Updated Eclipse Cross here soon

A bigger boot is among interesting changes.

THE updated Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross medium crossover becomes available at the end of the month, the local distributor has announced.

The vehicle achieves fresh looks, a revised chassis, new suspension – with a new rear shock to improve handling characteristics - and some specification alterations.

One intriguing alteration affects boot space; a redesign has added 140mm length to the rear, meaning it now has a 405-litre boot. While the body is longer than before, the wheelbase remains the same (at 2670mm) with the additional space eked out of a reconfigured cabin.

The model’s exterior lines and details have also altered, to attune to the brand’s latest design language. 

A new alternating-pattern mesh grille design is featured up front, flanked by slender new LED daytime lamps that replace the larger headlights of the outgoing model – leaving the lower lighting assembly to act as driving lights. 

The car also gets a redesigned hatch and rear window for improved visibility, integrating with updated tail-lights.

The interior revision includes a new touchscreen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and achieves additional driver assist technologies. Once again, there are two specification levels, XLS and VRX. 

Forward Collision Mitigation remains standard across the range, however blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and lane change assist – fundamental elements in most cars now – are introduced to the XLS. 

A 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine remains standard, with unchanged 110kW and 250Nm outputs, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

However, Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand has confirmed it will deliver a plug-in hybrid next year.

This comprises a 2.4-litre non-turbo petrol four-cylinder mated to electric motors mounted on each axle; so, a similar – if not the same – drivetrain as that featuring in the next size up Outlander PHEV, which is also about to undergo change.

With no major structural changes involved in the facelift, the new Eclipse Cross retains its five-star ANCAP rating, achieved before the test was toughened up at the start of this year.

Eclipse Cross updates revealed

A battery-assisted drivetrain is among extra features coming for Mitsubishi’s compact crossover.

INCORPORATION of a hybrid powertrain – but not straight away - is a core change with an update to Mitsubishi’s compact sports utility, the Eclipse Cross.

 Detail of this inclusion has been aired with the brand having now unveiled the refresh, which is thought to be close to introduction to New Zealand, though no exact date has been announced.

In addition to the powertrain revision, the vehicle achieves fresh looks, a revised chassis, new suspension – with a new rear shock to improve handling characteristics - and some specification alterations.

The model’s exterior lines and details have also altered, to attune to the brand’s latest design language.

A new alternating-pattern mesh grille design is featured up front, flanked by slender new LED daytime lamps that replace the larger headlights of the outgoing model – leaving the lower lighting assembly to act as driving lights.

The cat also gets a redesigned hatch and rear window for improved visibility, integrating with updated tail-lights. 

The interior has not altered much, save that the centre display housing an 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability has become more prominent and the previous model's touchpad has been discarded.

The car initially continues to represent with a 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine matched to a CVT gearbox with all-wheel drive. 

The plug-in hybrid powertrain is reportedly coming in late 2021. This comprises a 2.4-litre non-turbo petrol four-cylinder mated to electric motors mounted on each axle; so, a similar – if not the same – drivetrain as that featuring in the next size up Outlander PHEV, which is also about to undergo change.

A new Outlander is set to launch in 2021, with a PHEV variant coming in 2022.

Meantime, Mitsubishi is also looking to replace the ASX, which is the oldest of its crossovers by some margin.

 Images released by Mitsubishi Japan seem to suggest the Eclipse Cross might include a sporty GSR appearance.

Comment about the Eclipse Cross has yet to come from Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand.

New Outlander in 2021

Change is coming for Mitsubishi’s core sports utilities.

CONFIRMATION that an all-new Outlander will be out in 2021 and that the smaller Eclipse Cross will under significant change in the last part of this year has come from Mitsubishi.

However the brand still has no news about another generation of its smallest crossover, the ASX, which has been in production since 2010 and has just undergone four facelifts in a bid to keep it fresh. 

The news was not imparted by the national distributor but its equivalent in Australia.

Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand head of marketing and corporate affairs, Reece Congdon, has been approached for comment.

According to Mitsubishi Australia, the Eclipse Cross will achieve major front and rear design enhancements, “taking cues from Mitsubishi’s next-generation design language”. It will also have a revised interior including a new infotainment system.

As for Outlander? The design is still under wraps, but the brand has confirmed the next car will be larger than the current offer, though not significantly so. It is also confirmed that it will be the first Mitsubishi to fully benefit from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance in that it will place on the same platform as the next generation Nissan X-Trail. 

Conceivably, then, new drivetrain options will also feature. Mitsubishi is expected to contribute a revised petrol electric powertrain for the plug-in hybrid that is now a mainstay in New Zealand, but the car will also like achieve a 2.0-litre variable compression petrol turbo engine developed by Nissan. 

Timing for the model looks set to be around mid-2021 or soon after, following the timeline set out for the model launch in North America. 

According to Mitsubishi Australia chief executive Shaun Westcott: “The all-new next generation Outlander will be bigger, bolder and better than ever before, and will be the quietest and best-equipped Mitsubishi ever sold. 

“Completely redesigned and reimagined in every way, the new Outlander will incorporate the latest Mitsubishi design language, with a bold, aggressive, and distinctive appearance. Loaded with technology and significant interior refinements, this game-changing vehicle will surprise many.”