The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross debuts at the Geneva Motor Show as the Japanese brand makes a determined effort to crack the ultra-competitive mid-sized SUV market.
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Mitsubishi believes that the Eclipse Cross will appeal to style-conscious drivers, focusing on its ‘sharp coupé looks and muscular SUV stance’. Even the name has a sporty connection, last used on a two-door coupe and convertible sold in the US before 2012.
The Eclipse Cross is a compact-looking car, with distinct angles on the nose and a body shoulder line that rises towards the backwards-sloping roof line. The rear screen is particularly sharply angled.
When it goes on sale in the UK early in 2018 the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will be offered with two powertrains – the 2.2-litre turbodiesel familiar from other Mitsubishi models and a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine.
Both units gain new transmissions – a CVT with eight-speed manual override on the petrol engine and an eight-speed auto with the diesel. It’s not clear yet whether a front-wheel-drive version will be in the range, but the car will certainly be offered with Mitsubishi’s electronically-controlled 4WD. The ‘Super All-Wheel Control’ (S-AWC) vehicle control system will be included, this boasting an Active Yaw Control activated by the brakes.
With the Eclipse Cross, Mitsubishi will launch a major reworking of its interior design. Horizontal lines dominate the styling with silver framing, while the technology available includes a tablet-style infotainment display and a new Head Up Display.
A Smartphone Link Display Audio system uses a touchscreen to connect to Apple CarPlay, including using the Siri personal assistant built into iPhones. Android Auto devices are also supported including voice control of features such as Google Maps and Google Play.
Read more Mitsubishi news, reviews and features at The Car Expert
Also on Mitsubishi’s stand is the eX concept, a car that previews a potential future compact crossover with an electric drivetrain.
