Mitsubishi : In the swirling currents of automotive evolution, Mitsubishi has cast its line into electric waters with a bold reimagining of a familiar nameplate. The Eclipse Cross, once a combustion-powered compact SUV with modest aspirations, is undergoing a transformation that speaks volumes about the shifting landscape of European mobility.
This September, Mitsubishi will unveil an all-electric iteration of the Eclipse Cross, marking not just a powertrain revolution but a fascinating chapter in cross-brand collaboration within the automotive world.
A Franco-Japanese Symphony
The reinvention of the Eclipse Cross represents a unique industrial marriage between Japanese design philosophy and French manufacturing prowess. While the Eclipse name carries Japanese heritage, the beating heart of this new vehicle is decidedly European.
Manufactured at Ampere’s Electricity facility in Douai, France, the electric Eclipse Cross emerges from the same production lines as its technological cousin, the Renault Scenic E-Tech.
This partnership blooms from the evolving alliance between Mitsubishi and Renault, showcasing how traditional competition has given way to strategic collaboration in the face of electrification’s mounting challenges.
The sharing of platforms and production facilities allows both manufacturers to amortize the substantial investments required for electric vehicle development while maintaining distinct brand identities.
The Eclipse Cross will join a growing family of Renault-derived Mitsubishi vehicles tailored for European sensibilities, including the Colt (based on the Clio), the ASX (derived from the Captur), and the upcoming Grandis (a reimagined Renault Symbioz). This approach allows Mitsubishi to maintain a competitive European presence while concentrating its independent development resources on flagship models like the Outlander SUV.
Electrification with Range in Mind
Understanding the range anxiety that still clouds consumer perception of electric vehicles, Mitsubishi has engineered the Eclipse Cross with battery options that address diverse driving needs. The initial launch in late 2025 will feature a long-range variant, followed by a mid-range version in 2026.
While specifications remain under wraps until the September reveal, industry analysts expect the Eclipse Cross to mirror the battery configurations of its platform-mate, the Renault Scenic E-Tech. This would translate to options of 60 kWh and 87 kWh battery packs, paired with either a single-motor setup producing approximately 168 horsepower or a dual-motor configuration generating around 215 horsepower.
This tiered approach to battery capacity reflects a maturing understanding of the electric vehicle market. Not every driver requires maximum range, and providing options allows Mitsubishi to offer more accessible price points while still catering to those with demanding travel requirements.
Design: European Engineering, Japanese Soul
Despite sharing underpinnings with Renault products, Mitsubishi has worked diligently to ensure the Eclipse Cross maintains a distinct visual identity. The exterior styling has been developed under the supervision of Mitsubishi Motors Europe Design near Frankfurt, Germany, infusing European design sensibilities while incorporating the next generation of Mitsubishi’s signature “Dynamic Shield” front fascia.
This design collaboration speaks to a nuanced understanding of regional preferences. European consumers expect certain aesthetic and functional elements in their vehicles, and the Germany-based design team brings invaluable insights into these expectations.
The interior will feature a two-row, five-passenger configuration with approximately 545 liters of cargo space. Modern technologies abound, including Google built-in infotainment systems and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This technological integration represents the contemporary expectation that electric vehicles will offer cutting-edge interfaces and safety features as standard.
Strategic Timing in a Transforming Market
The Eclipse Cross enters the European market at a pivotal moment in the continent’s automotive transition. The C-SUV segment represents the largest vehicle category in Europe, making it a strategically vital battleground for manufacturers. By slotting the electric Eclipse Cross into this highly competitive segment, Mitsubishi aims to capture market share as European consumers increasingly shift toward electric mobility.
The timing also aligns with tightening emissions regulations across European markets. By 2025, when the Eclipse Cross arrives in showrooms, several European nations will have implemented or expanded low-emission zones in major cities, further incentivizing electric vehicle adoption.
For Mitsubishi, the electric Eclipse Cross represents its first battery-electric vehicle in Europe since the pioneering i-MiEV of 2010, which holds the distinction of being one of the first mass-produced electric vehicles from a major manufacturer. This return to the all-electric segment after focusing on plug-in hybrid technology demonstrates Mitsubishi’s recognition that a diverse powertrain portfolio is essential for navigating the varied pace of electrification across global markets.
A Global Strategy with Regional Nuance
The electric renaissance of the Eclipse Cross in Europe forms just one facet of Mitsubishi’s global strategy. While Europe receives this Renault-based electric iteration, North American consumers will see a different approach.
