The Eclipse is a comfortable coupe. Headroom is limited, however, so drivers over six-feet tall may find it a bit confining. Some drivers find the cockpit-like foot well a bit uncomfortable. Others like the jet fighter school of interior design. The switchgear is canted in toward the driver and the Eclipse features a nice set of gauges that are easy to read.
The wrinkly leather seats are fashionable and comfortable. But we prefer the nice cloth that comes standard on the GS-T.
Visibility is limited. The tall rear spoiler reduces rearward visibility, particularly when backing up at night. Out front it's better, but the gun-turret windshield doesn't offer the panoramic view found in the Honda Prelude. The payoff for the tight quarters is big in terms of performance, however.
Acceleration performance, handling, and braking are phenomenal and the Eclipse scores a thumbs-up on all fronts. The GS-T offers the most entertaining combination in the Eclipse line with the turbocharged engine, 5-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T accelerates from 0-60 miles per hour in about 6.5 seconds. That's quicker than a Honda Prelude, Acura Integra GS-R and pretty much every other car in its class. All that raw power going through the front wheels makes it fun to drive and, on a dry race track, it's faster than the heavier GSX. Torque steer, the force that tugs at the steering wheel of front-drive cars under hard acceleration, is present in the GS-T, but it is manageable. It can be eliminated by ordering either the all-wheel-drive GSX or the less-powerful GS or an automatic transmission. We prefer to simply drive the GS-T accordingly.
With 214 foot-pounds of torque available at just 3000 rpm, the engine provides smooth, linear acceleration around town. Keep the throttle down and the turbo spools up and suddenly pressures the engine into turning out 210 horsepower. A whoosh of rushing air accompanies a blast of acceleration. The standing quarter-mile is covered in just over 15 seconds and 100 mph is reached in 18.5 seconds.
The Eclipse GS-T is nimble and precise when blasting down twisty roads. Speed-sensitive steering subtly decreases the power-assist as engine speed increases -- resulting in more easier steering at low speeds and better road feel at high speeds.
The suspension is fully independent with coil springs front and rear. The Eclipse uses a multi-link design that keeps the tires perpendicular to the road, whether cornering, braking, accelerating or traveling over rough pavement, so the tires maintain firm, consistent grip. Front and rear anti-roll bars reduce body lean in corners for sharp handling. Specially calibrated gas-charged shock absorbers improve the GS-T's grip in bumpy corners by keeping the tires in contact with the road. Mash the throttle when exiting a turn and the Eclipse shoots out like a cannon.
Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS make stopping quick and uneventful. The Eclipse GS-T stops at least as quick, if not quicker, than a Prelude or Integra GS-R.
The all-wheel-drive GSX has the additional advantage of offering incredible grip and road holding in slippery conditions, whether those conditions be rain, snow, ice, mud, sand or wet leaves. Even on dry pavement, the GSX is easier to drive fast than the GS-T. The all-wheel-drive system on the GSX features a center differential and viscous coupling with a limited-slip rear differential. When the GSX encounters slippery conditions, power is automatically apportioned to the wheels with the best traction. All of this happens seamlessly as the driver rockets around a corner in control. The GSX comes standard with a leather interior, 17-inch wheels and a long list of features, which boosts its price to $27,055.