By Khulekani Dumisa

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has been updated with a fresher exterior design, extensive list of comfort features, improved practicality and enhanced technology, and connectivity.

Exterior

The updated Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has increased in length by about 140mm for added practicality. The front gets tweaks to Mitsubishi’s “dynamic shield” concept with obvious work done on the daytime running lights, headlamps and grille.

At the back, the polarising split rear tailgate window has been replaced by a hexagonal design with a single piece of glass. The rear boot end has also undergone a styling change. The rear lamps now have a distinctive three-dimensional Y-shaped design, and extend upward and inward elegantly to follow the shape of the outside of the tailgate glass.

Interior

Inside, upgrades have resulted in electric seat adjustment now being standard for both the driver and passenger seats. The longer length of the body also means a larger boot capacity of 437 litres, increasing to 1,074 litres with the rear seats folded flat, and without compromising on the spare wheel tyre size.

Power

The new Eclipse Cross will be offered in two derivatives. Both are front-wheel drive and feature a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

There are two engine options, the first being Mitsubishi’s latest 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo charged petrol engine. It delivers 110 kW of power 250 Nm of torque. This power plant is paired with an eight-step automatic INVECS-III CVT gearbox.

The second engine option is the 2.0-litre MIVEC DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine which uses a multipoint fuel injection system and offers 110 kW of power and torque of 198 Nm. This engine is paired with Mitsubishi’s six-step INVECS-III CVT.

Pricing

The new Eclipse Cross range is priced from R459,995 for the 2.0 GLS derivative and R499,995 for the 1.5t GLS offering. Pricing includes a three-year/100,000 km warranty, a five-year/90,000 km service plan and a five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance.