Mitsubishi Eclipse test drive since 2009
Born to overshadow
Eclipse was born in 1989. I liked the elegant and high -speed sports compartment at once. But the world at that time, perhaps, was not known as the Japanese Mitsubishi Eclipse, but as the American Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser - both of these models were produced in the Diamond -Star Motors factory, which equally belonged to Mitsubishi and Chrysler corporations. Plymouth Laser stopped producing in the early 90s, and Eagle Talon is still produced in the United States. In 1994, the new generation of Eclipse was held in Japan. The stylistic concept of the car with which Mitsubishi Corporation was going to enter the third millennium was the quintessence of the ideas of many designers who took part in Car Styling’s corporation and the magazine at the very end of the 80s of the competition, the task of which was to determine promising trends in the appearance of sports car of the XXI century. Naturally, the participants were proposed as a starting point Eclipse ...
Before us - a new generation eclipse compartment, 1997 of the model year, with a two -liter engine - the most modest car in the family. The brothers have engines with turbocharged, all -wheel drive, there is another outerwear - a convertible body. But against their background, a modest compartment looks great. Low - a little less than 1300 mm - and a new eclipse that has been width at 55 mm in the front makes the impression of not even a car, but a special apparatus for high -speed movement in dense layers of the atmosphere. There are no protruding parts on the surface of the body, it seems that its front part is formed by an oncoming air stream. This sensation is enhanced by elongated drop -shaped headlights and a narrow gap of the air intake with fog lights along the edges. The air flow did its job on the sidewalls of the body, gracefully bending the outer panels of the rear rack of the roof, forming a third door with glass, which opens access to the trunk.
At the back, the bumper, which is very high integrated into the body, is attracted to the back, which is disturbed by the neckline for a license plate, similar to the front air intake. Triangular lights are installed on the sides of the room. A narrow ribbon from blocks of lighting equipment and a reflective panel with the inscription Eclipse passes along the upper edge of the bumper. Above it, a spoiler rises in the entire width of the body, forming one whole with a lugbag door. The loading height is quite large, and access to the trunk is inconvenient, but Eclipse was not created at all for cargo transportation. 
Under the hood, a power unit consisting of a 16-valve engine with two upper distributions and a 5-speed manual gearbox with a cable switch mechanism, which has recently become more popular, has been translated. On the left on the hood there is a growth that creates an additional space for an intermediate boost cooler for modifications with a turbocharger. In general, the engineering space is well combined and gives the impression of thoughtfulness and completeness. The suspension of all wheels is independent, on transverse levers. The lower one is a combination of longitudinal and transverse rods, and the upper one is stiff triangular.
Stabilizers are present in front and behind. Disk brakes on all wheels with a drum parking brake in the hub of the rear brake disk. There are also ABS.
The door without the upper frame opens widely, opening the opening of the sizes impressive for such a machine. Through it, it can be relatively easily penetrated into the back seat, pressing a small pedal at the base of the front and throwing his back. The landing at the driver's place was quite convenient due to the presence of longitudinal adjustment of the seat, two separate adjustments of the pillow height, the variable tilt of the back with a varyed lumbar support and the steering column adjustable in height. If tall people are located in front, you won’t envy the rear seats passengers, but the children are enough for children, and adults, unless, of course, their growth goes beyond the average, they will accommodate in any row with comfort.
Review of the driver's place does not cause complaints, and external rear -view mirrors with remote electrical adjustment give comprehensive information about what is happening from the back. However, due to the increased height and massiveness of the eclipse stern, when reversing, you have to show increased attention. Especially when parking. Nevertheless, you feel the dimensions of the car as soon as you are driving - unnecessary proof of the success of the layout of the cabin and the driver's workplace. There is a pleasant feeling of unity with the machine, allowing you to immediately confidently move in a dense traffic flow. This is also facilitated by the convenient, the location of the car control bodies, consistent with the requirements of engineering psychology.
The pedals are characterized by a small and elastic move, which makes it possible to determine exactly which of the working conditions are accountable actuators. To the left of the clutch pedal is a small area to which you can move your leg while moving in constant speed mode.
The short lever of the gearbox is in its place, the transmission obediently and easily follows the teams of the hand. I was pleased with this detail: a small distance between the lever and the steering wheel allows you to quickly transfer the palm from one to another. In general, when you get behind the wheel, it begins to seem that Eclipse, as it were, envelops you. The sensation is only enhanced by the form of a torpedo, smoothly turning into the central console, on which the air defense system controls with the air conditioner and the place for the installation of musical equipment are located, the choice of which is determined by the owner of the machine. Acoustic systems have already been installed, also waiting for an antenna with an electric drive.
The steering wheel switches respond to the latest ergonomic trends and have rotary tips: the left lever controls the outer light, the right - the operating mode of the wipers. On a steering wheel with a leather upholstery rim, a pillow is mounted that does not interfere with seeing analog type. At the doorway, airbags and anti -jet power tubular elements are also installed that reduce the consequences of side clashes.
After studying the salon, of course, I want to check the car in the case. The key takes its place in the ignition lock, which after closing the driver's door is highlighted for a while. Turning the key - and the engine earned with an even deaf hum hum. After a few seconds, control and diagnostic oil pressure lamps and ABS - Eclipse are ready to move. The first gear turned on easily, and now we are already going, gaining speed and switching gear with such ease, as if the car has long been familiar to us. The lever move is short enough to control the box with soft movements of the hand. The dynamics of acceleration pleases in the entire speed range: both with a sharp start and with high -speed maneuvering in the stream. The engine demonstrates sufficient elasticity, allowing only occasionally to switch to a reduced gear. In the cabin, it is still quiet, only the sound of the engine, from the street, the sound of the exhaust, but it does not annoy, but, on the contrary, adds sharpness to the sensation of speed at increased speeds.
The car is installed on the car, adjusting its work to the speed of movement and the corner of rotation of the wheels. The latter turned out when when parking the wheels were in one of the extreme provisions, and the amplifier in the voice declared himself. However, when moving, it does not appear: the steering wheel turned out to be unexpectedly sharp and moderately sensitive. The passage of turns has been enjoyed for a long time. At all stages of movement in the arc Mitsubishi Eclipse, it shows a commendable obedience, the steering wheel and the gas pedal at any time can be made adjustments to the trajectory of movement. The suspension allows insignificant rolls in corners, while you can increase the speed without fear of the late start of sliding out of turn (even if it has a negative bias). The marked rigidity of the suspension for a car that is not a family sedan is quite normal. Small bumps of the road are absorbed by tires in size of 205/60R15, and obstacles are larger lead to light, almost imperceptible shocks.
The brakes did not cause protests or hostility, everything works properly, as it should be such a dynamic car. In the same way, not a single word of criticism caused outdoor lighting devices. By the way, when driving in the dark, fog lights turned out to be helping to protect the night ride. 
Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 2.0 16V left a pleasant impression with its integrity and versatility. This car can cope with equal success with the role of a car for each day, allowing you to relax at the wheel, and with the role of a reliable speed vehicle that gives a feeling of freedom and independence from tiring urban traffic jams and slowness of the traffic flow. You can be sure - Eclipse will not let you down. Unless, of course, do not lose his head from the opportunities that this car provides its owner.
Sergey Ivanov
Source: Motor magazine [No. 11/1997]