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There’s nothing subtle about the styling of Mitsubishi’s all-new Eclipse sport coupe. From its massive rear fenders to the colorful interior, the new Eclipse shouts to get your attention.

But then attention is really what the Eclipse is about. Older models have long been a favorite with young buyers, especially those who like to add big wheels and spoilers, and the new model has bold styling right from the factory.

The Eclipse, Eclipse Spyder, Galant and Endeavor are all built on the same assembly line at the plant in Normal, Ill.

The Eclipse is available in two trim levels, GS and GT. The GS, with a 2.4-liter, 162-horse engine, starts at $19,399. The GT, with a 3.8-liter V-6 and 263 horsepower, starts at $23,699. Automatic transmissions add $900.

Standard equipment on the GS includes power windows, mirrors and locks; keyless entry; cruise control; air conditioning; a height-adjustable driver seat; a CD player; alloy wheels; a spoiler; and a split-folding rear seat. The GT adds the V-6, a compass, a front strut tower bar and fog lights.

Options on the GS include a power moonroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and steering wheel audio controls. GT options include leather seating, automatic climate control and a power driver’s seat. Both models can upgrade to a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system with nine speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer in the trunk.

I drove a GT loaded with most every option.

The new Eclipse GT has grown up to be a grand touring coupe. It is taller and wider, which translates into more room for passengers, although the back seat is small and has very little legroom.

The 3.8-liter V-6 barks to life with a pleasant growl, and playing the exhaust’s audio sound track with the six-speed manual transmission was great fun. The engine makes good torque across a wide power band, so dipping into the throttle results in instant motion. The engine’s tractability is one of its most endearing traits.

When you want to hurry, bringing all 263 horses to attention is easy. Full throttle often results in fairly heavy torque steer as the front wheels tug to one side or the other. This was especially noticeable accelerating out of a turn.

The GT’s suspension has been tuned to provide a purposeful ride without being overly harsh, even with the optional 18-inch wheels. The Eclipse’s handling isn’t as accomplished as competitors such as the Nissan 350Z or Mustang GT.

Mitsubishi’s designers wanted the interior to be as wild as a concept car, and, for the most part, they succeeded.

While the test car’s bright copper color was a grabber, the tri-tone interior was almost over the top. The seats were copper and cream, while the dash and door panels were a combination of copper and gray. The deeply contoured seats had excellent support and were comfortable for long periods of time.

Back-seat legroom varies between snug and nearly non-existent, depending on how far back the front seats are pushed. Cars.com reports that some child safety seats won’t fit into the back seat.

While I would prefer a more subdued instrument panel, the layout and display was good. The gauges, in a small pod, look similar to those on a motorcycle. Ice-blue night lighting of the gauges and controls is visually quite arresting. An LCD screen high in the center of the dash provides readouts for the audio system.

The rear hatchback is large and heavy, and the trunk is fairly small. The huge 10-inch subwoofer speaker takes up valuable trunk space. The split folding rear seats allow the cargo area to be expanded.

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Price

The base price of the test car was $23,699. Options included leather seats, 18-inch wheels, Rockford stereo with subwoofer, automatic air conditioning, steering-wheel audio controls, heated front seats, heated outside mirrors, wheel locks, floor mats and alloy fuel door. The sticker price was $27,964.

Warranty

Three years or 36,000 miles.

Engine: 3.8-liter, 263-hp V-6

Transmission: Six-speed

Front-wheel drive

Wheelbase: 101.4 inches

Curb weight: 3,472 pounds

Base price: $23,699

As driven: $27,964

Mpg rating: 18 city, 27 hwy. At A Glance

Point: The Eclipse GT is fun to drive. The torquey, energetic engine has plenty of muscle without requiring full throttle to enjoy. The six-speed gearbox was a perfect mate.

Counterpoint: The overstated rear end looks disproportional, and the three-color interior is over the top. The back seat is tiny and the subwoofer takes up valuable trunk space.

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To get in touch with Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tstrongman@kc.rr.com.