2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder (SE, GS Sport, GT) review

The new 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder convertible

Offering a very invigorating yet comfortable open-top touring experience, the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is an ideal choice for the consumer who enjoys their time behind the wheel of a spirited sporting machine while letting the unobstructed sun shine in.

2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder photo

This good-looking and very fun-to-drive soft-top sports car comes with a wide-array of luxury equipment and is now available in the limited edition SE model for 2012, along with the GS Sport and GT versions.

2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder photo

The 2012 Eclipse Spyder GS Sport’s (starting MSRP $27,999) standard equipment package is filled with luxurious touches including a 9-speaker 650-watt Rockford-Fosgate® premium AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 playback capability, a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, auxiliary audio input jack and a 3-month pre-paid service subscription to SIRIUS® satellite radio; heated front seats and side view mirrors; leather seating surfaces; power driver’s seat; Bluetooth® hands-free phone system; rear view camera; HID headlamps and aluminum pedals and entrance sill. Furthermore, air conditioning, automatic headlamp shut off; parabolic fog lamps; black-colored upper and lower grille sections; cruise control; steering wheel-mounted audio controls and leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel.

2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder photo

The Eclipse Spyder GT (starting MSRP $32,599) further ups the included accessories ante above and beyond that of the GS Sport by including a windscreen that helps to minimize wind buffeting and wind noise when driving sans roof, automatic climate control and improved performance thanks to the inclusion of a 265 horsepower 3.8-liter MIVEC V-6 engine paired with a 5-speed Sportronic® transmission.

2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder photo

The 2012 model year also features a special edition SE model as a member of the Eclipse Spyder lineup this iconic Mitsubishi model in its last year of production. This special SE edition has a 4-speed automatic transmission and includes everything the amenity-packed GS Sport has to offer, but with even more extraordinary styling. The Eclipse Spyder SE features special 18-inch alloy wheels with a dark argent finish, black side view mirrors and exclusive SE exterior side decaling.

2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder photo

Every Eclipse Spyder includes a well-constructed multi-layered cloth soft top that helps keep the cabin quiet by reducing sound intrusion when the top is closed. When viewed from within the vehicle, this convertible top looks very similar to the high-quality headliner found within the Eclipse Coupe. Including a rear glass window and defroster, the power top can quickly folds and stows out of sight beneath a powered tonneau cover in less than 20 seconds.

2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder photo

Both the Eclipse Spyder GS Sport and SE are powered by a refined 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 162 horsepower and routes power to the vehicle’s front wheels via a sublime-shifting 4-speed automatic transmission. All three versions – the GS Sport, SE and GT - possess automatic transmissions that allow the driver to manually navigate through the gears thanks to Mitsubishi's Sportronic ® shift technology. Both the 4- and 6-cylinder engines are equipped with Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) to maximize power production across a wide swath of the engine’s rev range and boost fuel efficiency.

Active safety features including advanced dual front air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with seat position and occupant sensors; head and thorax side air bags; Active Stability Control (ASC) and Traction Control Logic (TCL); and an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) are equipped on every 2012 Eclipse Spyder at no additional cost to the consumer.

2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder photo

Key Specifications

Wheelbase: 101.4 in.
Length: 180.4 in.
Height: 54.1 in.
Width: 72.2 in.
Curb weight: GS - 3,527 lbs. / GT - 3,763 lbs.

Major Standard Features

18-in alloy wheels
650-watt Rockford-Fosgate® premium audio system, including SIRIUS® satellite radio
Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with voice recognition
Rearview camera system
Leather seating surfaces
Heated front seats and side mirrors
Air conditioning
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Active Stability Control (ASC)
Electronic traction control
Cruise control
HID headlights
Dual-stage front air bag SRS with front passenger occupant sensors
Front seat mounted side-impact air bags
Engine immobilizer anti-theft system
120V accessory outlet in center console
Fog lamps
Keyless entry
Auxiliary input jack
Power cloth soft top with powered tonneau cover
Power windows, locks and mirrors
Power driver’s seat
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Eclipse Spyder SE adds:

18” alloy wheels w/ dark argent finish
Black side view mirrors
SE side Decal (exterior)

2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder photo

Eclipse Spyder GT adds:

265 bhp 3.8-liter V-6 engine
18-in. alloy wheels with 235/45R18 tires
Center display with outside temperature and compass
Larger ventilated rear disc brakes
Automatic climate control system
Wind deflector (removable)