2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse

The ultimate expression of the Eclipse’s position in the import-tuning scene played out in the first movie in the Fast & Furious franchise, with the bright-green second-generation version as the show’s star. Not long afterwards, when the Eclipse was due for a redesign, the company did away with the AWD system, and installed a heavy V6 in place of the turbo-four. Talk about a letdown. The third and subsequently fourth-generation Eclipses have promised so much in terms of performance and style, but haven’t really resonated with the crowd that used to adore them.

There are two trims available, each with its own engine. The entry-level GS features a 162-hp 2.4-litre four-cylinder, starting at $20,249 with a five-speed manual or $1,000 more for a four-speed automatic. Hardly a sporting icon in the making… The majority of Eclipses are thus equipped, trading fun for relative fuel economy (20/28 mpg city/highway). The GS doesn’t make for an exciting ride because the SUV roots make it far too heavy, tipping the scales at 3,263 lb.

The $26,298 GT sounds much better on paper, with a 3.8-litre V6 producing 265 hp, and a six-speed manual transmission, while the five-speed Sportronic automatic is another grand. It’s also a good deal thirstier, showing 16/25 mpg city/highway, and demands premium fuel. The GT features standard 18-inch wheels (17-in on GS), larger rear disc brakes to offset the extra weight, and a larger rear anti-roll bar to improve handling.

Most of the attractive options are included in three main packages for both models. The $2,149 Sun & Sound package includes a one-touch power sunroof with vent feature, a nine-speaker 650-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system with a 6-CD/MP3 in-dash changer and Sirius satellite radio, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and alloy pedals.

The $3,839 Premium Sport/Accessory Package includes everything from S&S but adds heated leather seats, an eight-way-adjustable (six-way-power) driver’s seat, aluminum scuff plates, automatic climate control, heated power-adjustable side view mirrors.

And an iPod adapter is a cool $200 extra.

For those who want to attract even more attention, the Sport Aero Kit includes side-sill extensions and air dams front and rear for $1,299.

While the exterior screams for attention, the interior is much more sedate… and dated. While the overall design is ok, tall drivers will find it impossible to get comfortable behind the wheel. During my time with the Eclipse, my shins and knees were constantly pressed up on the under-dash support that runs the length of the cabin. Combine that with a seat that doesn’t lower enough and a steering wheel that doesn’t adjust enough, and you get a recipe for pain, bruises and cramps.

It affects performance too, because the Eclipse has one of the worst cases of torque-steer seen on a modern car, pulling the wheels at every opportunity, which encourages you to keep both hands on the tiller. And that proves impossible when cornering because your knees are in the way. Forget shifting properly…

The Eclipse’s handling can best be described as blunt. It’s a big, heavy car with a big, heavy engine sitting ahead of the front wheels. This isn’t like driving a Mazdaspeed3 or Chevrolet Cobalt SS where you can adjust trajectory by the nano-meter. No, you’re taking huge swaths of pavement to get the same thing accomplished. It is not an intuitive or satisfying vehicle to drive quickly.

No, the Eclipse is more about posing and posturing now, a vehicle more for those who want to look like they could go fast rather than actually doing so. For them, a better buy would be the Eclipse convertible – or Spyder in Mitsubishi speak – running from $25,949 to $30,149 in the same trim levels as the coupe. The three-layer power-folding roof raises or lowers in less than 20 seconds, and stows away cleanly beneath a hard tonneau cover. Obviously, the Spyder is even heavier than the coupe, and ultimate performance is dampened as well.

Competitors in this area are vicious. For near the same money, you could get a 300-hp Chevrolet Camaro, a V8-powered Ford Mustang GT, or a 220-hp version of Hyundai’s excellent new Genesis Coupe. For a few grand more, you’re into Nissan 370Z territory. And you can get both the Z and Mustang as convertibles as well.

Mitsubishi should just ditch the expensive versions anyway. If you want performance in a Mitsu package, you’re buying a heavenly all-wheel drive Lancer Evolution X, not a front-wheel drive, torque-steering, cramped, V6-powered Eclipse.