The Mitsubishi Eclipse coupé could be heading for Europe as a campaign builds within the company to bring the model to this side of the Atlantic. Although well received in America, the coupé has never been launched on this side of the Atlantic. However, Mitsubishi Europe representatives were at the Detroit show last month for the car’s unveiling so they could assess whether the latest model might succeed in Europe.
‘They say the Eclipse is no good for Europe, but now that I’ve seen it I’m not convinced that’s the case,’ said a Mitsubishi insider. The Eclipse is sold in the US in both coupé and cabrio form. American buyers also get a choice of either a 260bhp 3.8-litre V6 or a 2.4 four-cylinder with 165bhp. ‘The 2.4-litre is about right for Europe; the 3.8 V6 would be no good,’ said our source. As yet there is no timetable for a European decision, with the new model only arriving in US dealers towards the autumn.
This year will be a busy one for Mitsubishi. Not only is its new three-door Colt – complete with 150bhp turbocharged range-topper – being launched next month, but the company is also revealing replacements for its UK best-seller, the L200 pick-up, and the Outlander crossover vehicle. The Shogun is also being heavily revised.
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