Design
Mitsubishi says the 2007 Eclipse Spyder looks like a “chopped” coupe with the roof raised and a classic “speedster” when the top is dropped. Either way, this car has some seriously exaggerated styling cues that attract attention.
As opposed to the last generation Eclipse, which relied on grooves stamped into the door panels to create visual interest, the all-new 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder uses exaggerated concave and convex surfaces to excite the eye. Although the custom crowd will certainly modify the body contours, Mitsubishi has already integrated the door sills and lower spoilers to form a factory “body kit” on this halo model. “Designed for people who like to be noticed,” there are two looks to the 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. With the top raised, the Spyder has the look of a “chopped” coupe. Drop the roof to create more of a “speedster” image. With the Spyder’s power convertible top, Mitsubishi has gone upscale for the new model, making it a multi-layered cloth roof with a glass rear window and defogger that opens in a sprightly 19 seconds. What’s more, the unit stows underneath a flush tonneau cover, for attractive, clean lines when motoring under the bright blue sky. Mitsubishi says the fit and operation of the Spyder’s top is worthy of a $40,000 vehicle. On paper, all of the 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder’s dimensions have grown since the last generation car: overall length increases 2.9 inches, width is up 3.3 inches, and height rises by 1.6 inches. The wheelbase has also been stretched just over half an inch. Despite these gains, the rather pudgy Eclipse Spyder is still smaller than a Mustang convertible. Bigger isn’t necessarily better, but there are no arguments against the improvements to the Spyder’s interior ergonomics. That taller, wider body and longer wheelbase provides more room inside, too. Front seat occupants get more than a half inch of additional headroom (38.5 inches) and legroom (42.8), and enjoy “best-in-class” shoulder room (52.2 inches) and hip room (53.7) – all good features given the expanding American waistline. Interior room drops off in the rear, per our evaluation, and we would recommend that the Eclipse Spyder’s back seat be used only for extremely short passengers, or for extremely short distances. While children in car seats can be accommodated, the placement of the sound system’s subwoofer between the rear seats will force you to make a choice between carrying children or listening to great music, supplied by the standard Rockford Fosgate audio system.
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