 110 kW (150 PS) / 143 kW (195 PS)
• Model Code: D22 AMNHMLF6
• Versions: D20 / D22A

Acceleration 0–100 km / h in 9.1 s (GS) / 8.4 s (GS-T), top speed 220 km / h.

Eclipse (D30, 1995-2000)

2nd generation
Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupé (1995-1998)
Production period:	1995-2000
Body versions :	Kombicoupé , convertible
Engines:	Petrol engines : 2.0–2.4 liters (104–157 kW)
Length:	4375-4380 mm
Width:	1735-1745 mm
Height:	1275-1340 mm
Wheelbase :	2510 mm
Empty weight :	1395 kg

In autumn 1995 the second generation came on the market, which in the USA had a different engine from Chrysler (2.0 l DOHC, engine code: D420A) as the basic model (without turbocharger ). In the US, the 4G63 engines in the GS-T and GSX (which were also installed in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution ) remained largely the same as in the predecessor.

For Germany and the EU, only the basic model with 4G63 engine (up to year of construction 1996: exhaust gas classification Euro 1 with 107 kW and Euro 2 with 104 kW) was sold again, externally only through the standard double pipe exhaust on the older Euro 1 Version recognizable.

In contrast to the previous model, there was also a convertible version called "Spyder". This full convertible with a soft top was offered with both the 2.4 l naturally aspirated 4G64 engine with 105 kW (143 hp) and the 2.0 l turbo version GS-T with the 157 kW (214 hp) 4G63T engine. Mitsubishi did not sell the Spyder in Europe, however.

In the summer of 1998 the Eclipse received a facelift (modified bumpers, side skirts, headlights / fog lights, color of the interior and upholstery of the seats). In addition, the ABS contributed by Bosch was revised, which often failed between 1995 and 1997 (splash water damage in the ABS hydraulic block). With the introduction of a new ABS, the passenger footwell became deeper because the control unit was integrated into the ABS hydraulic block.

Mitsubishi Eclipse GS (Germany)

• 2.0 l, 1997 cm³, R4, 107 kW (146 PS) up to 1996

Acceleration 0-100 km / h in 9.4 s, top speed 220 km / h.

• 2.0 l, 1997 cm³, R4, 104 kW (141 hp) from 1996

Acceleration 0-100 km / h in 9.5 s, top speed 217 km / h.

Mitsubishi Eclipse GS Spyder

• 2.4 l, 2389 cm³, R4, 105 kW (143 hp)

Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T Spyder

• 2.0 l, 1997 cm³, R4 Turbo, 157 kW (214 PS)

Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX and GS-T

• 2.0 l, 1997 cm³, R4 Turbo, 157 kW (214 PS)

GST accelerates from 0-100 km / h in 6.8 s.
GSX accelerates from 0-100 km / h in 6.5 s.
The maximum speed of the GSX and GS-T was 220 km / h.

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  Rear view

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  Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe (1998-2000)

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  Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder (1998-2000)

Eclipse (D50, 2000-2005)

3rd generation
Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupé (2000-2003)
Production period:	2000-2005
Body versions :	Kombicoupé , convertible
Engines:	Petrol engines : 2.4-3.0 liters (114-154 kW)
Length:	4455-4490 mm
Width:	1750 mm
Height:	1315-1340 mm
Wheelbase :	2560 mm
Empty weight :	1420 kg

The third generation of the sports coupé went on sale in spring 2000. This Eclipse was almost exclusively offered in the USA. In the last year of production, a limited number was sold to Japan. It was available as a coupé and a Spyder.

The basis was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder ( D50 ) with approx. 114 kW / 154 PS, which was available in the GS and RS model variants . The turbo version known from the previous model was replaced by a 3.0l V6 engine ( D53a ) with 151 kW / 205 PS (GT model).

From spring 2003 there was a small facelift for the Eclipse. The modified front bumper and the modified fuel cap were the most noticeable innovations. The GT was named GTS, and the 3.0l V6 engine now had an output of 154 kW / 210 PS due to a modified intake (variable intake manifold).

The engines offered came in two different emission standards: Fed-Spec (Federal Specification) and Cal-Spec (California Specification). In the Cal-Spec, the V6 engine of the GT / GTS, compared to the Fed-Spec, has two pre-catalytic converters, which ensure earlier and better exhaust gas aftertreatment.

In Europe this car was only available as a gray import . The supply of spare parts is not completely guaranteed by German Mitsubishi workshops and is usually offset by equivalent spare parts from the Mitsubishi Galant V6 24V.

The top speed is 240 km / h (electronically governed), and acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes 7.2 s.

The D50 series was discontinued in spring 2005.

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  Rear view

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  Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder (2003-2005)

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  Rear view

Eclipse 4G (2005-2012)

4G
Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe (2005-2008)
Production period:	2005–2012
Body versions :	Coupé , convertible
Engines:	Petrol engines : 2.4–3.8 liters (123–194 kW)
Length:	4565 mm
Width:	1835 mm
Height:	1360-1390 mm
Wheelbase :	2575 mm
Empty weight :	1730 (convertible) kg

The fourth Eclipse was presented to the public for the first time in the spring of 2005 at the Detroit Auto Show .

This model series was available in three versions: Eclipse GS / Eclipse GS Spyder, Eclipse GT / Eclipse GT Spyder and Eclipse SE.

In autumn 2008 the Eclipse received a facelift. In addition to other exterior colors for the entire series, there was a new body kit with a large rear wing and a double-pipe exhaust system for the GT version .

At the end of 2012, production of the Eclipse was discontinued without a successor. The name "Eclipse" was taken up again in 2017 and referred to as the Eclipse Cross an SUV.

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  Rear view

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  Mitsubishi Eclipse SE Coupé (2008-2012)

Web links

Commons : Mitsubishi Eclipse  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Coupé or SUV? Why or?
2. ↑ Mitsubishi Eclipse discontinued ( Memento of the original from January 16, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.