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Mitsubishi Announces New Eclipse Spyder and Concept CT for Detroit

Mitsubishi is Pushing Electric Powered Propulsion System and Electric Powered Roof

Earlier this week, Mitsubishi announced that it will be bringing two important cars to the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit, an all-wheel drive sport compact concept as well as the convertible variant of its beautiful Eclipse sports car.

The first, dubbed Concept-CT is a compact, high-performance electric vehicle that uses some of the most advanced technology currently available. It builds off of Mitsubishis MIEV technology that has already been featured in a number of cars including the EVO IX MIEV and Colt MIEV concepts. While under continuous development, Mitsubishi related some of the MIEV systems latest

The Mitsubishi Concept-CT, a compact, high-performance electric vehicle that uses some of the most advanced technology currently available, will debut in Detroit this January. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America)

improvements in a pre-show press release. Building off of previous concepts unorthodox all-wheel drive system, which features four in-wheel hub style motors, it will get an improved form of the series-parallel electrical hybrid propulsion system in CT guise, to deliver increased power and an even longer cruising range - the most noted shortcoming of pure electric vehicles.

With talks on hydrogen powered vehicles and gasoline/diesel-electric hybrids, the electric car is a memory thats growing more distant

The new concept builds off of Mitsubishis MIEV technology that has already been featured in a number of cars including the EVO IX MIEV. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America)

by the day, but its something that the CT aims to reverse with the Californian-designed study. Styled and created specifically with the North American market in mind, the MIEV-powered concept aims to demonstrate that its pure-electric technology can aid in development of future vehicles down the road. Mitsubishi claims that the in-wheel electric motor would be revolutionary to the gasoline-electric hybrid market, making for fewer intrusive structural changes which in-turn would allow for more of its vehicles to be converted into energy-saving hybrids.
Mitsubishi is also using Americas biggest auto show to launch the long-awaited replacement to the Eclipse Spyder. Its well overdue, considering the third-gen Eclipse Spyder is still available, looking rather dated and

Mitsubishi is also using Americas biggest auto show to launch the long-awaited replacement to the Eclipse Spyder. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America)

old next to the newer, flashier Eclipse coupe. Making its production debut as a 2007 model, it builds upon the new Eclipse coupes larger than life show car looks, and real-world performance - but without the roof.

The convertible top mechanism is a quick power-folding soft top that hides under a hard body-color tonneau cover. Like the regular car, buyers have a choice between a pair of engines starting with the 2.4-liter inline-four with 163-horsepower, or the big 260-hp 3.8-liter V6. Both cars feature Mitsus three-stage MIVEC variable valve timing and a choice between a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual.

With little information and photo teasers, theres plenty more technology to talk about with the Concept CT. Look for a concept overview closer to the time of the show containing more information about this unique electric sports compact. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi has announced the Eclipse Spyder will go on sale during spring 2006, arriving in dealerships as a 2007 model-year product.

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