People were saying this when i bought my first mitsu back in 2000. They are still here today, though not in an type of presence that they use to. I'm sure 10 years from now they will still be here. Think Hyandai. If they play thier cards right, they can become something bigger.

 

The Eclipse has always been built on the midsize Galant chassis and the problem is that midsize cars are now way bigger than they were in the early 90's. The Eclipse needs to go smaller and that means base it on the Lancer platform and give it the option of AWD like the original DSM's which would be simple and cost effective. As for the Galant it needs a higher quality interior and an aggressive appearance to separate it from the competition.

 

I couldn't agree more. I would assume that mitsu is trying to keep with the other manufacturers by supplying the rallyart, being a small four door pocket rocket. They went wrong by only offering an auto. I think if they bring in a small awd turbo coupe, they will have a heads up on the competition and basically bring back a well needed segment that they invented two decades ago.

 

now a days it would seem like Mitsu is doing pretty good. im sure the lancer is the top selling mitsu and i see quite a few Eclipses around. i wuold think of o getting rid of the outland or the galant. the evos will always sell. and i agree with the post above. about a year ago when i was talking with a guy from Mitsu about some parts. he said they were thinking about making an Eclipse Ralliart. which would be turbo and AWD. which i think is exactly what mitsu needs right..i just dont think they are willing to take the risk for the newer gen eclipes to break out of that "girl car" reputation that the new eclipses have brought up

 

the Evo8/9 kept Mitsu alive for a long time... but with the X and the down economy, who know...

 

they have an obligation to their customers they can not just up and move out of the country and leave all mitsu customers hanging !

 

well they have the eclipse ra concept. i saw it at MOD last year. not sure if it's awd, i thought i remember reading that but i forgot :-/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlM8ya4vMpQ

 

OMG... Ok I don't like two door cars, but that is definitely one I would consider. That car is very very sick! RWD or AWD... I'd like to have that car .

 

it was prety cool car when i saw it in person.

 

Wow, that is awesome looking. Let's just hope it isn't FWD

 

Actually, this aircraft was so good that the only way we could fght it was to use a 2:1 ratio even with our preier fighters such as the Corsair and Hellcat.

That combined with the fact that we killed their experienced pilots was the only way we could successfully engage the A6M.

Speaking of Eclipse, what happened to the Hybrid with combined 450hp that was supposed to be released?

Is tis the direction of the next gen Evo?

I saw Mitsu SUVs in Iraq that were very hot. Lowered and fast. If I could get one here in the US I would own one-

 

I live in Normal IL near one of the Mitsu plants. They are down to 1 shift now.

 

I hope not, cause we'd all be screwed out of our warranties. And that spells doom on a car maker that doesn't exactly make the most sturdy or reliable of cars.

The rumor's been floating around for a while now, I just was never sure of its validity.

 

2 dr vs 4 dr. a HUGE difference. people buy lancers because they're practical. people buy eclipses because they're fun. well guess what? the lancer is still practical but the eclipse is no longer fun.

in terms of mitsu's lineup, you can think of the eclipse as a lancer coupe with more sport, maybe more luxury, less economy/practicality if need be. it should be... GASP... a sportscar!!!

and THAT is the problem. people/kids/the gran turismo generation do NOT give a flying f*ck about the eclipse anymore!!! go back 15 years and tell me the eclipses of old didnt have street cred.... what was the car paul walker originally had in fast and furious as an undercover cop? eclipse... it WAS a great car. people DID want one. NOW its crap due to POOR product planning and even WORSE exterior design...

nowadays the evo is the one 13 yo boys have wet dreams over. is that to say a ecplise GSX would change that? no. the evo should always be the halo car that showcases new and better turbo and AWD tech. but the eclipse GSX should be a good alternative. with SPORTIER intentions that the sedan based lancer platform simply cannot offer. should it be faster? no. but whose to say it shouldnt be AS fast? or more torquey? offer something a little different that the sedan based evo cannot. like a convertible option. a GOOD convertible option.

 

An AWD Eclipse with a 2.4L 4b12 turbo engine would set it apart enough.