It’s back! Mitsubishi has revitalised the Eclipse nameplate, although, this time it’s not attached to the rear end of a sporty two-door coupe. Instead, it’s stuck to the back of a new eye-catching SUV known as the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
Its angular design is quite the conversation piece with its distinctive lights flanking either side of the slim front grille. 18-inch alloys adorn each corner while the rear end plays host to dual spoiler setup and a single triangular exhaust outlet flanked by shiny underbody cladding.
As for options, customers can choose from a long list including keyless start, electric parking brake with auto hold, lane departure warning, brake assist system, paddle shifters, heads-up display and a panoramic sunroof just to name a few.
The Japanese crossover comes with a single engine unit to choose from; a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine rated at 148 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is the only optional at the moment. However, an all-wheel drivetrain is said to be on its way.
The new 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is available in eight unique colours; Sporty Blue, Diamond Red Metallic, Bronze Metallic, Polar White Solid, Titanium Grey Metallic, Sterling Silver Metallic, Amethyst Black Metallic and Silky White Metallic.
Our thoughts on the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Just before Mitsubishi’s new SUV hit the market officially, we had a chance to take it for a quick spin around the Dubai Autodrome. Although we weren’t let loose, our driving instructor bellowed instructions via radio and directed us through various “tests” to show off the SUV’s capabilities.
Starting off with a 0-100 km/h sprint, the turbocharged engine is no slouch as we were able to achieve a time under 10 seconds before heading into the next braking zone. Following the track around, we were met with a new cone arrangement to simulate a quick lane change.
Speeding towards the cones at 70 km/h, we turned sharp right and immediately left, and we thought we’d topple over, but the 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse stood its ground and continued with our passengers barely aware we just performed an evasive manoeuver.
After a few more corners, we were met with another “test”, this time a small incline with not one, but two turns. Once again, we navigated our way through with ease, and very little body roll all while the cabin remained quiet and comfortable.
Before we could test the brakes, we were once again faced with another set of bright orange cones. This time arranged single file with significant gaps between each one. Here, we were instructed to swerve from right to left and once again, the 2018 Mitsubishi Ecplise Cross kept its composure.
We were also impressed with the number of features base model versions are equipped with. We were surprised to find Bluetooth connectivity, multi-function steering wheel and automatic climate control inside our test 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross as these tend not to be included by other manufacturers.
Prices start at AED 73,395.
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