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2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Performance Review

July 17, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

twist-free and solid, with no excessive cowl shake
Popular Mechanics

nearly drove the new Mitsubishi Eclipse GT into a parked car
Jalopnik

plenty of grunt from low engine speeds
Cars.com

This engine is supremely smooth, yet it provides a welcome mellow snarl
Road and Track

If you want true sports car handling, you may want to check out the competition, but if you want a car that looks and sounds sexy and powerful, the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse might be right for you.

Overall, the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse has the looks and sounds of a fast performance vehicle, but according to Motor Trend, "as a modern sport coupe, it's not quite there yet." Jalopnik remarks that the sexy styling and throaty purr of the engine could "seduce you into serious speed."

Popular Mechanics declares the 2009 Mitsubishi "to be twist-free and solid, with no excessive cowl shake." Cars.com reports that "the Eclipse is front-heavy and understeer is prevalent, even when off the throttle.” One test driver for Jalopnik "squeezed the gas [entering a curve] and nearly drove the new Mitsubishi Eclipse GT into a parked car."

The 3.8-liter V-6 engine produces 265 hp with a six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic. According to Motor Trend, the V-6 clocks a "0-to-60-mph acceleration time of 5.8 seconds," and Car and Driver rates the Mitsubishi Eclipse the seventh quickest car in 2007. The 2.4-liter, four-cylinder produces 162 hp when teamed with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

Conclusion

Reviewers agree that the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse offers a throaty, sexy-sounding engine with plenty of power, but handling isn't always up to the job.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:twist-free and solid, with no excessive cowl shakePopular Mechanicsnearly drove the new Mitsubishi Eclipse GT into a parked carJalopnikplenty of grunt from low engine speedsCars.comThis engine is supremely smooth, yet it provides a welcome mellow snarlRoad and Track If you want true sports car handling, you may want to check out the competition, but if you want a car that looks and sounds sexy and powerful, the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse might be right for you. Overall, the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse has the looks and sounds of a fast performance vehicle, but according to Motor Trend, "as a modern sport coupe, it's not quite there yet." Jalopnik remarks that the sexy styling and throaty purr of the engine could "seduce you into serious speed." Popular Mechanics declares the 2009 Mitsubishi "to be twist-free and solid, with no excessive cowl shake." Cars.com reports that "the Eclipse is front-heavy and understeer is prevalent, even when off the throttle.” One test driver for Jalopnik "squeezed the gas [entering a curve] and nearly drove the new Mitsubishi Eclipse GT into a parked car." The 3.8-liter V-6 engine produces 265 hp with a six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic. According to Motor Trend, the V-6 clocks a "0-to-60-mph acceleration time of 5.8 seconds," and Car and Driver rates the Mitsubishi Eclipse the seventh quickest car in 2007. The 2.4-liter, four-cylinder produces 162 hp when teamed with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. ConclusionReviewers agree that the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse offers a throaty, sexy-sounding engine with plenty of power, but handling isn't always up to the job. 2009 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE STYLING | [7 out of 10] Popular Mechanics: "open-top version was engineered to be topless from inception" Motor Trend: "the roof, dash, and door panels seem shrink-wrapped around you" Road & Track: "flair in a market in which flair sells" Motor Trend: "a ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Honda Accord Coupe is the most attractive front-drive coupe from Honda; its silky V-6 and sharp road manners are worth the premium price tag. The Hyundai Tiburon front-drive coupe gets four- or six-cylinder power and a choice of gearboxes (it's due to be replaced in 2010 with a new rear-drive Genesis coupe). The Ford Mustang has a crisp, heritage-inspired design inside and out. It comes in V-6 and V-8 versions, with manual or automatic transmission choices, and is offered as a convertible.

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See the Mitsubishi Eclipse in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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