At the launch event of the third generation of the Outlander, Mitsubishi announced that two new vehicles will be launched in India as well in the coming few years. With the launch of the Outlander that will rival the CR-V at a price of INR 31.95 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the company has targeted another segment, which is currently dominated by the Jeep Compass. This will be done by the Eclipse Cross, which Mitsubishi plans to bring to India by 2020. The Eclipse Cross was first revealed to the world back in 2017 at the Geneva Motor Show.
Keeping the Jeep Compass in mind, Mitsubishi has brought a product that is longer and taller and also has a longer wheelbase. The one place that the Compass will overpower the Eclipse Cross is in the width, where the Compass is 13mm wider. The Eclipse looks quite like the Outlander and appears to be sportier than its elder sibling due to its coupe-like silhouette. The taillights are stretched at the back, with a central-mounted stop light.
Currently, the Mitsubishi Eclipse is available in the global markets with only a petrol engine with 1.5-liter displacement capacity that produces a maximum power of 152 HP and a peak torque of 250 Nm. A diesel engine with 2.2-liter displacement capacity is under development. Transmission currently includes only a CVT but the diesel engine will feature an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Indian markets are expected to receive both the engine options, with their respective transmissions. Internationally, the Eclipse Cross is available in both 2WD and 4WD variants, and the Indian markets are expected to receive them too.
The dominant feature in the interior is the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which will have support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Other features include a heads-up display, a dual-zone climate control, and a Rockford Fosgate music system. The price is expected to start from INR 18 lakh if the company truly wants to compete with the Jeep Compass. For this, they will have to manufacture the Eclipse in India rather than have it as a CBU import. It will also rival the XUV500, the Hyundai Tucson, the Tata Harrier, and the Skoda Kodiaq.
