The Mitsubishi Eclipse began life as an iconic Japanese sports car coupé in the 1980s, but is now an MPV/SUV with sleeker lines, now available in a 100% electric version… the French way!
The Mitsubishi Eclipse was launched in the late 1980s. At the time, it was a racy coupé with a power output of up to 200 bhp, much appreciated by car modifiers and other DIY enthusiasts. The 1995 version of the little Japanese car even had the luxury of becoming a film star, driven by Paul Walker in the Fast and Furious saga, sporting a bright green livery and a few vitamins under the bonnet. The coupé also scored a number of victories on the racetrack and in rallies. But in 2017, at Geneva, to everyone’s surprise and at the height of the SUV boom, Mitsubishi unveiled the Eclipse Cross. And in this case, ‘Cross’ doesn’t evoke any racing spirit, but rather ‘crossover’, because it’s… an SUV! And the aim? To win back the hearts of European consumers with a hybrid family car, while retaining a legendary name. In 2025, the diamond manufacturer will be taking a new step forward, as the Eclipse Cross hybrid will disappear in favour of a 100% electric version that bears a striking resemblance to another automotive icon, this time a French one.
A Japanese SUV… made in France
The Eclipse Cross looks (really) a lot like the Scénic. And why is that? Because, it’s no secret, it’s the fruit of a marriage of convenience: the industrial alliance between Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi. As a result, the Japanese manufacturer’s new electric SUV will be made… in France! In Douai, to be precise, on Renault lines, which explains its resemblance to the famous French MPV/SUV. Even if, in good faith, it does have a few of its own identifying features: a slightly reworked front end and the brand’s signature light signature at the rear.
In addition to its similarity in design, the Eclipse Cross is almost identical in size to the electric Scénic, with a length of just under 4.50 m, placing it in the ‘compact’ SUV category, and a width of just over 1.85 m, making it easy to handle. These similarities are due to the fact that Mitsubishi’s new electric SUV and Renault’s best-seller also share the same CMF-EV platform.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross promises 600 km of range
In terms of performance, the Eclipse Cross currently only offers a single 160 kW (220 hp) engine. Another, slightly less powerful, version should be available next year, at what we imagine will be a lower price. Where the promise is most tempting is in the floor, with an 87 kWh battery that boasts a range of 600 kilometres WLTP and the possibility of rapid recharging up to 150 kW.
Inside, it’s quality. Visible stitching on the seats, beautiful materials, a connected and ergonomic cockpit, screens that blend in with the décor and an appreciable sobriety. Above all, there’s the Harman Kardon audio system, which will allow the most nostalgic to play the Fast & Furious soundtrack over and over again… Even if, limited to 170 km/h, this electric Eclipse 2025 is unlikely to break any speed records.
The question is, who will benefit from the arrival of the Eclipse Cross on the European market? For Renault, it’s simple: to keep its factory running. For Mitsubishi, it’s a question of positioning itself in a strategic market while limiting industrial costs on the one hand, but also research and development costs, since there are no new platforms to develop. We are now waiting to see how the new Franco-Japanese SUV will differentiate itself from its competitor and first cousin, the Scénic, and only time – and a test drive – will tell.
