The fact that the hatch and hood open from passenger to driver's side, rather than the traditional end to end configuration is where the prototype Eclipse shows its concept car leanings. If the production car retains the overall design, and I'm almost certain it will arrive with most of the concept's bends and curves intact, then both the hood and hatch will most likely be conventionally hinged. Just the same the side-mounted hinges allow for increased rear headroom of up to 40 mm, a benefit that might just be worth bringing to market despite ruffling the collective feathers of the conservative set.
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| The Eclipse Concept sports one of the sweetest hood, fender, headlight cluster arrangements I've ever seen. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America) |
Another unique design detail that I hope makes production is one of the sweetest hood, fender, headlight cluster arrangements I've ever seen. While the outermost edge of the headlamp follows the fender line in a fairly conventional manner, the inside line of the lens angles rearward in the exact trajectory as the unique hood cutout, which itself chops both rear corners off at the 45-degree angle. The panels are painted while the headlights and cutouts are clear-silver and gray respectively, creating a rigid 'X' in a design that otherwise celebrates softer curves.
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| The Concept is as edgy as sports coupes come, but rather than follow the current trend, Mitsubishi chose to allow sensual style back into automotive design. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America) |
When I say softer curves, don't get me wrong. The Eclipse Concept is as edgy as sports coupes come, but rather than follow the current trend of new models bent on radical angles seemingly for the sake of the straight line, I'm impressed Mitsubishi chose to allow a little sensual style back into modern automotive design.
But by sensual I don't mean feminine. The Eclipse Concept mixes slight proportions with muscular brawn, especially apparent from the front quarter view where its rear fenders extend outward not dissimilar to Porsche's much loved previous-generation Turbo. That said these are integrated more cohesively into the overall design rather than looking like a purpose-built afterthought, mirroring the fenders in front perfectly. Its pug nose is aggressive too, not designed to be particularly pretty but more like the proud appendage of a prize fighter.