Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross takes Renault platform as it goes full EV

From sports coupe, to crossover, and now an EV

Mitsubishi has announced the next step in the metamorphosis of the Eclipse nameplate.

From being made known as the green sports coupe that kickstarted the Fast and Furious saga to adopting the Cross nameplate as it became a crossover, Mitsubishi is now making the Eclipse Cross as a full electric crossover.

But wait, there’s more. The Eclipse Cross won’t be a 100% Mitsubishi-made product. In fact, it’s nowhere near that percentage, as it will be a product of badge engineering through its alliance partner, Renault. That’s right. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will be the twin of the Renault Scenic E-Tech that’s already on sale in Europe.

Base model versions of the Renault Scenic E-Tech use a 60kWh battery and a 170 PS, 280Nm electric motor which gives an electric driving range of 429 km based on European WLTP testing. Expect the Eclipse Cross EV to mirror these numbers once it gets launched.

Renault Scenic E-Tech where the Eclipse Cross will be based from

The Eclipse Cross will become the latest model sourced from the Renault alliance, as it already has several badge engineered models like the Colt (rebadged Clio), ASX (rebadged Captur), and the upcoming Grandis (rebadged Symbioz). This leaves the Outlander PHEV as the sole model sold in Europe as a Mitsubishi-developed vehicle.

The reason for that is because Mitsubishi is relying on Renault to gain traction in the European market, all while focusing its efforts to develop bespoke products in its growth markets here in Asia and Oceania. Likewise, the same strategy in Europe is being done to the US market as Mitsubishi is set to introduce an EV based on the next-generation Nissan Leaf and the Foxtron Model B.