2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse SE Coupe

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From its early days as a sleekly-styled, turbocharged-4-cylinder boy racer model, right up through to its current design as a sophisticated yet distinctive-looking two-door with available V-6 power, the Mitsubishi Eclipse has long been tailor-made for the true driving enthusiast.

But after a long and successful run as the Japanese auto manufacturer's signature luxury performance sports coupe in North America, the always fun-to-drive Mitsubishi Eclipse will cease production after the upcoming 2012 model year.

Included amenities on the amply-equipped Eclipse GS-Sport models - and on the Eclipse SE - are a 4-speed automatic transmission, leather seating with heated front seats and a power driver's seat, rearview camera, Bluetooth hands-free phone access, HID headlights with fog lamps, heated side mirrors and an exquisite sounding 9 speaker, 650-watt Rockford Fosgate premium audio system with SIRIUS satellite radio. The coupe version of the Eclipse GS-Sport includes a sunroof as well.

The most affordably-priced version of the Eclipse remains the GS Coupe model. No-cost features include a 6 speaker 140-watt AM/FM/CD player with MP3 playing capability and an auxiliary audio input jack, air conditioning, 6 airbags, dual exhaust, blacked-out roof, 18-inch alloy wheels and automatic shut off headlights. The Eclipse GS Coupe comes equipped with a 5-speed manual while a 4-speed automatic transmission is available as an option.

Powering all of these aforementioned Eclipse Coupe and Spyder models is a very capable 162 horsepower, normally-aspirated 2.4-liter SOHC MIVEC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder engine.

Standard safety equipment on all Eclipse models includes 4-wheel disc anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD); Active Stability Control (ASC) and Traction Control Logic (TCL); and advanced dual front air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) and side air bags. Side curtain air bags are included on the Eclipse Coupe.