2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT Road Test

The Eclipse offers more daring styling, essential in this class, than any of its competitors, which should go far to

The Eclipse offers more daring styling, essential in this class, than any of its competitors. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

get it noticed. The bright red example that joined me for the first leg of my journey pulled quite a few heads, with some straining to see just what it was and others, made knowledgeable by reading internet publications such as this, smiling and nodding in approval.

I especially like the detail Mitsubishi has put into its jewel-like taillamps, which transform at their innermost edges into one of the coolest rear wings ever created. The car's profile starts tall in the rear, and falls in a wedge-like shape as its beltline approaches the front fender. Its overhangs are longer than the concept that appeared a year ago, but it's a racy shape nonetheless and up to the task of winning fans.

And as it is with any of its cars, getting on the Eclipse on the radar screens of new car buyers will be Mitsubishi's first hurdle. Because once at the dealership,

The car's interior layout is open and airy, with more room than the previous model and seats that rival Volvo's XC70 for comfort. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

sitting inside, there will be few who go elsewhere. The car's interior layout is open and airy, with more room than the previous model and seats that rival Volvo's XC70 for comfort. I covered over three hundred miles during my drive, and my back never gave me any complaint. I heard similar comments from my colleagues.

The seats weren't the only features that Mitsubishi got right, mind you, as the steering wheel, featuring audio controls, was also ideally suited to sporting applications, the motorcycle-like gauge pod with its "Ice Blue" illumination was easy to read, for the most part, and the general layout of all controls intuitively designed.