Colin-on-Cars

 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ups its game

Incredibly silly puns keep leaping into my head as I’m busy trying to write this piece about the updated and refreshed Mitsubishi Eclipse (yes, the new one eclipses the outgoing model) that gets a revised exterior design along with enhanced technology and connectivity features. 

“Through dynamic performance, spirited design and progressive technology, the new Eclipse Cross is crafted to ignite passion. It will inspire customers to be bold and to break away from the norm,” explains Nic Campbell, general manager of Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA).

The new model’s styling is a balance between the sporty wedge shape of a coupé and the practicality, space and comfort of a SUV. With an increased length of 140 mm, the Eclipse Cross has evolved from being “muscularly agile” to “sleekly athletic”. 

The rear has evolved from the previous shape and the split rear tailgate window has been replaced by a sculpted hexagonal design with a single piece of glass. The rear boot end has also undergone a styling change, boasting a sportier look. The rear lamps now have a distinctive three-dimensional Y-shaped design, and extend upward and inward elegantly to follow the shape of the outside of the tailgate glass. 

Additional exterior features include electrically adjustable foldaway mirrors with indicator light, projector LED headlights with levelling device, daytime running lights (DRL), dusk-sensing headlamps, front fog lamps, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, front and rear park distance control.

 

“Spaciousness is one of the greatest strengths of the new Eclipse Cross. Finding a comfortable driving position is easy thanks to electric seat adjustment, now standard for both the driver and passenger seats, whilst maintaining plenty of head and leg room for all occupants,” says Campbell. 

The longer length of the body also means a larger boot capacity of 437 litres, increasing to 1 074 litres with the rear seats folded flat without compromising on the spare wheel tyre size. 

Interior highlights include a Smartphone-Link Display Audio (SDA) featuring Android Auto and Apple Car Play mirroring, trip information, fuel consumption data, vehicle health indicators and air-conditioning comfort display settings.

 

The new Eclipse Cross will be offered in two derivatives. Both are front-wheel drive and feature a continuously variable transmission (CVT). 

There are two engine options, the first being Mitsubishi’s latest 1,5-litre four-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine offering 110 kW at 5 500 r/min with 250 Nm of peak torque on tap between 2 000 r/min to 3 500 r/min. 

This powerplant is coupled with an eight-step automatic INVECS-III CVT gearbox. 

The second engine option is the 2,0-litre MIVEC DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine that uses a multipoint fuel injection system and offers 110 kW of power at 6 000 r/min and peak torque of 198 Nm at 4 200 r/min. 

Coupled to this engine is Mitsubishi’s six-step INVECS-III CVT. 

Safety features include reinforced impact safety evolution (RISE) body construction, seven crash bags, anti-lock braking system with brake assist (BAS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), active yaw control, hill start assist (HAS), active stability and traction control (ASCT) and rear view camera on the list.

 

The new Eclipse Cross range is priced from R459 995 for the 2.0 GLS derivative and R499 995 for the 1.5t GLS offering. 

“When one considers the Eclipse Cross has a strong SUV heritage and represents all the best attributes of the Mitsubishi brand, this makes it stand out amongst vehicles that offer affordability and very little else. Here you have a unique, high-quality vehicle that is packed with standard features and offers exceptional value for money too,” Campbell enthuses. 

It has a 3-year/100 000 km warranty, a 5-year/90 000 km service plan and five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance. Service intervals are set at 15 000 km.