Mitsubishi reveals shock new EV! Eclipse name returns on SUV developed with Nissan
The Mitsubishi Eclipse nameplate has been revived once again, this time as a small all-electric SUV created chiefly for the North American market, but which could also be exported to other markets, including Australia.
If the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV looks familiar, it’s because it is almost identical to the current third-generation Nissan Leaf EV SUV released in 2025.
Differences include a fresh front bumper, a rectangular lower air intake, a new grille with 3D vertical slats and altered LED light graphics.
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Along its flanks there is different chrome window trim, large ‘EV’ door badges and new alloy wheels.
From behind, the new Eclipse Sportback gets a reshaped bumper with a prominent double-U diffuser and restyled lamps featuring arrow-shaped light graphics.
The cabin has yet to be shown, but it is thought there have been some minor changes inside.
Beneath the skin, the Mitsubishi small SUV is expected to share its powertrain with the Nissan Leaf.
That means the entry model will feature a front-mounted 130kW/344Nm electric motor paired with a 52kWh battery, providing a WLTP-verified driving range of 436km and DC fast-charging at up to 105kW.
A longer-range variant is also expected to be available, producing 160kW/354Nm and featuring a larger 75kWh battery for a more generous 604km range, along with DC fast-charging at up to 150kW.
Marking the third time a Mitsubishi SUV has carried the Eclipse badge, the latest Eclipse Sportback follows the Eclipse Cross (2017-2025) sold in Australia until recently.
It has been replaced in Europe by the rebadged Renault Scenic, marketed as the Eclipse Cross.
An Australian introduction for the Eclipse Sportback is far from certain, as Mitsubishi Australia has already announced plans to introduce a small SUV by the end of this year that has been developed by Foxtron, an offshoot of Taiwanese technology giant Foxconn.
When it arrives, the Mitsubishi-Foxtron SUV is expected to feature aggressive pricing that will at least match its most affordable Chinese rivals, as the brand looks to mitigate any potential penalties under the recently introduced New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).
Nissan, meanwhile, has pressed pause on any Australian launch of the Leaf amid concerns – it is thought – over potential pricing.
Instead, Nissan Australia says it will focus on more affordable hybrid models that can compete more effectively on price.
