Edmund's Inside Line: 06 Eclipse Full Test

[Blue Bomber]

...the company hasn't come back to turbos or AWD. Instead, there's an even bigger V6 under the hood of GT models. It displaces 3.8 liters, same as in the Galant. Variable valve timing and lift results in considerably more horsepower, now rated at 263 at 5,750 rpm. Torque is up to 260 pound-feet at 4,500 rpm. A six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic with a manual shift gate are available.

The base GS model keeps last year's 2.4-liter inline four, but it picks up variable valve timing this year, which helps it to 162 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. It can be fitted with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.



The switch to the stiffer Project America platform (Galant, Endeavor), however, has increased curb weight to an obese 3,500 pounds.



The big V6 doesn't quite have the athletic demeanor of the 350Z's V6, but it sounds mean and has enough bottom-end thrust to break the front tires loose even with the traction control on. There's torque steer, too, which shouldn't be a surprise when you put that much power through the front tires.

With medium throws and easy clutch work, our six-speed Eclipse GT pulled a 6.8-second 0-60 and a 14.9 quarter-mile. Check out our recent sport coupe comparison test and you'll see the Eclipse is faster than the Mazda RX-8, but no match for the Nissan 350Z or Ford Mustang GT.



With 62 percent of its weight up front, the coupe never turns in with the eagerness of most competitors, but an average speed of 64.9 mph establishes the Mitsu as faster through the cones than the 350Z, the Mustang and the RX-8. ( :wtf: )



Unfortunately, the brakes aren't at the same level. They felt solid during repeated runs on twisty roads, but when we summoned their full reserves at the test track, the best they could do from 60 mph was 131 feet. A Mustang GT can do it in 121. An RX-8 can do it in 108.

In low-adrenaline moments, the Eclipse rides more comfortably than the 350Z or RX-8, but its 40-foot turning radius will have you muttering obscenities on tight city streets.



The 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT is a huge improvement over its predecessor. It may not be as hard-core as Nissan's Z or Mazda's RX-8, or as fast as a Mustang GT, but it's way more fun than a Honda Accord Coupe and just as comfortable.



What Works:
Torquey V6 with baritone exhaust, outstanding seat comfort, nimble handling for a front-driver, optional Rockford Fosgate's deep bass, simple controls, convenient hatchback.

What Needs Work:
Excessive torque steer, too much weight up front, big turning radius, cramped backseat, no stability control.

Bottom Line:
It's fun and it weighs over 3,500 pounds? Evidently, there's something to be said for front-drive coupes with big V6s.



http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/roadtest/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.gt/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.f34.2.500.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/roadtest/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.gt/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.r34.500.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/roadtest/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.gt/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.act.top.500.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/roadtest/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.gt/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.eng.500.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/roadtest/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.gt/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.int.500.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/roadtest/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.gt/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.seats.500.jpgComplete review here:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=105582#13

[vcel523]

Nice engine, but not that tuner friendly
Interior = :thumbup:
Exterior = :puke:

[Oo DaRk StAr oO]

Looks like crap

[R K e 1 C A]

:werd:

[snoldak924]

Yea, the exterior reminds me of the current mercury cougar. IMO, the late 90's model was the best, second best is the current gen(2000-2005).

[marc]

Its a grand am

and if a 14.9 is faster than an RX-8 they were racing an auto - every other magazine got a 14.5-14.6 stock at around 96-97 mph.

the only way it outslalomed any of those cars if it had ringer tires on it.

[XYRCNCP]

:thumbdown:

[CeliKill180]

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/roadtest/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.gt/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.seats.500.jpg

wow those seats look original.

[Oo DaRk StAr oO]

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/roadtest/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.gt/06.mitsubishi.eclipse.seats.500.jpg

wow those seats look original.


Those are the same seats except the hole in the top as are in my 2004 Eclipse GTS.

[iMouseGTS]

Looks great from above, but that's it.

Interior is nice except for that steering wheel, what's up with that.

[madman genius]

I dunno, I'm kind of on the fence. I mean 3500 lbs is pretty heavy for something sporty like that (makes our Camry seem light) and 0-60 in 6.8 is nice but not spectacular. I would think if you're going to release an '06 model you would try to compete with current releases and not benchmark it against what you did 10 years ago. Am I just being whiney?

[MicaCeli]

I thought it was a RWD......R&D did an article on it.....they said it was RWD.

[TRD2000GTS]

damn that thing is ugly as hell....nice power but weighs too much :thumbdown

[ZBoyce]

needs exterior help, bad..
40ft turn radius??? lollllll :lame:

[lv_boy]

Is it really a v-6, coz i dont see the v formation in the engine pic, to me it looks more like an inline-6. Is that a typo ;)

[X-EVIL-X]

if they made it look like the original concept it would of looked better. but im not sure what they changed about it i cant tell.
and 3500 pounds. that thing is gonna handle like a boat.

[X-EVIL-X]

the rear end looks like an audi tt.
i think it will look good once they lower it and change the wheels.
the wheels kill it.

