First look: Eclipse blows its top

IT is not sold here but Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Spyder, revealed at last week's Detroit motor show, proves there is still life left yet in Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

The third-generation open-top Spyder has been derived from the new fourth-generation Eclipse coupe, which was introduced in the United States in 2005.

The Spyder carries through the coupe’s sleek, taut and muscular lines to create a shape that is cool and aggressive with the electric cloth roof up or down.

The roof opens and closes in about 19 seconds and when open is flush-fitting with the boot.

The Spyder is offered in two trim levels, GT and GS, powered by a 3.8-litre V6 MIVEC engine in the GT and 2.4-litre four-cylinder MIVEC in the GS.

Of interest in Australia is the 3.8-litre V6, as it may one day end up powering the Mitsubishi 380.

The GT V6 Spyder is mated to a sport-mode five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

It develops 195kW and 350Nm, endowing the GT with a zero to 100km/h sprint time of about seven seconds.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloys, air conditioning, dual front and side torso and head protective airbags, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, cruise control, engine immobiliser and central locking.

Also featuring in the Eclipse, as well as Outlander, is the highly acclaimed Rockford Fosgate audio system.

This premium audio system features a 650-watt power amp with a six-disc, in-dash CD changer that can also play MP3 files.

In the Spyder, this system has a subwoofer centre-mounted under the rear seat.

It provides bespoke automatic sound adjustment and equalisation for the different sound conditions for top-up or top-down driving.