Total eclipse of the, um, Eclipse?

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This looks like the creation of a young car nut. But most automotive designers start off as young car nuts, so this shouldn’t be so surprising. What might cause eyebrows to raise is that we could be looking at the next Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe.

This teaser pic, pegged to the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit, shows a vehicle called the Concept-RA. So far, all the available info. states that its construction will employ lightweight and recyclable impact-resistant plastic panels set onto an aluminum space frame. With 200 horsepower coming from a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine, its power-to-weight ratio may not be so hot, but considering that this power plant is a turbodiesel making 310 pound-feet of torque, the RA’s twist-to-weight ratio should more than compensate.

This being a Mitsubishi, there’s always the chance that if this ever makes it into production, it will come with the company’s highly impressive all-wheel-drive system, which bristles with electronic innovation. Hey, throw in a dual-clutch transmission too, and this will easily eclipse the current Eclipse.

-- Colin Ryan