Mitsubishi has officially confirmed that its next-generation Eclipse Cross will be a fully electric vehicle—and for many loyal enthusiasts, that announcement feels like the final nail in the coffin of a once-celebrated nameplate. The beloved Eclipse, remembered as a turbocharged icon of ’90s car culture, is now pivoting hard into the electric age. And not just any electric vehicle, but a compact crossover SUV built not in Japan, but in France—by Renault.
Yes, you read that right.
The Eclipse Legacy: A Legend Reimagined
Once upon a time, the Mitsubishi Eclipse was a tuner’s dream. Launched in 1989, it boasted edgy styling, sharp handling, and performance variants that made it a standout. The all-wheel-drive GSX model, in particular, became a favorite among street racers, modders, and video game enthusiasts. It even found fame on the silver screen, securing its place in the hearts of gearheads around the world.
That Eclipse was more than just a car—it was a symbol of an era when Mitsubishi dared to be different.
But as tastes shifted and markets evolved, so did Mitsubishi’s priorities. The original Eclipse was discontinued in 2012, and when the company revived the name in 2017, fans were met with confusion. Instead of a sleek, low-slung coupe, the Eclipse Cross arrived as a compact SUV. It still had a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive, but it lacked the edge, spirit, and speed of its predecessor. The response? Tepid. Loyalists grumbled. But at least it was still built by Mitsubishi and powered by gasoline.
A New Chapter: Built by Renault, Branded by Mitsubishi
Fast forward to today, and the transformation is nearly complete. The next Eclipse Cross won’t just be an SUV—it will be an electric one. More significantly, it won’t even be manufactured by Mitsubishi. The vehicle will roll off the production lines at Renault’s Douai plant in France and will be based heavily on the Renault Scenic E-Tech platform.
To some, this sounds like strategic synergy. To long-time Eclipse fans, it feels like a betrayal.
This isn’t a one-off partnership either. Mitsubishi’s European lineup is now dominated by rebadged Renaults. The ASX? That’s a Renault Captur underneath. The Colt? A Renault Clio in disguise. And coming soon, the new Grandis—a name once attached to a Japanese MPV—will be yet another Renault derivative, this time based on the upcoming Symbioz SUV.
The Shrinking Mitsubishi DNA
The result of this badge engineering spree is a thinning of Mitsubishi’s unique identity, especially in Europe. Once a company known for building everything from rally-winning Evos to rugged Pajeros, Mitsubishi now offers few vehicles that are truly its own.
As it stands, only the Outlander and the Space Star remain as Mitsubishi-original products in the European market. And even globally, the brand is increasingly leaning on partnerships. Plans are in place to rebadge the next Nissan Leaf crossover for select markets. Additionally, Mitsubishi is working with Foxtron—a venture between tech giant Foxconn and Taiwanese automaker Yulon—on a new EV based on the Foxconn Model B. That car will be assembled in Taiwan and is expected to launch in late 2026.
Why the Shift?
So what’s driving this change? Simply put, economics and survival.
Mitsubishi, part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, has struggled to maintain its own production infrastructure across multiple global markets. By sharing platforms and manufacturing resources with Renault and Nissan, the company can cut costs and stay relevant in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape—especially one being reshaped by electrification and environmental regulations.
But this strategy comes with a cost. While it makes sense on paper, it dilutes the brand’s identity. For fans who grew up dreaming of Lancer Evos and Eclipse GSXs, there’s a bittersweetness to seeing those storied names attached to vehicles that share little more than a badge with their predecessors.
The Future Is Electric, But Is It Mitsubishi?
The fully electric Eclipse Cross, set to debut in September, marks an inflection point for Mitsubishi. It will be the company’s first electric model in Europe since the i-MiEV—a tiny city car that never quite caught on—launched over a decade ago. This new Eclipse may bring the brand back into the spotlight, particularly among eco-conscious urban drivers.
But for those who remember Mitsubishi as a purveyor of passion-driven performance cars, this latest move signals a broader identity shift. The company is no longer chasing turbocharged thrills or rally heritage. It’s chasing efficiency, partnerships, and the promise of electrified futures.
And while the new Eclipse Cross might be quieter, cleaner, and smarter than ever before, it’s fair to ask: is it still an Eclipse at all?
In the end, Mitsubishi’s journey mirrors that of many automakers: caught between legacy and innovation, identity and survival. Whether the new Eclipse Cross electrifies hearts as well as roads remains to be seen—but one thing’s for sure: it won’t sound like the old one.
