Mitsubishi continues to take shortcuts to new car launches by trusting alliance partner Renault to maintain a presence in Europe. Although revealed this week, the 2026 Eclipse Cross is not that new, because it is strongly based on the picturesque e-tech, a model that was launched two years ago. It is the newest product that arrives via a French connection, which becomes a member of the Colt/Clio, ASX/Captur and Grandis/Symbioz.
In fact, Mitsubishi now has more Renault -based models than patented in Europe, where the Space Star and Outlander are the only internal products. Although it would be easy to criticize the company for taking the easy way, developing an electric vehicle is expensive. Pouring money into an EV for a region where the brand only has a market share of 0.4 percent is risky. Yes, only 0.4 percent, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) for the first seven months of the year.
Don’t try to play Devil’s lawyer, but Mitsubishi has made an attempt to distinguish his product from the equivalent Renault model. This is more than a simple rebadge, because different body panels have changed. The hood, grille and bumpers are all different, although a quick glance at the profile betrays the identity of the model.
The 19 or 20-inch wheels have a new design and there is metal finish on the rear pillar, but it is still essentially a picturesque e-tech. Not so many people who shop in this segment will probably give about it. It all comes down to prices in an increasingly competitive class of electrical compact crossovers.
Photo by: Mitsubishi
The Renault -DNA is even clearer inside, where there is much less differentiation. The Eclipse Cross wears the well-known set-up with a double screen with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a vertical 12-inch touchscreen. New trim and upholstery options make things, while higher versions add a panoramic sunroof with an electrochrome film that adjusts the coverage of the glass with the push of a button.
The CMF-EV platform uses a front electric motor rated on the front on 215 hp and 221 pound-foot (300 Newton meter) torque. It makes a 0–62 mph (100 km/h) sprint possible in 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 106 mph (170 km/h). The engine extracts power from a battery of 87 kWh that supports 150 kW and an estimated WLTP range of 373 miles (600 kilometers) delivers.
39
Source: Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi is also planning to launch a midrange model later in 2026, probably with the smaller battery of the Scenic E-Tech Electric. The range must fall to around 260 miles (420 kilometers). The version of Renault with this setup does it with a weaker engine with an assessment of 168 hp and 207 LB-FT (280 Nm).
The name still annoys us, but that ship sailed a long time ago. The Eclipse Cross has been around since 2017, and now it is fully electric. The production starts in the fourth quarter of the year in the Douai factory of Renault in France. We would not count on this model in the United States, given the rates.
At the bottom of the page is a photo gallery that shows the Renault Scenic e-tech.
34
#Mitsubishi #Eclipse #Cross #hide #Renault #Roots