[stein]

needs exterior help, bad..
40ft turn radius??? lollllll :lame:


Not feeling it... Front-end lines are all wrong, it's like they made the headlights around the body.

[alex93393]

Nice engine, but not that tuner friendly
Interior = :thumbup:
Exterior = :puke:
:werd:

[Blue Bomber]

the only way it outslalomed any of those cars if it had ringer tires on it.
The slalom times for the other cars seems a bit low. I thought they handled better? Is it really a v-6, coz i dont see the v formation in the engine pic, to me it looks more like an inline-6. Is that a typo ;)
It says V6 on the engine. :p: Besides, it's too small to be an I6.

[AbsolutlyRed]

Damn, thats uglier than the current eclipse (2nd gen wasn't too bad). Although, with that 'big' V6, I'll give it some respect.

[gts_rosh]

They really went and chryslered it badly. It reminds me more of those Dodge Stratus, Sebring, Avenger type coupes. They had that big round rear too, with FWD, with a huge V6. Its totally not a direction I thought Mitsubishi would go.

[celicajonz]

barf!!!!

things looks like a deformed egg!!!!!

[555 SOUL]

you can put 500hp in it, it still won't make it look good.

[harrison888]

Did Mitsu put the wrong engine into this car by mistake?? come on this engine should belong to the Montero !!

[Injencelica]

damn that thing is ugly as hell....nice power but weighs too much :thumbdown


:chuckles:

[jonnyess]

it stinks

[CelicaDetective]

Say goodbye to Mitsubishi in a couple of years. When will they ever learn. At least they got the Evo MR right, but still, a little too late.

[Chaz]

I don't think it looks that bad, but the weight just sinks it :thumbdown

[LimpMasterJ]

Looks a lot better than any Celica.

[Blue Bomber]

Looks a lot better than any Celica.
That doesn't work outside of OT. :p:

[Chumpchiggy]

Looks a lot better than any Celica.

Agreed.

I like the style of it.

[LimpMasterJ]

I change my mind then.

[My Sixth Gear]

Is it really a v-6, coz i dont see the v formation in the engine pic, to me it looks more like an inline-6. Is that a typo ;)
its a v-6, notice how it says 3.8l v-6 on the valve cover

[eurotoyz]

and mitsu wonders why their sales sux so bad. Give it a 4g63 and redesign everything.

[oONoGoAutoOo]

whats the price tag on em?

[Blue Bomber]

GS will start under 20K, and the GT will start under 25K.

[cycocelica]

Looks a lot better than any Celica.

yup

the tail lights are the only things I hate...def. not my fav though

[Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi-Con]

Good to see they turned the Eclipse from a small, quick, and fun car. Into an Accord coupe competetor.

[Ugly Pete]

they might as well go ahead and make a 4 door version.

[Oo DaRk StAr oO]

they might as well go ahead and make a 4 door version.

They did, its called a Galant :scared:

[SingleCamCivic]

I like, needs about a 3" drop and Some dish in the rims......Maby a little spoiler. Id drive it.

[hey11101]

car looks like ****. Eclipse just keep getting worse every year they make them. Seems the only way mitsu is going is down.

[flyimages]

the rear looks like a audi tt or 350z & the front looks like a tiburon... the car is pretty ugly..

[AdamVIP]

Those seats look really comfortable though.

[Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi-Con]

hmm.. just got my R&T today. They're saying 3570lbs curb weight, and 0-60 in 5.8 with a 14.4@101 in the 1/4... that's not slow, but man what a porker

[SingleCamCivic]

whats with the mirrors stuck on the door/I hope the prodo version has the mirros where they are suppose to be.

[Fyr fytr]

Did they steal that interior from Toyo? :bs:


Say goodbye to Mitsubishi in a couple of years. When will they ever learn. At least they got the Evo MR right, but still, a little too late.

Toyota vs Nissan :gayfight:

[AdamVIP]

I kinda like the mirrors on the door. Its different. Id argue and say that styling is distinctivly mitsu and it reminds me alot of the 2nd gen which is probably what the designers wer going for.

I wonder how easy it will be to shed the weight. Cause thats a lot of free speed for people to get out of it.

[oONoGoAutoOo]

GS will start under 20K, and the GT will start under 25K.


thanks blue!

[My Sixth Gear]

i like it i think its a step up from the 3rd gen.. but the only things i dont really like are the chrome tails and steering wheel
page2

[larryd]

Bah, it needs to go on a diet.

[Automaton]

Thing looks like a big fat ugly piece of sh1t. I'd rather have a V6 accord (especially the hybrid) than this putred abomination. Hell, I'd rather take the city bus.

I predict that this will be the ad for the next Eclipse:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/n3vbj2/home/neonHi.gif

[00silverGTS6spd]

looks like the downs syndrom love child of an orgy between an audi TT, hyundai tiburon, and a scion TC.

straight FUGLY. and running a 14.9 with 263 hp doesnt impress me 1 bit. even the auto altima's are pulling better times then that. and they only claim like 245.