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(from Mitsubishi Press Release) From its early days as a sleekly-styled, turbocharged-4-cylinder boy racer model, right up through to its current design as a sophisticated yet distinctive-looking two-door with available V-6 power, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe and Eclipse Spyder have long been tailor-made for the true driving enthusiast.

But after a long and successful run as the Japanese auto manufacturer’s signature luxury performance sports coupe in North America, the always fun-to-drive Mitsubishi Eclipse will cease production after the upcoming 2012 model year.

To mark the occasion, the outgoing 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe and Eclipse Spyder will be available in a unique SE Special Edition that will feature eye-catching exterior features including special “SE” side decaling, black side mirrors and handsome 18-in. dark finish alloy wheels, along with the extensive list of high-end standard features that can be found on the Eclipse GS-Sport versions of both the hardtop and convertible models.

Included amenities on the amply-equipped Eclipse GS-Sport models are a 4-speed automatic transmission, leather seating with heated front seats and a power driver’s seat, rearview camera, Bluetooth® hands-free phone access, HID headlights with fog lamps, heated side mirrors and an exquisite sounding 9 speaker, 650-watt Rockford Fosgate® premium audio system with SIRIUS® satellite radio. The coupe version of the Eclipse GS-Sport includes a sunroof as well.

The most affordably-priced version of the Eclipse remains the GS Coupe model. No-cost features include a 6 speaker 140-watt AM/FM/CD player with MP3 playing capability and an auxiliary audio input jack, air conditioning, 6 airbags, dual exhaust, blacked-out roof, 18-in. alloy wheels and automatic shut off headlights. The Eclipse GS Coupe comes equipped with a smooth-shifting 5-speed manual while a 4-speed automatic transmission is available as an option.

Powering all of these aforementioned Eclipse Coupe and Spyder models is a very capable 162 horsepower, normally-aspirated 2.4-liter SOHC MIVEC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder engine.

The top-of-the-line Eclipse GT Coupe and Spyder editions feature a 265 horsepower, 3.8-liter SOHC MIVEC 24-valve V-6 that is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission that makes use of Mitsubishi’s Sportronic® transmission technology, allowing the driver to manually select gearshifts when so desired. An automatic climate control system is also an included feature on all Eclipse GT models.

Standard safety equipment on all Eclipse models includes 4-wheel disc anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD); Active Stability Control (ASC) and Traction Control Logic (TCL); and advanced dual front air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) and side air bags. Side curtain air bags are included on the Eclipse Coupe.

About Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 400 dealers. In November of 2011, MMNA will launch the battery electric Mitsubishi i as part of a corporate mission to offer consumers more environmentally responsible modes of transportation. This battery electric vehicle technology addresses the need for vehicles that produce zero tailpipe emissions and support a growing agenda for sustainability. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (888) 560-6672      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

The next Evo will be a plug-in hybrid based on the PX-MiEV concept.  Power will come from the combination of a 2.0-L 4 cylinder engine and an electric motor.

Unlike traditional hybrids (have they been around long enough to be a tradition?), the Evo will use it’s electric motor to drive the front wheels most of the time, and the turbo 2.0-L to drive the rear wheels, when needed.

Not only will this combination improve fuel economy for the Evo, it will provide it with excellent acceleration.  The 4 cylinder engine apparently packs 320 hp on it’s own, which should already be enough to really get the car moving.  Add the torque of the electric motor and you’ve got yourself a 0-60 time of around 4.5 seconds.

Another nice benefit of the added electric motor is the absence of turbo lag.  Since electric motors have great torque at really low speed, it will fill in the gap in the low RPM range, where the turbo’s effects aren’t completely felt.

We continue to never get the credit we deserve.  CarVersation covered Mitsu management’s worried state and ideas for survival.  Mitsubishi Motors is, in fact, expanding its product line in the US to include a sub-compact hatch placed below its Lancer.  The Colt will be that sub-compact.  The standard Colt has not been an object of praise across the pond, but there is hope in Mitsubishi’s Ralliart version.  The factory-tuned variant sports a 150+ hp I-4, a more rigid suspension, Evo seats, and a mean body-kit.  Sadly, Mitsu execs over in Japan are not confident in bringing the Ralliart to the States.

Fokoku Capital Management, an influential Japanese business firm, caused quite a bit of buzz yesterday when an analyst recommended Mitsubishi Motors and Suzuki Automotive withdrawal from the US market.  Both independent car companies publicly reaffirmed their dedication to staying inside the United States, but now word is coming in that serious discussion is being made over their declining status in the American market.

Suzuki will hold off on a decision until the Kizashi, an elegantly sculpted sedan, lands on US shores.  It’s a different matter with Mitsubishi.  Like most carmakers here, Mitsubishi has seen its sales dive with the recession.  It attempted a turnaround with a refreshed Outlander sport-ute for 2006, followed by a greatly improved Lancer compact sedan for ’08.  But Mitsubishi’s limited developmental resources and distribution network have constrained its ability to quickly expand an improved product line.  A dent in revenue and shrinking market share are dividing company management on the matter of keeping an American presence.

Those resisting a pullout are hoping to see the Lancer Sportback, and a refreshed Galant further down the road, provide an uptick in sales and a boost in its Western image.  We’ll have more on this topic later in the coming week.

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TV show has run a comparison test between two fierce sport compacts: Ford’s revered Focus RS and Mitsu’s fresh Lancer Evo X.  The Evo’s larger, stronger, and has all-wheel-drive, but the Focus RS is lighter.

See how it turns out.

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Just a week after we covered the -330, Mitsubishi unveiled its top-of-the-line Lancer Evolution FQ-400.  Engineers went to work upgrading the 2.0 L inline-four’s intercooler, installing high-flow injectors, reprogramming the ECU, and adding a new exhaust system.  Peak horsepower has now been pushed up to 403.  Away from the engine bay, new lightweight composite body panels, wheels, and bumpers trim down on fat.  Toyo Proxes race tires, Bilstein shocks, and Eibach springs accompany a wide-track and lowered suspension to handle the added performance and reduce drag.  All this carbon fiber and extra boost lets the new Evo go from zero-to-sixty in a Shelby-spanking 3.8 seconds.  Pricing for the FQ-400 starts at £50,000.