Sporting a high-tech convertible top, knockout styling and luxurious appointments, Mitsubishi's 2007 Eclipse Spyder is an attainable high performance Grand Touring / Sports car that perfectly complements the Eclipse Coupe.
Appealing to both convertible enthusiasts and sports car aficionados, the sensuous and powerful Eclipse Spyder offers room for four, a disappearing top, Ice Blue gauges and a choice of dashboard colours. Two models are available: The well equipped Eclipse Spyder GS, powered by a 2.4 litre, 162 hp MIVEC engine and the luxurious GT Premium which features a 3.8 litre, 260 hp MIVEC V6 engine.
"Compromise is not part of Spyder's equation," said Larry Futers, Director, National Marketing, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc. "Simply put, the Spyder draws its inspiration from the ranks of beautifully engineered, classic open air sports cars that define the breed from the moment they are launched. It blends stellar looks with superb performance while still accommodating four passengers and providing a state-of-the-art convertible top. No other sports car offers this incomparable level of value for anything like the price. The 2007 Eclipse Spyder is unique."
Convertible means Convertible
Impressively, almost magically, the convertible top in the 2007 Eclipse Spyder disappears, completely. Once activated the Spyder's automatic power top folds completely out of site, underneath a flush fitting powered tonneau cover. The entire operation, from start to totally hidden, takes about 19 seconds. Viewed from the side there is no unsightly "baby buggy bump", just a graceful profile. Unlike some others, the Spyder's top is made of high quality woven cloth, not vinyl. Its advanced multilayer construction includes a full headliner which provides a cozy, snug feeling when raised. And when closed, the exterior top profile is reminiscent of the classic "speedster" look. The Spyder top is very carefully engineered to resist ballooning at speed and to provide a quiet inside environment with a minimum of wind noise. The Spyder top also features a glass rear window with a timed defroster.
Exterior – Engineered to Turn Some Pretty Heads
The 2007 Eclipse Spyder is a very attractive sports car. Athletic shapes and a wind tunnel inspired front fascia help the Spyder stand out from the crowd. Purposeful front and rear fenders suggest images of stability and power. Spyder's graceful silhouette is wedge shaped, highlighted by a forward cab and trim waistline that shout performance. From the front, large fenders help to accommodate the wide track and reinforce the Spyder's hunkered down look, while air intakes in the fascia help reinforce an image of purpose. And an added benefit of this sleek exterior is a low coefficient of drag, for better fuel efficiency.
Interior – Specifically Designed for Showing Off
Convertible owners expect to be seen, and the Spyder's interior is styled with this in mind. The large, round, easy-to-read, distinctive instruments and gauges are motorcycle inspired and feature exotic, Ice Blue nighttime illumination. The wave-form shaped instrument panel and dash houses convenient, intuitive, ergonomic controls. The centre stack features a climate and audio control area designed to resemble a modern entertainment interface. And new for 2007, the customer may choose from three available instrument panel and dash colour schemes; Techno-Sport (charcoal), Hi-Q Sport (medium gray), plus Avante Garde (terra cotta), which is only available in the GT Premium.
A Sport Touch steering wheel is complemented by a leather wrapped shift knob. And one piece high back front buckets, inspired by Mitsubishi rally cars, have open headrests for a sporty look and enhanced rear visibility. For making that musical statement, every Spyder is equipped with a 650W Rockford Fosgate premium audio system with 6 disc, in-dash, CD/MP3 player, 9 speakers including an 8" subwoofer, PUNCH Audio Dynamics, with steering wheel mounted controls. This spectacular sound also features a unique to Spyder, automatic sound equalization system, for top up or top down driving.
Additional standard features for Eclipse Spyder GS models include the following and much more: Power group – convertible top, side view mirrors, door locks with security logic, windows + driver side auto down, heated front seats, fog lamps, climate control, hard tonneau cover, halogen headlights with auto shutoff, cruise control, trunk opener, and 17" Lipless five spoke alloy wheels. Spyder GT Premium models add: Automatic climate control, leather surfaced seats, adjustable six-way power driver's seat, aluminum pedals, and 18" Lipless seven spoke alloy wheels.
Drivetrain – Either Choice is the Perfect Choice for Adventure
The 2007 Eclipse Spyder is powered by one of two superb engines. The Spyder GS uses Mitsubishi's acclaimed 2.4 litre, SOHC, 16 valve, MIVEC 4-cylinder engine, producing 162 hp @ 6000 rpm and 162 lb ft of torque @ 4000 rpm. The MIVEC system (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and lift Electronic Control) makes use of different sized camshaft lobes to vary valve lift and duration, producing optimum power at all engine speeds, ensuring that the Eclipse Spyder GS achieves high levels of performance. This flexible engine is mated to a smooth shifting 5-speed manual transmission or an optional Sportronic™ sequential shift 4-speed automatic.
The Eclipse Spyder GT Premium is perfect for those who enjoy the music of top down exhaust notes with their luxury. The GT Premium features a 3.8 litre, 60 degree, aluminum head, SOHC, 24 valve V6 engine, also enhanced by the MIVEC system. Rated at 260 horsepower @ 5750 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque @ 4500 rpm, this willing V6 provides significant power and tremendous torque throughout the rev range. This responsive 3.8 litre V6 is mated to either a smooth shifting 6-speed manual transmission or a sophisticated 5-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic™ mode. Sportronic™ allows the spirited driver to manually control clutchless shifts with the simple push or pull of the shift lever.
Chassis, Suspension & Steering
The Eclipse Spyder steel unibody structure is extremely strong and rigid. Every opening, including doors, hatch and engine compartment is reinforced to resist the extra bending and twisting forces exerted on an open top automobile. Spyder's body employs high tensile strength steel panels to reduce body weight and increase rigidity, as well as new straight frame rails. This exceptionally robust structure is the key to ride quality, handling performance and feel, plus overall refinement and safety.
Spyder's fully independent suspension provides superior stability, excellent ride quality and precise, predictable handling. The front end uses MacPherson struts with the addition of a large rigid cross-member to help control torsional flexing. The rear utilizes a multi-link configuration with trailing arms and coil springs. Anti-sway bars are employed at both front and rear. The 2007 Spyder uses a proven rack-and-pinion power steering design which provides direct feeling and response, while effort multiplication allows low-speed steering control that makes parking and tight maneuvering easy.
Safety and Brakes
Safety equipment includes advanced driver and front passenger airbags with Dual Stage inflators and driver's seat position occupant sensors, front passenger seat occupant weight sensors and front seat mounted side-impact airbags. All seating positions have three-point safety belts. Front seats have pretentioners and force limiters for the front safety belts.
Four wheel disc brakes are standard on every Eclipse Spyder. The large front ventilated discs measure 294mm in diameter. Rear brakes are 262mm solid discs on the GS, and 284mm ventilated discs on the GT Premium. Coupled with standard anti-lock braking (ABS) and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), the Eclipse Spyder's powerful, fade resistant brakes provide excellent control during high speed braking and on rain soaked or low traction roads.
Source: Mitsubishi
