- Mitsubishi is reviving the Eclipse name for a fully electric crossover.
- Unique fascias and lighting set it apart from its Nissan sibling.
- Mitsubishi plans to launch the new model in North America this fall.
The Eclipse name keeps finding new homes that have nothing to do with the sport coupe sold from 1989 to 2011. First it landed on the Eclipse Cross crossover, and now Mitsubishi has confirmed a new Eclipse Sportback EV bound for North America as a 2027 model in the back half of this year. Beneath that Triple Diamond badge sits nothing more than a lightly reskinned new-generation Nissan Leaf, so anyone holding out for a true heir to the original should brace for disappointment.
Visually, most people will just see a Leaf wearing Mitsubishi emblems, but the Eclipse Sportback does have a few redesigned bits. Up front, the bumper gets a different grille and horizontal intakes with aerodynamic detailing. Despite the official claims, the LED headlights look awfully close to the Nissan units, the difference being that they aren’t connected by a strip of black trim.
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The profile is also identical, keeping the original crossover fastback silhouette, though it picks up fresh EV emblems on the front doors along with chrome accents around the windows and on the three-spoke 18-inch aero wheel covers borrowed from the Leaf S+.
At the back, Mitsubishi’s designers kept their input minimal: a sculpted rear bumper, a new tailgate that drops the glossy black trim of the Nissan, and custom LED taillight graphics. Naturally, the Eclipse Sportback won’t get the Z-inspired “3D holographic LEDs” of the flagship Nissan Leaf Platinum+ trim.
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The company hasn’t shown the interior yet, but don’t expect much beyond a Mitsubishi emblem on the steering wheel. The Leaf comes with dual screens measuring 12.3 or 14.3 inches, depending on the trim. Whether the Mitsubishi version gets the dimming panoramic electrochromic roof and the clever Bose Personal audio setup with speakers built into the headrests remains to be seen.
Under the skin, the Eclipse Sportback rides on the CMF-EV architecture shared with the Nissan Leaf and Ariya. Full technical specs will come later, but the Leaf offers a choice between 52 kWh and 75 kWh battery packs and a single electric motor making either 174 hp (130 kW / 176 PS) or 214 hp (160 kW / 218 PS). EPA range tops out at 303 miles (488 km).
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Mitsubishi has promised more details and pricing in the near future ahead of the market launch. The company also confirmed the Eclipse Sportback will be joined by an “all-new rugged, off-road derivative of the Outlander SUV” in early 2027, followed by a new or significantly revised vehicle every year through 2030.
