Today, living a new reality, as part of what is one of the largest car groups in the world — the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance — the Japanese brand inaugurates a new phase. Four years after showing its latest novelty, Mitsubishi presents an entirely new car, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
A model that marks the beginning of a new era and the end of another. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is the latest model of the brand without Alliance influence. Let's meet him?
Platform and design
Based on the same platform as the Outlander, but shortened, stiffer and lighter, thanks to the use of new construction solutions, Eclipse Cross seeks to play, at the same time, on two boards, placing itself on the border of the C-SUV segment and D-SUV, thanks to a length of almost 4.5 meters, with close to 2.7 m of wheelbase. Measures that, even so, the Japanese model ends up disguising, thanks not only to a body height of almost 1.7 m, but mainly the result of an aesthetic that, apart from personal tastes, hides its real dimensions.
At the front we find lines identical to the Outlander, so it is at the rear, sculpted and with the split rear window (Twin Bubble Design) that we ended up finding the greatest stylistic differentiation.
Inside
The elevated riding position is the first element that sticks out as you step inside the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. The quality of materials and assembly is in a good plan.
In terms of technological solutions, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is equipped with a traditional instrument panel and a touchscreen highlighted at the top of the dashboard — more attractive to the eye than properly functional. To control this system, we also have a touchpad whose operation also requires getting used to.
Equipment and space are assets
The provision of standard equipment is a good plan. The base version (Intense) has LED daytime running lights and fog lights, 18” alloy wheels, rear spoiler, tinted rear windows, Cruise Control, speed limiter, keyless system, parking sensors with rear parking camera, bi-zone air conditioning, Head-Up Display, plus light and rain sensors. Without forgetting, in the field of safety, the presence of advantages such as the frontal collision mitigation system, lane deviation alert, stability and traction control, and the tire pressure monitoring system. He arrives?….In terms of space, the rear seats offer a sufficient share of living space, yet headroom could be more — body shapes make a heavy toll in this regard. And because the rear seat has longitudinal adjustment, there is also the possibility of achieving some gains in luggage capacity. Which offers 485 l (two-wheel drive version) with the rear seats extended as far forward as possible.
Lively motor for light set...
Alive and dispatched. The engine 1.5 T-MIVEC ClearTec 163hp at 5500rpm and 250Nm of torque between 1800 and 4500rpm , will be the only engine available in Portugal at the moment. A very pleasant engine to use, especially when combined with the six-speed manual gearbox — a CVT gearbox is available as an option.
Dynamically, the chassis behaves very frankly. The steering is light but has good assistance, and despite the good ground clearance the body movements are well controlled by the firm suspension — which is still reasonably comfortable. We tested the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross on ice in Norway and soon we'll tell you all the sensations here at Reason Car.
From 29,200 euros, but with a discount
launch campaign
In this launch phase, the importer decided to launch Eclipse Cross with a discount campaign, based on slaughter and credit. This starts at 26 700 euros for the Eclipse Cross 1.5 Intense MT, 29 400 euros for the 1.5 Instyle MT, 29 400 euros for the Intense CVT and 33 000 euros for the Instyle 4WD CVT.
In this initial phase, it is only available with a gasoline engine, although already with the promise of a diesel engine (derived from the well-known 2.2 DI-D) towards the end of the year, in addition to a PHEV version (also here identical to the one of the Outlander) at the end of 2019.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross arrives in Portugal with prices starting at 29,200 euros for the 1.5 Intense version with front-wheel drive and manual gearbox. With a CVT automatic box, the price rises to 33 200 euros.
Opting for the Instyle equipment level, prices start at €32,200 (manual gearbox) and €37,000 (CVT), although the latter is only available with permanent all-wheel drive (4WD).
Finally, two more good news: first, a general warranty of five years or 100,000 km (whichever comes first); the second, the promise that the front-only Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will pay no more than Class 1 at tolls.