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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Money & Work • Automobile

Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Mitsubishi Eclipse was a compact sports coupe and later convertible produced by Mitsubishi from the 1990 to 2012 model years.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

The Mitsubishi Eclipse was a compact sports coupe and later convertible produced from 1990 to 2012. It was developed through the Diamond Star Motors joint venture with Chrysler and became known for its sporty styling, turbocharged variants, and available all-wheel drive.

What it is

The Eclipse was a sport compact car sold primarily as a two-door coupe, with a convertible added later. It spanned four generations and was built in Normal, Illinois, alongside the Plymouth Laser and Eagle Talon. Performance trims like the GSX offered turbocharged engines and all-wheel drive.

Why it matters

The Eclipse was a notable entry in the affordable performance coupe market of the 1990s and 2000s. It became a favourite among Canadian car enthusiasts and used-car buyers, reflecting the broader import-sport compact trend in North America.

Key details

Production ended after the 2012 model year as Mitsubishi shifted focus to other segments. The Eclipse name was later reused for the Eclipse Cross, a crossover SUV that is a different vehicle type.

In short

  • Produced from 1990 to 2012 across four generations.
  • Offered as a coupe and convertible, with turbo and AWD options.
  • Developed through the Chrysler-Mitsubishi Diamond Star Motors joint venture.
  • Discontinued after 2012; Eclipse Cross is a separate model.
Canadian angle

The Eclipse was sold mainly in North America and became part of the broader import-sport compact market that also influenced Canadian car enthusiasts and used-car buyers.

Quick questions

What type of vehicle was the Mitsubishi Eclipse?
It was a sport compact car, primarily sold as a two-door coupe and later also as a convertible.
Was the Eclipse available with all-wheel drive?
Yes, some performance-oriented versions, such as GSX trims, offered all-wheel drive.
Is the Mitsubishi Eclipse the same as the Eclipse Cross?
No. The Eclipse Cross is a later Mitsubishi crossover SUV that uses the Eclipse name but is a different vehicle.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Eclipse
    Supports: Model years, four generations, sport compact classification, general production history
  2. Cars.com — https://www.cars.com/research/mitsubishi-eclipse/
    Supports: Introduction as a 1990 sporty two-door coupe and discontinuation after 2012
  3. Mitsubishi Motors Canada — https://www.mitsubishi-motors.ca/en/what-drives-us/eclipse-history
    Supports: Four generations, North American sport compact positioning, trim levels, discontinuation
  4. Car and Driver — https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g15086474/turn-around-total-eclipse-of-the-mitsubishi/
    Supports: Assembly in Normal, Illinois; turbocharged variants; early history
  5. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Eclipse
    Supports: Diamond Star Motors context and production in Normal, Illinois
  6. Birmingham Mitsubishi — https://www.birminghammitsubishi.com/cc-mitsubishi-eclipse-history-and-evolution-in-birmingham-al/
    Supports: Eclipse vs. Eclipse Cross distinction