Mitsubishi · Eclipse

Mitsubishi Eclipse 3rd generation (D53A)

Years
2004–2006
Chassis
D53A
Drivetrain
FF
Mitsubishi Eclipse 3rd generation (D53A)

Image: Bull-Doser / Public domain

Story

A generation shifted upmarket and fitted with a V6. Only the left-hand-drive Spyder was imported to Japan, four years after its debut in North America.

Stories

01

A third generation begun as its predecessor went on sale

Sims started designing the next production car (code-named ST24S) just as the second-generation Eclipse reached the showrooms. The design was fixed a year later, and work on the SST concept car began a year after that. The sharp edges around the wheel arches, on the rocker panels and at the trailing edge of the C-pillar are not only for looks: according to Sims, they are the result of extensive wind-tunnel testing and help the car achieve a drag coefficient of 0.30. On the difficulty of broadening the car's appeal, Sims said, "Broad appeal often translates to 'boring.'"
Dan Sims

Chassis

Length 4,515 mmWB 2,560 mm1,355 mmHeightWidth 1,760 mm
Curb weight
1,520kg

Production plants

US import eligibility

Earliest cars
Eligible from October 202925 years after sales began in October 2004
Last cars
Eligible during 203125 years after sales ended in 2006 (month not recorded)

Eligibility depends on each car's month of manufacture on its build plate, not on the sale dates shown here (NHTSA).

Japanese cars reaching 25 years in 2029 →

Engineers

Dan Sims

Dan Sims

Chief designer at Mitsubishi's design center. Designed the production third-generation Eclipse and also worked on the SST concept car.