FOR 1999, MITSUBISHI MOTORS IS READY FOR LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
Mirage Coupe, Eclipse and 3000GT Offer Style, Performance and Value

With the recent demise of several sporty cars - from the Nissan 200SX and 240SX to Toyota Supra - it's refreshing to see Mitsubishi Motors still has three distinct offerings. In fact, with its Mirage Coupe, Eclipse and 3000GT, Mitsubishi Motors is one of only a handful of automobile companies ready for the fast lane with compact two doors, sport coupes, convertibles and grand touring sports cars.

Each member of Mitsubishi Motors' sporty car trio offers a combination of aggressive design, fun-to-drive performance and value. And keeping in mind that buyers have a variety of needs, the company offers several different sport car models in a stair-stepped pricing and performance structure.

Mirage Coupe compact

Mirage Coupe may be Mitsubishi Motors' entry level sporty car, but, its value, confident handling and aggressive looks dispel the illusion that all inexpensive small cars are ugly, dull and less than well built. In fact, Mirage Coupe's chiseled, muscular look could fit well in any international setting.

Mirage Coupe DE  is one of the least expensive sports coupes on the market, but, you'd be hard pressed to tell. With a 1.5-liter SOHC engine, Mirage Coupe DE is designed for economy and value, although a long list of standard equipment - from cloth, high-back bucket seats with matching door panels to power steering - keeps it from being a typical subcompact penalty box. And, Mirage Coupe DE was even named in 1998 as one of the "greenest cars" on the market by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

Mirage Coupe LS, with its 113-horsepower, 1.8-liter 16-valve engine, is the pocket-rocket in the line. With its alloy wheels, aggressive rear spoiler and side air dam, fog lights, sport bucket seats and new black-on-white gauges, Mirage Coupe LS lets the world know it means business.

If you feel as though an affordable, well-built sporty car with the performance to back up its aggressive looks is just an illusion, the 1999 Mirage Coupe may just be the car you've been imagining.

Eclipse sports coupe

One step up in the Mitsubishi Motors' sports coupe family is its U.S.-assembled Eclipse which consistently puts competitors in its shadow. Not only is Eclipse one of the most popular cars the company sells, it is one of the best-selling import brands in its class, typically outselling the competition month after month.

Eclipse's phenomenal success is due to its unique combination of exotic performance, an exterior design that could easily double as an auto show concept car, and value-oriented pricing. In all, Eclipse has everything - from performance, styling and handling - that make it a great form of rapid transit. Eclipse is also available with several different engine and drive configurations that fit a large variety of sports coupe buyers.

Eclipse RS and the sportier Eclipse GS have a 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve engine and a long list of standard equipment. And, the GS is now available with a Sports Value Package that adds 16-inch O-Z Racing wheels, a turbo-style hoop rear spoiler, leather interior trim, special black-on-white gauges and an AM/FM stereo with both cassette and compact disc players - all at a discounted price.

Eclipse Spyder GS has a 2.4-liter, 141-horsepower* engine, while the Eclipse Spyder GS-T shares the 2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled engine from the GS-T coupe. Especially rare in this class, both Eclipse Spyder models have a cloth power top and glass rear window with electric rear defroster.

With its exotic styling and performance, Eclipse Spyder is ready for top-down explorations of the solar system. Yet, with its practical benefits, this convertible is certainly down to earth.

3000GT grand touring sports car

Mitsubishi Motors' 3000GT models are perhaps the ultimate grand touring cars. With a high performance heart and comfortable soul, 3000GT is easy to get in and out of, and once inside, there are wide, multi-adjustable front seats available in either sport cloth or available leather. Its 2+2 seating and 11 cubic foot cargo capacity are other treats compared to other vehicles in its class.

All three 3000GT models are similar inside and out, but, they vary significantly in their powertrains, drive configurations and suspension components. All are created through variations of the same 3.0-liter V6, four-wheel independent suspension, and four-wheel brake system. This allows Mitsubishi Motors to offer the 3000GT in various price and performance levels.

The 3000GT line includes the 161-horsepower 3000GT, the sport- and luxury-equipped 218-horsepower 3000GT SL, and the king-of-the-hill, twin-turbocharged, all-wheel drive 320-horsepower 3000GT VR-4. A true grand touring sports car, 3000GT is perfect for any trip, whether it's across town or across country.

Considering its exotic styling and performance, the 3000GT remains one of the most revolutionary sports cars ever introduced. And since it has outlived most of its competition over the past eight years, 3000GT represents automotive "survival of the fittest" at its best.

Though the coupes and convertibles from Mitsubishi Motors are quite different from one another, each shares an extensive list of safety features to protect its passengers. All have dual front air bags safety cage construction, side guard door beams.

Considering the aggressive design, confident handling and overall value of Mirage Coupe, Eclipse and 3000GT, it's quite obvious Mitsubishi Motors will remain a player in the sporty car market. And, no matter which of the trio is your favorite, any one of them is perfect for life in the fast lane.