Mitsubishi is adding to its SUV and crossover lineup by resurrecting a nameplate that’s been dormant for a while. The Eclipse Cross, which debuted at the LA Auto Show this week, combines the coupe shape of the defunct Eclipse sporty car from Mitsubishi’s past with a crossover body style. Intended to be positioned between the Outlander Sport and the larger Outlander, the Eclipse Cross is an attempt to expand the brand in the U.S. by capitalizing on our national crossover buying spree.
The Eclipse Cross features the brand’s current Dynamic Shield front design, similar to that worn by the Outlander and Outlander Sport, but it has a sharp and distinctive beltline that runs from the A-pillar all the way to the back, with a noticeable kick. The new CUV also features more pronounced wheel arches: Rear arches transition into the rear bumper while the front arches extend from the large fog light housings positioned below the headlights, meant to look like air intakes. Out back, the Eclipse Cross features a rakish rear hatch and C-pillar, while LED brake lights that run across the rear glass give it a unified appearance.
The new Eclipse Cross is powered by a 1.5-liter direct-injected and turbocharged engine producing 152 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, sending power to all four wheels via Mitsubishi’s own S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) system. The S-AWC system uses antilock brakes, Active Stability Control (ASC) and Active Yaw Control (AYC) to distribute torque between the four wheels, sending driving torque to the rear wheels and between the left and right wheels via brake force. Inside, the Eclipse Cross offers a full-color head-up display, along with a 7-inch smartphone-linked infotainment screen and a dual-pane power-sliding panoramic roof.
The rear of the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross features a rakish rear hatch.
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When it comes to safety systems the Eclipse Cross will offer rear cross traffic alert, forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, a lane-departure warning system, blind-spot warning and a lane-change assist system.
The new crossover is also launching Mitsubishi Connect, a subscription-based service that uses the 4G LTE cellular modem and GPS capability to provide a voice and data connection to a call center. Similar to OnStar, this system will provide automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, roadside assistance, information assistance, stolen vehicle assistance, a mileage tracker and alarm notification. The system will also feature two emergency buttons, one for SOS emergency assistance and the other for information/roadside assistance.
The Eclipse Cross will be positioned between the two Outlander models in Mitsubishi’s lineup.
The Eclipse Cross will be offered in four trims when it goes on sale: base ES, LE, SE and the range-topping SEL.
The base ES trim will offer such convenience and safety features as a backup camera, heated mirrors, a color display screen, automatic climate control, cruise control and seven airbags. The LE trim will add 18-inch alloy wheels and black exterior trim, in addition to a 7-inch display audio system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability. The SE trim will offer a blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert and heated front seats. The range-topping SEL trim, meanwhile, will add leather seats, LED headlights, the head-up display and a multiview camera system. The Touring pack for the SEL trim will also offer a Rockford Fosgate premium audio system, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats and other convenience items.
The Eclipse Cross will go on sale in March 2018 and will start at around $24,000 for the base ES model.