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Restyled, bigger in every direction, and sporting a quick, new V-6 engine, the revamped Mitsubishi Eclipse takes off from where the old one left off.

Here is a distinctive new rendition of the affordable sports coupe that many drivers, but especially young ones, can aspire to. The styling is bound to raise some eyebrows, especially with those aggressive-looking horizontal strakes down the side panels. For those seeking an image-enhancing ride with decent performance, however, the Eclipse raises the bar without raising the price.

Especially appreciated is the larger interior, because the former Eclipse was seriously cramped. But it’s still basically a two-seater: the rear seat remains useless. Just treat it as a well-padded package shelf.

For the two people up front, however, the cabin is noticeably wider, with more headroom and legroom. The comfort level has been raised, too, with a more compliant ride on a stiffer platform, based on the new-generation Galant sedan.

Although it looks like a coupe and is called a coupe by Mitsubishi, the Eclipse actually is a hatchback, which somewhat raises its usefulness as an everyday automobile. The hatch is nicely integrated into the body lines.

Two performance items that won’t be back: turbocharging and all-wheel drive. The turbo-four has been replaced by an enjoyable 205-horsepower V-6 that revs freely and makes appropriately throaty sounds. Maybe a bit too throaty. Although it sounds fun and sporty out on the open road, it gets tiresome cruising around town or droning down the freeway.

Otherwise, however, it’s a sweet engine coupled with a good-shifting manual, much improved over the past generation. It’s not quite as precise as it could be, but shifts fall easily into place with a sporting snick, with gear ratios that are well-placed for performance driving.

The V-6 comes in the upgraded GT model, such as the test car, with the standard Eclipse motivated by a 140-horsepower in-line four. Prices start at about $17,700.

The other performance enhancement, all-wheel-drive, goes away for economic reasons: Hardly anyone was buying it. And the new chassis won’t accommodate it, anyway.

Front-wheel drive is a deterrent to full membership in the pony-car club, however, with the strong engine performance compromised by noticeable torque steer. The suspension is good, although in the GT model, perhaps too stiff and jouncy for some.

Part of what Mitsubishi is doing with its new Eclipse is moving it up to fill the gap left by the recently deceased 3000GT sports coupe (a k a Dodge Stealth), a car that went a bit too far upmarket and faded away. In some ways, the Eclipse resembles the 3000, especially in the look of the front fenders and the lower, wider, longer styling.

The test car came equipped with a $2,700 premium package that includes an upgraded stereo system (which sounded great), leather seats (including that package shelf), power driver’s seat, anti-lock brakes (which should be standard equipment), side air bags, a security system, a rear wiper and the obligatory rear spoiler.

Although the new Eclipse is a better size with improved performance, there are some negatives.

For one thing, although the interior is bigger, it’s not very attractive. The test car’s dashboard was bulbous, rolling and disorganized, and rendered in a monotonous flat black. Some of the gauges were sunk down in dust-catching pits, and others were just plain ugly.

And that body styling, although eye-catching and distinctive, seems over the top, a transparent “look-at-me” that might appeal to teen drivers but should put off those of a more mature bent. Those thick strakes are too much, some not-too-subtle reminders of Ferrari Testarosas as well as Pontiac Grand Ams.

Really, I like the shape, the size and the form of the new Eclipse exterior but not the details.

The test car had a beautifully pearlescent copper-red paint job with gold highlights th at, in certain light, glowed along the ridges of the fenders and on those strakes.

Although the hatchback is a welcome convenience, it is heavy to lift and annoyingly slow-moving on its hydraulic struts. And the lift-over height is significant.

And although the test car seemed screwed together pretty well, there were a couple of glitches, including an electric passenger-door window that wouldn’t budge and a sunroof that didn’t seem to seal right, creating wind roar.

However, people don’t buy the Eclipse for its convenience or utility, but because it’s a fun ride. The price is also reasonable enough that the younger drivers who appreciate it most can possibly afford it.

That is commendable, and Mitsubishi should be able to sell every one of these that it can crank out.

2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Vehicle type: Two-passenger (forget the back “seat”), two-door hatchback coupe, front-wheel drive.
Base price: $20,187.
Price as tested: $23,322.
Engine: 3-liter V-6, 205 hp at 5,500 rpm, 205 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm.
Transmission: 5-speed manual.
Curb weight: 3,053 pounds.
Wheelbase: 100.8 inches.
EPA mileage: 20 city, 28 highway.
Highs: Sporting image. Responsive engine. Driving comfort.
Lows: Ugly dashboard. Over-the-top styling. Quality glitches.