Mitsubishi has confirmed plans to introduce an electric crossover for the North American market in summer 2026, though this vehicle will be based on the upcoming Nissan Leaf platform rather than the Renault underpinnings of the European Eclipse Cross.
This regional differentiation highlights the complexity of global automotive planning in the electric era. Different markets progress toward electrification at varying speeds and with distinct consumer preferences, requiring manufacturers to tailor their approaches accordingly.
By leveraging different alliance partners in different regions, Mitsubishi maximizes efficiency while respecting the unique characteristics of each market.
The future of the combustion-powered Eclipse Cross, which remains in production for certain markets, remains uncertain. As electric variants establish themselves, traditional combustion models may gradually sunset, though the timeline for this transition will likely vary significantly by region.
Expanding the Electric Ecosystem
Beyond the vehicle itself, the introduction of the electric Eclipse Cross signals Mitsubishi’s commitment to building a comprehensive electric mobility ecosystem. Modern electric vehicles require support structures that extend far beyond the vehicle itself, including charging networks, service expertise, and digital integration.
The incorporation of Google built-in technology within the Eclipse Cross indicates a focus on creating a seamless digital experience that extends beyond traditional vehicle functions.
Modern electric vehicle owners expect their cars to integrate with their digital lives, offering features like remote climate control, charging status monitoring, and intelligent navigation that accounts for charging stops on longer journeys.
Service infrastructure presents another critical consideration. Dealership networks require additional training and equipment to properly maintain electric vehicles, representing a significant investment for manufacturers and their partners. By sharing technology with Renault, Mitsubishi can benefit from the French manufacturer’s established electric vehicle service protocols while adapting them to its specific needs.
Challenges and Opportunities
The transformation of the Eclipse Cross from a combustion-powered vehicle to an electric offering is not without challenges. Brand purists may question the departure from the nameplate’s heritage, particularly given that the original Eclipse was a sports coupe rather than an SUV. However, Mitsubishi has already navigated this transition once with the introduction of the first-generation Eclipse Cross in 2017, suggesting that the market has accepted this evolution of the Eclipse identity.
More significant challenges lie in the competitive landscape of the European electric vehicle market. Established players like Volkswagen, Stellantis, and Tesla have already staked claims in the electric SUV segment, while Chinese manufacturers including BYD and MG are rapidly expanding their European footprints with competitively priced offerings.
Against this backdrop, the Renault-Mitsubishi collaboration offers distinct advantages. By sharing development and manufacturing costs, both brands can potentially offer more competitive pricing than if they had pursued entirely independent strategies. The association with Renault, which has established electric credibility through vehicles like the Zoe and now the Megane E-Tech, may also help overcome any hesitation regarding Mitsubishi’s electric expertise.
Looking Toward the Horizon
As September’s reveal approaches, the automotive world watches with interest to see how Mitsubishi will position this electric renaissance of the Eclipse Cross.
Will it lean into performance aspects to honor the original Eclipse’s sporting heritage? Will it emphasize range and practicality to address the primary concerns of electric vehicle skeptics? Or will it chart a completely new course, establishing a fresh identity for the Eclipse nameplate in the electric era?
What remains clear is that the electric Eclipse Cross represents more than just another entry in the expanding catalog of electric SUVs. It embodies the complex realities of the automotive industry’s transition to electrification—the strategic alliances, the regional adaptations, and the careful balance between heritage and innovation.
For European consumers, the arrival of the electric Eclipse Cross provides another compelling option in the journey toward sustainable mobility. For Mitsubishi, it represents a pivotal step in remaining relevant in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape. And for industry observers, it offers a fascinating case study in how traditional automotive structures are being reimagined for an electric future.
As the automotive world continues its electric transformation, collaborations like the one behind the Eclipse Cross may well become the rule rather than the exception—a reminder that even as propulsion technologies change, the fundamental challenges of designing, manufacturing, and selling vehicles that resonate with consumers remain constant.
When the electric Eclipse Cross makes its debut at the end of 2025, it will carry not just passengers but also the weight of Mitsubishi’s electric ambitions in Europe. The journey from concept to consumer will have spanned continents and crossed corporate boundaries, resulting in a vehicle that embodies the complex, collaborative nature of modern automotive development.
In that sense, perhaps the Eclipse name is particularly fitting—representing not an ending, but rather a moment where multiple forces align to create something new and transformative.