Description
The fourth generation of the Eclipse appeared in 2005, and the carmaker waited another two years before introducing the open-top version and refreshed the lineup four years later.
With the world financial crisis gone and the market started to go up again, Mitsubishi was eager to recover the money it lost. Its spyder version was one of the vehicles that were built to get money since it used an already developed platform.
There were a few improvements that worth on the 2009 Eclipse Spyder. At the front, the big grille divided by a black element of the bumper looked like a wind-tunnel with a silver badge on it. The mesh design only accentuated that, while the bigger headlights tried to be convincing that they deserved to be on a sports roadster. On its sides, the rear quarter panels were slightly enlarged, showing a muscular line. For the rag-top, Mitsubishi developed a power-system that could cover or uncover the cabin in 19 seconds. It featured a glass rear defroster window.
Inside, the sport bucket-seats with integrated headrests featured high-bolstered sides to keep their occupants in place during high cornering. In the back, it was enough room for very small children or a few bags of shopping. The Spyder was not a sports car anymore. It was more of an affordable sporty open-top vehicle.
Under the hood, the carmaker installed front-wheel-drive powertrains with a choice of two engines. The base version featured a 2.4-liter inline-four, while the other option was a 3.8-liter V-6, too heavy for the car's front but powerful enough to get to 209 kph (130 mph). Both versions were paired to a five-speed automatic transmission.
Press Release
After it received a few minor adjustments for the 2009 model year, the Mitsubishi Spyder continues to improve for 2010: the four-cylinder Eclipse Spyder GS adopts GT styling cues, including a two-tone front and rear bumper fascias and dual exhaust outlets. For 2010 the GS version is priced at $27,799 and the GT at $32,599.
The Eclipse Spyder GS features a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 162 hp and 162 lbs-ft of torque and mated to a 4-Speed Sportronic gearbox. The GT version gets a 265-hp 3.8-liter V-6 engine mated to a 5-Speed Sportronic gearbox.
For 2010 the Eclipse GS will get Active Stability Control (ASC) as standard equipment, while both version got a rearview camera, stability control, Bluetooth and system with voice recognition and rearview camera sys
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is giving its “attainable exotic” Eclipse Spyder GS model additional styling enhancements and all models receive new technology features for 2010. The GS model will now feature restyled two-tone front and rear bumper fascias similar to the GT model. With the freshened styling also comes a deeper “voice” from an added dual exhaust system. Already equipped with a full array of proven safety technology, the Eclipse GS for 2010 gains Active Stability Control (ASC) as standard equipment. The Eclipse Spyder continues to win over customers with this unique combination of striking design, thrilling performance, high-quality convertible top and excellent value.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
The Eclipse Spyder echoes the concept-car design of its coupe sibling with sleek, taut, muscular lines and engaging details. The “attainable exotic” design of the fourth-generation Eclipse is further underscored for 2010 by the availability of a new color, Carbon. Inside, all Eclipse models now feature the hands-free Bluetooth® system with voice recognition and rearview camera system which is displayed on the rearview mirror for added safety.
Two Levels of Spyder Performance
2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine; 162 hp@6000 rpm and 162 lbs-ft @4000rpm; 3.8-liter V-6 265 hp@5750rpm and 262 lbs-ft@4500rpm
The Eclipse Spyder is offered in two trim levels. The GS model is powered by a 162-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine teamed with a 4-speed automatic transmission, and the Eclipse Spyder GT challenges more expensive sports cars with its 265-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 engine teamed with a 5-speed automatic. The GT’s 260 lb.-ft. of peak torque gives this model immediate and forceful off-the-line response. Both Eclipse automatic transmissions feature Sportronic™ console shifters to allow manual gear shift control for a more engaging driving experience. The 4-cylinder and V-6 Eclipse Spyder engines both feature the Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) system to help optimize engine efficiency and power across a broad engine speed range.
Rigid Body Structure, Sporty Chassis
Mitsubishi engineered the Eclipse platform to be built as a coupe or convertible. The rigid platform enables the four-wheel independent suspension to give the Eclipse Spyder both sporty road manners and a compliant, comfortable ride.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
The multi-link rear suspension uses either a 20-mm (GS) or 21-mm (GT) stabilizer bar. Commensurate with its higher performance potential, the Spyder GT also uses larger ventilated rear disc brakes in place of the GS model’s solid rear brake discs. The GS model is equipped as standard with 17-inch alloy wheels and 225/50R17 V-rated all-season tires; the GT model gets standard 18-inch alloy wheels, fitted with 235/45R18 V-rated all-season tires.
Exotic-Inspired, Internationally Praised Design
The Eclipse Spyder convincingly distinguishes itself from traditional, conservative or retro styling seen on some convertible sport models. With athletic fender arches, a wind tunnel-inspired front fascia and integrated rear lip spoiler, Eclipse Spyder carves out its own unique style.
Where the designs of other sport coupes and convertibles might attract attention for a brief time and then fade, the Eclipse design was recognized for its potential to endure. The Eclipse Spyder was one of two production cars to receive the GOOD DESIGN award from the renowned Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design in 2006, its debut year. (The other was the BMW Z4 coupe.) An international jury selected entries in 18 categories from 25 countrie
Perhaps most impressive about the Eclipse Spyder’s automatic top is that it folds completely out of sight under a flush-fitting powered tonneau cover in about 19 seconds. When raised, the top design gives the Eclipse a distinctive “chopped” speedster appearance. The Spyder’s top is made of cloth, compared to vinyl used on some cars in this price segment. Its advanced multi-layer construction includes a full headliner to provide the quiet, snug interior feeling of a coupe when it is raised. The top is designed to resist “ballooning” at highway speed, and the glass rear window features a defroster.
Interior Designed to be Seen
Convertible owners expect interior styling to be attractive in its own right – something to enhance pride of ownership when driving top-down. To that end, the Eclipse Spyder’s “attainable exotic” design theme continues inside. The wave-form instrument panel houses easy-to-reach controls and features distinctive motorcycle-inspired gauges and ice-blue nighttime illumination. The customer can choose from three available color schemes: Techno-Sport (charcoal), Hi-Q Sport (medium gray) and Avante Garde (terra cotta). The interior leather-wrapped steering wheel features audio system remote controls. High-back front bucket seats use open headrests for a sporty look and enhanced rear visibility.
High-Power Music Machine
Both Eclipse Spyder models feature as standard a 650-watt (max.) Rockford-Fosgate Premium Audio system with a 6-disc, in-dash CD changer that can play MP3 CDs, plus SIRIUS® Satellite Radio with a 3-month pre-paid subscription, and new for 2010, an auxiliary input jack for iPod and MP3 connections. The audio system is specifically tuned for the Eclipse Spyder and provides automatic sound equalization for top-up or top-down driving. An eight-inch subwoofer is integrated into the rear seat area as a design element.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
The PUNCH® control and Digital Signal Processor (DSP) give the user total control over the subwoofer’s “punch” level and provide custom music-genre equalization as well as sound field image settings, including: Normal, Stage, Live and Hall. A DSP sound setting memory function allows users to configure all eight DSP settings and save them in six preset locations for favorite CDs, artists, or music genres.
