The Star: April 15, 2021

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40 The Star Thursday April 15 2021
Bright spot in Mitsubishi’s SUV range
I WAS PICKING up Mitsubishi’s
new Eclipse Cross from the
dealership and entered into
conversation with one of the
members from the friendly sales
team.
After being shown around the
car, I mentioned that it seemed
too soon for the mid-size sport
utility vehicle to undergo a generation
change. In reply I was told
the old model had been around
for three years and, although time
has obviously escaped me, that is
indeed correct.
To say the Eclipse Cross is
all new isn’t strictly so, there
are many elements that are
carryovers, yet the popular SUV
has had some dramatic changes
that enhance its usability and
driveability. For one, it’s bigger –
14cm longer in fact – and most of
that has gone into the rear of the
model, increasing load and rear
passenger space.
While the engine hasn’t been
altered in design, there have
been improvements to make it
quieter and more responsive. It
also drives out of a new all-corner
power proportioning system.
Well, it’s not new either, but
it is new to Eclipse Cross, see
it’s much the same system that
Mitsubishi has used in its Lancer
Evolution models and the old V6-
powered Outlander.
The Super All Wheel Control
system is advanced and can be
seen largely as a safety system,
ROOMY: The new Eclipse Cross is longer than the previous
model, most of the length has gone into the rear section.
MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS: Generation change for 2021.
it also has modes for snow and
gravel that can be selected at will
by the driver.
Of course, not all Eclipse Cross
variants have four-wheel-drive, the
four-model range starts at $35,990
for a front-drive only model,
there’s also a high-spec VRX frontdriver
at $41,990. The four-wheeldrive
range starts at $37,990 for
the XLS, the evaluation car was
the high spec VRX at $43,990, and
it is chock full of goodies.
Items such as leather trim
(heated seats front and rear),
head-up display, dual-zone climate
control, active cruise control with
speed limiter, keyless entry and ignition,
electric sunroof (dual) and
paddle-shift eight-step automatic
transmission are all fitted.
It’s fair to say the controls have
all been simplified as well, gone is
the old centre console mouse-like
device, the new Eclipse Cross has
a touch screen display which has
large icons for easy understanding
and operation.
Now at 4.5m the Eclipse Cross
has a spacious in-cabin environment;
the seats are beautifully
supportive and comfortable,
while rear seat head and leg room
is appropriate, the latter not
compromised by that healthy rear
load space area – up to 405-litres
of storage can be contained there,
stretching to 672-litres with the
rear seats folded. Bear in mind,
though, it is a five-seater only.
At the other end sits a turbocharged
four-cylinder engine of
1499cc. If you are thinking that it
would be underwhelming, you’ll
be largely surprised, and take
into account that’s the direction
Honda has gone with its CRV,
the capacity and outputs are very
similar.
The Eclipse Cross’ unit is stateof-the-art
in terms of design, and
it has healthy figures to support
that statement. Mitsubishi claims
112kW and 254Nm power outputs,
the latter realised flat across the
torque curve spreading from
2000rpm to 3500rpm. If you add
in its pairing to a continuously
variable automatic transmission,
then the ingredients are in place for
a smooth transition of power and
responsive throttle application.
Drive through the CVT is
seamless, that’s an area Mitsubishi
has long persevered with, and
that background has certainly
helped with its application mated
to a turbocharged engine, the
result is a free-flowing spread of
power, and good economy and
performance figures.
The Eclipse Cross is rated with
a combined cycle average of
7.7-litre per 100km. On a long
high-country journey I had no
problem meeting Mitsubishi’s
fuel usage claim with the readout
constantly listing at 8.2l/100km,
which was helped by a walletfriendly
6l/100km instantaneous
figure sitting at a steady 100km/h,
• Price – Mitsubishi Eclipse
Cross VRX, $43,990
• Dimensions – Length,
4545mm; width, 1805mm;
height, 1685mm
• Configuration – Fourcylinder,
four-wheel-drive,
1499cc, 112kW, 254Nm,
continuously variable
automatic
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 9sec
• Fuel usage – 7.7l/100km
the engine loping over very relaxed
at just 1800rpm.
In terms of acceleration, the
Eclipse Cross will cut out a standstill
to 100km/h time of 9sec, and
it will power through a highway
overtake (80-120km/h) in 6.8sec,
using the paddle shifters to keep
the engine singing happily in its
peak power zone. These are all
impressive figures which would
make a buyer quite happy with
his/her purchase.
The Eclipse Cross is also rather
tidy when it comes to tackling a
tricky corner or two. I took the
evaluation car through the hilly
back roads beneath the Malvern
Hills between Sheffield and
Coalgate, those roads are partly
unsealed and I was keen to get the
feel of the SWAC system working
beneath. However, what happens
when grip is low is that all the
unseen elements kick in and the
driver is quite oblivious as to how
that system is working for you.
On seal the Eclipse Cross has
purposeful steering, the weighting
is near perfect and there is
solid communication as to how
the rubber is reacting to the road
surface. The tyres are a Toyo
brand (225/55 x 18in) and they
send strong messages through the
steering system so that the driver
is fully aware of how the entire
car is reacting under cornering
pressure. Body movement is low
and suspension control is high.
It must also be said the Eclipse
Cross moves through the air
quietly, the ride is controlled,
generating a level of comfort not
often found in a mainstream,
cost-friendly SUV.
Mitsubishi are well pleased
with their performance over the
last year or two. They have a vast
product range that hasn’t been
overly affected by supply issues
due to Covid-19.
What’s more, another high-profile,
new-generation model is due
soon – the Outlander. It and the
Eclipse Cross will dovetail nicely
in the marketplace, while sales of
the evergreen ASX continue to
tick over.
Any Mitsubishi buyer will be
pleased with the purchase, the
product is affordable and high
in quality. There is also peace of
mind, the Eclipse Cross gets a 10-
year driveline warranty.
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