If you were a teenager in the 1990s, there’s a good chance you wanted to own a Mitsubishi Eclipse. More than likely, it was the Eclipse Spyder that caught your eye and teased you with thoughts of sun-soaked road trips and the admiration of all your friends.
“One day,” you thought, “I’ll own one of those cars.”
Who wouldn’t want that sleek sports car with exotic looks and an affordable price tag?
The Eclipse was one of my teenage dream cars. However, if the 1995 me jumped ahead to 2017 and read about Mitsubishi’s plans for the Eclipse, the old me would be beside himself.
“They’re doing WHAT to the Eclipse?”
Yes, they’re turning it into a crossover. Because why not? Crossovers are what people want right now, and retro names are always popular. What could go wrong with creating the crossover everyone wants and naming it after a car that everyone wanted?
Mitsubishi said on Tuesday that the new vehicle will be called the Eclipse Cross, effectively combining the name of the old coupe with the newer, ever-popular crossover segment. The company has also promised that the vehicle’s design will be as stunning as an actual eclipse. Like this:
AutoNews quoted the automaker:
“The Eclipse Cross’s beautiful, dynamic form serves to bring about the same sense of excitement and inspiration as the diamond ring seen immediately before and after a total solar eclipse does,” the Japanese carmaker said. The new vehicle’s high-saturation red body color, Mitsubishi added, will evoke the brilliance of the sun’s halo flaring from behind the moon.
Okay then. Clearly Mitsubishi wants to distract us from the notion that the Eclipse as we once knew it will never come back. Instead, we’re given a grown-up version that makes way more practical sense but that causes the teenager within to moan with displeasure, roll over, and go back to sleep.
The Eclipse Cross will make its official debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.
Would you rather buy a new Eclipse Cross or a retro Eclipse coupe?
-tgriffith
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I own a 2008 Eclipse Spyder that only as 28,000 miles on it. It’s my baby and every time I drive it, people stop me and ask “What is that?” It’s beautiful! You made a mistake by discontinuing this model. I would buy a new one in a heartbeat.
This is the first vehicle ive been excited about in a LONG time…i currently drive a 2002 Eclipse w 157000 …its been a great car. We’re going to the KC Auto Show this Spring to see first, then will start the comparison shopping w Nissan and Subaru….would love to see/hear your opinion on the Eclipse Cross.