RE: Mitsubishi to import US_only coupé?
Thursday 3rd February 2005
Mitsubishi to import US-only coupé?
But Europe may get small engined version
Autocar this week reports that Mitsubishi could be about to import its Eclipse coupé into Europe. It's previously been a US-only model. Mitsu representatives are reported as saying that, "They say the Eclipse is no good for Europe, but now that I’ve seen it I’m not convinced that’s the case."
The car is sold in the US as both a coupé and a cabriolet. Engines consist of either a 260bhp 3.8-litre V6 or a 165bhp 2.4 four-cylinder mill. Amazingly, it looks as if the European version -- if it happens -- will only get the smaller engine. A Mitsu insider is reported as saying that, "The 2.4-litre is about right for Europe; the 3.8 V6 would be no good."
Discussion
I think they'd be better off sticking the Evo technology under it. The last thing the market needs is another FWD coupe, but the 4WD turbo-nutter hardware underneath this thing, rather than the pig-ugly Evo series would make it a real contender.
2.4 and 3.8 are very 'American' engine sizes. Where British cars have 1.8-2.0 litres, Americans seem to have to resort to 2.2-2.6 to summon anything like the same power (and of course they're heavier), whilst a 3.8-litre V6 would put out the same kind of power our 3-litres would do.
I like it, but not with those engines.
2.4 and 3.8 are very 'American' engine sizes. Where British cars have 1.8-2.0 litres, Americans seem to have to resort to 2.2-2.6 to summon anything like the same power (and of course they're heavier), whilst a 3.8-litre V6 would put out the same kind of power our 3-litres would do.
I like it, but not with those engines.
The boy racer inside me is saying. 17's with a VR4 set up. That will get people buying it. The Evo lump may be going a little too far.
They had one in the 2F & 2F. They should have brought the Mk1 over here (the green one out of the first film). That car was very pretty.
The risk mitsu would be taking is to introduce a car like the Honda coupe. No real guts as standard. They need to introduce a 1.8 Dohc with about 160bhp and then a phat 250-300bhp v6 or 4cyl turbo.
How frustrating!!
They had one in the 2F & 2F. They should have brought the Mk1 over here (the green one out of the first film). That car was very pretty.
The risk mitsu would be taking is to introduce a car like the Honda coupe. No real guts as standard. They need to introduce a 1.8 Dohc with about 160bhp and then a phat 250-300bhp v6 or 4cyl turbo.
How frustrating!!
Philbob, the green car in the first fast and the Furious film was a second generation Eclipse.
As for this new version, having seen it in the flesh, I think it looks great. The beauty is in the flesh, you have to look at some details closely to appreciate them.
Strangely, at the press launch I was at, I asked Mitsu execs if this car will be sold in Europe, and they said 'no, its a bit to big for the European market'. Strange now I read this bit of news today.
As for the arguement regarding fitting Evo mechanicals in it, I asked them about that too. Unfortunately, they have no plans to do that. Drats.
As for this new version, having seen it in the flesh, I think it looks great. The beauty is in the flesh, you have to look at some details closely to appreciate them.
Strangely, at the press launch I was at, I asked Mitsu execs if this car will be sold in Europe, and they said 'no, its a bit to big for the European market'. Strange now I read this bit of news today.
As for the arguement regarding fitting Evo mechanicals in it, I asked them about that too. Unfortunately, they have no plans to do that. Drats.
smele said:
To be honest, I did wonder at first why it was not sold in Europe, but after driving one, it's pretty clear that is would not be up to most peoples expectations of a Mitsubishsi product. It's very American, poor handling, poor performance and poor design, but a fantastic price.
Agreed - I had a convertible eclipse as a rental car and was very much looking forward to driving a Japanese car instead of the usual American rubbish you get from the big rental agenies. I loved the look of car, and still do.
HUGE dissapointment though - it's made in America for Americans and has they same kind of poor suspension, heavy weight and lazy auto gearbox as all the other cars I rented there. The convertible also was poor back seats - only suitable for kids or adults with no legs.
I'd be interested in checking out the twin turbo with a manual box though, and pray that the handling was spruced up to match.
Dickster said:
Didn't we have this same thing with the FTO?
They saw after a million had been imported that it may be a good idea to sell it over here, just as it was on it's last legs?
Why don't they do it with us in mind from the start?
Because we're part of Europe, and that means we have loads of well made German cars, tonnes of badly made French cars, and enough British and Italian cars for those with a bit of taste, that they feel their cars don't really stand much chance.
The UK has taken to Japanese cars well; Nissan, Honda, and Toyota both do well over here. But they had to build plants in the UK in order to get that foot in the door.
When you look at the Mitsubishi track record in the UK they don't really do that well:
The EVO is now a well known car throught Eruope, but thought of as ugly and a car only for boy-racers with too much money.
The Shoguns used to sell well, but aren't doing so great lately with the range being so heavily competed for.
Some incarnations of the Galant do well, but depriciate like a lead balloon.
The Carisma has none, and is built very badly.
The Colt is trying to make a comeback, but probably won't.
The last time you though of buying a car, did you think of what MMC were offering in that range, and realise it was over-priced, souless, and not as well made of it's peers?
Couple that to how badly the MMC are doing at the moment, I don't blame them for not taking risks with new cars design for one demographic in a different one.
The US has lots of cheap fuel, even if they don't realise it. They also have HUGE expanses of straight road to tour along. This car was made as said before, by American's, for American's.
And that's fine by me. All they need to do it tune the chassis, suspension, breaks, engines, and interior to fit the European environment, then make it rwd... I'd think about buying one over a 350z, maybe.
>> Edited by ninjadave on Friday 4th February 09:06
philbob said:
They should have brought the Mk1 over here (the green one out of the first film). That car was very pretty.
Not wishing to sound like an anorak, but that was a Mk2. I had a Mk1 when I lived in San Diego. Same engine as the early Evos I believe, but as has been said, smaller and a bit better looking. The Mk2 was a great looking car, but they really lost it with the Mk3, which was hideous. This new one (Mk4?) looks a bit like they've gone back to the Mk2 styling, which is good.
This is excellent news - but I think they should look at importing the bigger engine. Think this one also comes in an auto mode as well.
There is a real gap in the market for a sports coupe (or convertible) with genuine performance with a decent auto box. Not a problem for all you ablebodied guys out there - but for those who have knee problems, an auto box is the only choice in traffic.
I bought an FTO as it gave me decent performance (0-60 in 7.2 seconds) with a tiptronic box. Excellent for an everyday car. Most of the competition was offering about 10 seconds for the 0-60 time.
Criples want to have fun too
There is a real gap in the market for a sports coupe (or convertible) with genuine performance with a decent auto box. Not a problem for all you ablebodied guys out there - but for those who have knee problems, an auto box is the only choice in traffic.
I bought an FTO as it gave me decent performance (0-60 in 7.2 seconds) with a tiptronic box. Excellent for an everyday car. Most of the competition was offering about 10 seconds for the 0-60 time.
Criples want to have fun too
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