What is the Mitsubishi Eclipse?
The Eclipse is a compact sport coupe with a low, wide shape and a driver-focused character. Mitsubishi designed it with an American influence, and it became the company’s North American sport compact. A convertible version, the Eclipse Spyder, joined the range during the second generation.
The Eclipse coupe is distinct from the later Eclipse Cross, which is a crossover SUV. Across four generations, the coupe’s styling and engine choices evolved over more than two decades.
Eclipse generations
The first generation (1990–1994) introduced the sporty coupe, with turbocharged versions and available all-wheel drive. The second generation (1995–1999) brought the Spyder convertible. The third generation (2000–2005) and fourth generation (2006–2012) continued the nameplate, with the fourth generation marking the end of the coupe’s run.
Mitsubishi described the Eclipse as a distinctive, low and wide sport coupe. It offered a style-led alternative within the company’s range for drivers drawn to compact coupes.
Engines and power
European Union registration figures cover 1.5- to 2.4-litre engines and power from 72 kW (98 PS) to 120 kW (163 PS). The listed European fuels include petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The most prominent EU registration entries are 1.5-litre petrol versions rated at 120 kW (163 PS).
US EPA figures span petrol engines from 1.8 to 3.8 litres, while Canadian NRCan entries cover 2.4- to 3.8-litre petrol versions.
Fuel consumption and markets
The lowest listed EU figure is 2 L/100 km under WLTP for a plug-in hybrid. This official weighted figure assumes some driving is electric, so it does not represent petrol use alone. The US EPA’s lowest listed figure is 9.8 L/100 km, with a best combined rating of 24 MPG. Canada’s lowest listed figure is 10 L/100 km on the NRCan 5-cycle test. These results use different procedures: WLTP in the EU, EPA in the US, and 5-cycle in Canada, so they are not directly comparable.
EU registration figures cover 2017 to 2021, US EPA figures 1990 to 2012, and Canadian NRCan figures 2003 to 2012.
Questions and answers
What type of car is the Mitsubishi Eclipse?
It is a compact sport coupe; the second generation also had a convertible version called the Eclipse Spyder.
When was the last Eclipse generation sold?
The fourth generation ran from 2006 to 2012.
What does the EU plug-in hybrid figure of 2 L/100 km mean?
It is a WLTP weighted figure that assumes part of the driving is electric.
Is the Eclipse the same car as the Eclipse Cross?
No. The Eclipse is the sport coupe; the Eclipse Cross is a crossover SUV.
