Mitsubishi is going to release a refreshed Eclipse for the 2009 model year. The automaker has announced that the base GS Eclipse will start at $20,099.
If you want to jump up to the more powerful and better looking GT it will set you back $24,999. The Spyder convertible starts at $25,799 for the four-cylinder GS and the V6 powered GT starts at $29,999.
For 2009 the Eclipse receives a new EVO-style front fascia, revised rear fascia, new 18" alloy wheels and dual exhaust on the GT and a small bump in horsepower from 263 to 265 horsepower on the GT.
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
Full Story: Motor Authority
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Comments (17)
An improvement over the current version, but still not in the styling as the 90s version. I'm not a big fan of the front fascia on this or the Lancer Evo. I want the center front bumper area painted the same color as the body. I also am not a big fan of making the projector headlights look like "eyeballs." Body design is alright, and engine appears decent.
Posted by Mike M | May 2, 2008 7:18 PM
Posted on May 2, 2008 19:18
Not a bad looking car IMO. What did they do with that rearend photo though? It makes me want to throw up.
Posted by Alex | May 2, 2008 8:45 PM
Posted on May 2, 2008 20:45
An improvement and not a bad looking car, for sure. However if you look at the Genesis coupe coming out next year it makes this Eclipse seem horridly over priced... Perhaps if they would throw the Evo engine and AWD system in it they would help the Eclipse sales quite a bit. Ever since they went to the V6 the sales have been lack luster. More of just a chick car now.
Posted by Gary | May 2, 2008 9:06 PM
Posted on May 2, 2008 21:06
I agree it should have the Evo or better yet a 2.4l turbo and an AWD system in the top of the line model, with a little bit of a diet the performance could likely be salvaged. On the bright side it looks like the next gen will finally go back in the right direction.
Posted by Travis | May 2, 2008 11:02 PM
Posted on May 2, 2008 23:02
This car is toast when the new Lancer Ralliart (detuned Evo engine/AWD) and Hyundai Coupe come out (also a detuned Evo engine/RWD).
Posted by Noya | May 3, 2008 2:10 AM
Posted on May 3, 2008 02:10
This is pathetic. MMUSA wasted the Eclipse nameplate on this rolling trashcan?
Posted by Jason | May 3, 2008 7:42 AM
Posted on May 3, 2008 07:42
Noya there should be a new Eclipse in a few years, The concept RA was basicly an early hint as to what it may be like, It looks to me like it may be a 3 door short body version of the Lancer.
The engine in the Hyundai is not exactly the same as the Evo engine, Chrysler, Mitsu and Hyundai, did enter into an alliance called GEMA to lower the cost of their engines by sharing design, however the design being shared is the basic block only, each company still comes up with the rest of the hardware on their own. The 2.4 is a related block as well so say the Caliber SRT-4 is closely related as well. However I will say that IMHO the Mitsu engines have been the best offspring of this alliance so far.
The Hyundai is a very interesting car though, The block was built to take a lot more power than they intend for it to put out, so depending on how bad the pistons and con rods and the head not to mention the turbo actualy are it could be a tuners dream, or it could take some serious coin to up the output much.
Posted by Travis | May 3, 2008 12:49 PM
Posted on May 3, 2008 12:49
so is it still the heaviest/slowest /handles like dog's ass vehicle in its category??
Posted by SVT | May 3, 2008 9:58 PM
Posted on May 3, 2008 21:58
@ Travis
I would wager the engine in the Hyundai will be nearly as stout as the EVO's version, I mean even the gay Caliber has forged internals.
The limiting component will probably be the turbocharger, as many stock turbo cars in the $20k range (Mazda3, Caliber, 2g DSM, etc) generally run out of steam well below redline due to the small fast spooling turbo.
I remember when I replaced the stock 14b on my 1g awd DSM to a ported "Big" 16g / ported 2g exh. manifold I was smiling like an idiot for a week. Getting full boost from about about 3000-7000rpm was insane. But of course those mods necessitated a FMIC and fuel pump and injectors and ......what a money pit lol.
Posted by Noya | May 3, 2008 9:59 PM
Posted on May 3, 2008 21:59
Looks better than my 350Z. If I'd bought one of these, maybe I could afford to put gas in it.
Posted by WVO | May 5, 2008 8:40 AM
Posted on May 5, 2008 08:40
Mitsubishi seems to have made alot of progress in their design department but I have heard so many bad things about reliability of the Mitsubishi brand. I like this design as well as the new Lancer but would probably never buy one because of their poor reputation they have with reliability.
It take more than looks to sell a car.
Posted by Gabe | May 5, 2008 11:24 AM
Posted on May 5, 2008 11:24
Looks better than the current version, but the backend is still pretty hideous. Pretty much everything from the rear wheel wells back needs to be redesigned.
Posted by gm0n3y | May 5, 2008 11:35 AM
Posted on May 5, 2008 11:35
Impressed I am.. They should of went all out with a 09 Eclipse GTX! That would of raised some brows.
Posted by Yoda | May 5, 2008 9:12 PM
Posted on May 5, 2008 21:12
Ha.
Tell me you didnt think it was the new GTR at first glance...
Posted by jamison | May 7, 2008 6:43 AM
Posted on May 7, 2008 06:43
Make this with an EVO engine and AWD and I'm at the dealer.
Posted by rene291 | May 10, 2008 8:45 AM
Posted on May 10, 2008 08:45
styling wise this is a great car but performance wise this car sucks
Posted by Terrell Lampley | February 6, 2009 9:11 PM
Posted on February 6, 2009 21:11
styling wise this is a great car but performance wise this car sucks
Posted by Terrell Lampley | February 6, 2009 9:11 PM
Posted on February 6, 2009 21:11