Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a coupe that has been in production since 1989 for left hand drive markets. It was named after an eighteenth century English racehorse which won 26 races,[1] and has also been sold as the Eagle Talon and the Plymouth Laser captive imports through Mitsubishi Motors' close relationship with the Chrysler Corporation. Their partnership was known as Diamond-Star Motors, or DSM, and the vehicle trio through the close of the second-generation line were sometimes referred to by the DSM moniker among enthusiast circles.

As of 2009, the Eclipse is officially available in North America, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, China, South Korea, the Philippines, and Brazil.

Models

The Eclipse has undergone four distinct generations: the first two generations (1G and 2G) are closely related and share many parts, whereas the third generation (3G) is based on a new platform and most parts are incompatible with 1G and 2G Eclipses. The fourth generation (4G) Eclipse was made available in May 2005

The first generation Mitsubishi Eclipse was sold as an entry to mid-level four-cylinder sports coupe. Four trim levels were available: the bottom three were front wheel drive and the very top was all wheel drive. The top FWD and the AWD model were equipped with turbocharged engines.

The car underwent minor changes throughout its production; 1992–1994 models (1Gb) have updated sheetmetal and are easily distinguishable from previous vehicles (1Ga). The most notable of these changes is that the 1Ga models have pop-up headlights. The Eclipse was revised into a new vehicle for 1995 (described below in the 2G section).
Trim levels

The Eclipse was available in four trim levels during its first-generation production run. AWD models were not available until halfway through the first model year.

* Eclipse: Base FWD model equipped with a 92 hp naturally-aspirated engine 1.8 L 8-valve SOHC 4G37 engine
* Eclipse GS: Upgraded FWD model with slightly more equipment
* Eclipse GS DOHC: Upgraded FWD model equipped with a 135 hp (101 kW) naturally-aspirated 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC 4G63A non-turbocharged variant of the 4G63T engine**
* Eclipse GS Turbo: Top FWD model equipped with a 180-195 hp* turbocharged 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC 4G63T engine
* Eclipse GSX: AWD model equipped with a 180-195 hp* turbocharged 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC 4G63T engine

* 1990 manual transmission turbocharged models were rated at 190 hp, whereas 1991 and later manual transmission turbo models were rated for 195 hp (145 kW). The automatic models were rated at 180 hp (130 kW) due to smaller fuel-injectors and turbocharger.

** 1990-1994 DSMs did not come with the 420A engine, which was not added until the second generation.

These models varied significantly in drivetrains and available options, and included some variance in appearance, as higher trim lines added different front and rear fascia panels and surrounding trim, with the GSX model getting a notably different styling package than the others.
Drivetrain

The basic driveline layout of the Eclipse is a transverse-mounted 4-cylinder Mitsubishi 4G37 or 4G63 engine situated on the left-hand side of the car driving an automatic or manual transmission on the right-hand side. AWD models have a different transmission which includes a limited-slip center differential and output shaft for a transfer case, which drives the rear differential (also available as limited-slip) and half-shafts.

The 4G37 and 4G63 engines are both I4 gasoline engines. The 4G63 is composed of an iron engine block and aluminum cylinder head and is equipped with balance shafts for smooth operation. The turbocharged version of the 4G63 (sometimes referred to as the 4G63T) is equipped with a lower compression ratio (7.8 vs. 9.0 in the naturally aspirated version) and oil squirters under the pistons in order to better cope with the stress and extra heat caused by forced induction.

There is also a difference between rear axle/rear ends on all wheel drive models. 1990-early 1992 cars have 3 bolts attaching the axle to the wheel hub. Late 1992–1999 have larger diameter axles and attach to the hub with bigger, 4 bolt axle cups.
Awards

The Eclipse Turbo was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1989 through 1992.

1995–1999 (2G) Mitsubishi Eclipse

Overview

The second generation car maintained the market focus of the 1G car, but had a major update in styling and had different engines between trim levels. New to the line was a convertible model, the Spyder, introduced in 1996. The convertible was available in two trims: the GS and the GS-T. The first is powered by the non-turbo 4G64 engine, and the latter by the turbo 4G63 found in the GS-T (turbo) and GSX (all-wheel-drive) hardtop models. There was no convertible model powered by the Chrysler 420a.

The turbocharged engine option continued as the 4G63, but was modified for more power as compared to the previous generation (210 hp vs 195 hp). The non-turbo engine had 2 different engines depending on the market they were produced for. The US version engines were producing 140 hp, found only in the hardtop RS and GS trims, was a modified version of the Chrysler Neon engine, manufactured by Chrysler and delivered to and installed at the Diamond Star Motors facility. The Europe version engines were naturally aspirated 4G63 with 141 hp. A limited number of 2G units were delivered with a 2.4L naturally-aspirated engine provided by Mitsubishi.

The Talon was discontinued in 1998 along with the rest of the Eagle line because lack of sales over previous years, leaving only the Eclipse on sale for the 1999 model year.
[edit] Trim levels

The Eclipse was available in seven trim levels: Base[Only available in 1996.5 (mid-model year)], RS, GS, GS Spyder, GS-T, GS-T Spyder, and GSX.

Second generations (1995–99) cars:

* Eclipse: Base FWD model equipped with a 140 hp 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC Chrysler 420A engine
* Eclipse RS: Equipment Upgraded FWD model equipped with a 140 hp 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC Chrysler 420A engine
* Eclipse GS: Equipment upgraded FWD model equipped with a 140 hp (100 kW) 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC Chrysler 420A engine
* Eclipse GS Spyder: Convertible FWD model equipped with a 141 hp (105 kW) 2.4L 16-valve SOHC Mitsubishi 4G64 engine
* Eclipse GS-T: Hardtop FWD model equipped with a 210 hp (160 kW) turbocharged 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC Mitsubishi 4G63 engine
* Eclipse GS-T Spyder: Convertible FWD model equipped with a 210 hp (160 kW) turbocharged 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC Mitsubishi 4G63 engine
* Eclipse GSX: AWD model equipped with a 210 hp (160 kW) turbocharged 2.0 L 16-valve DOHC Mitsubishi 4G63 engine

The models had different trim accoutrements:

* Base - No tachometer, standard antenna, No rear defroster, no driving lights, 14" steel wheels with covers or center caps
* RS - Tachometer, 14" alloy wheels, optional spoiler
* GS - Power antenna, driving lights, cruise control, body coloured door handles, 16" alloy wheels, lower body cladding, spoiler, rear windshield washer
* GS Spyder - Power antenna, driving lights, cruise control, body coloured door handles, 16" alloy 5 spoke wheels, lower body cladding, spoiler, double tipped stainless steel exhaust
* GS-T - 16" Alloy 5 spoke wheels, Grey painted panel around lower body paneling (1995–96), larger spoiler (ONLY on 1997–99), double tipped stainless steel exhaust
* GS-T Spyder - 16" Alloy 5 spoke wheels, double tipped stainless steel exhaust
* GSX - 17" wheels after 1997, 1995–96 cars had 16" alloys, Grey painted panel around lower body paneling (1995–96), double tipped stainless steel exhaust, larger spoiler (ONLY on 1997–99),