In a bold move that signals Mitsubishi’s renewed commitment to the European automotive landscape, the Japanese manufacturer has announced the transformation of its Eclipse Cross model into a fully electric SUV. This strategic pivot, revealed recently by Mitsubishi Motors, marks a significant milestone in the company’s evolving relationship with its alliance partner Renault and represents a critical step in its electrification journey for the European continent.
The Revival of an Icon in Electric Form
The Eclipse Cross, which has served as Mitsubishi’s compact SUV offering since 2018, is undergoing a complete reinvention. Unlike its predecessor, which was initially available only with combustion engines before adding a plug-in hybrid variant in 2021, the new Eclipse Cross will be exclusively electric. This transformation isn’t merely a powertrain swap but represents a ground-up redesign that leverages Renault’s expertise in electric vehicle technology.
Production of the current Eclipse Cross was discontinued in 2024, creating a natural transition point for this electric evolution. Mitsubishi has confirmed plans to unveil the redesigned model in September 2025, with deliveries scheduled to commence by the end of that year. This timeline positions the Eclipse Cross electric SUV as a key player in Mitsubishi’s strategy to regain market share in Europe after previously scaling back its presence.
Renault’s Influence: Platform Sharing and Manufacturing
The new Eclipse Cross will ride on Renault’s advanced AmpR Medium platform, the same architecture underpinning the Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric. This platform sharing is a direct outcome of the restructured Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, which has evolved to focus on practical collaborations rather than the deeper integration initially envisioned.
In a significant departure from traditional Mitsubishi manufacturing processes, the Eclipse Cross will be produced by Renault at its Douai plant in France. This arrangement mirrors similar collaborations within the alliance, such as Nissan’s decision to have its electric Micra built at the same facility.
Renault CEO Luca de Meo confirmed this arrangement in autumn 2023, stating: “I can confirm that Mitsubishi will produce a C-SUV EV for the world on the AmpR Medium platform, of course in Douai, and of course all electric.” This statement underscored the alliance’s commitment to leveraging shared resources while maintaining distinct brand identities.
Technical Specifications and Performance Expectations
While complete technical details remain under wraps until the official September reveal, Mitsubishi has disclosed that the Eclipse Cross will feature two different battery options, ensuring competitive electric ranges to meet diverse consumer needs. Drawing parallels with the Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric, which shares the same platform, we can reasonably expect battery capacities of approximately 60 kWh and 87 kWh.
These battery configurations would likely pair with electric motors producing around 125 kW (168 hp) or 160 kW (215 hp) of power, similar to those found in Renault’s electric offerings. Such specifications would position the Eclipse Cross competitively within the growing electric C-segment SUV market, offering both efficiency and performance options.
The use of the established AmpR Medium platform suggests the Eclipse Cross will benefit from Renault’s extensive electric vehicle development experience, potentially offering features like fast-charging capability and sophisticated battery thermal management systems that have become hallmarks of the French manufacturer’s EV technology.
Distinctive Design with European Influence
Despite sharing underpinnings with Renault models, Mitsubishi has emphasized that the Eclipse Cross will maintain a distinct visual identity. The company describes the upcoming model as having a “confident and futuristic EV design” that was developed under the supervision of Mitsubishi Motors Europe Design center near Frankfurt, Germany.
Most notably, the new Eclipse Cross will incorporate the next generation of Mitsubishi’s signature “Dynamic Shield” front fascia. This design element has been a defining characteristic of Mitsubishi vehicles in recent years, creating a bold and instantly recognizable face for the brand’s lineup. Its evolution for the electric era promises to blend traditional Mitsubishi design language with modern EV aesthetics.
The European-led design process highlights Mitsubishi’s understanding that success in the competitive European market requires products tailored to regional tastes. By entrusting this responsibility to its German design center, the company acknowledges the importance of European design sensibilities while maintaining its Japanese engineering heritage.
Advanced Technology Integration
Beyond its electric powertrain, the new Eclipse Cross will showcase Mitsubishi’s commitment to cutting-edge technology. The company has announced that the vehicle will feature advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and a state-of-the-art infotainment system with Google Built-in functionality.
This technology package aims to provide comprehensive safety features and connectivity options that contemporary European consumers expect. The integration of Google’s ecosystem suggests seamless smartphone integration, voice commands, and access to a wide range of applications directly through the vehicle’s interface.
Mitsubishi’s emphasis on these technological aspects reflects an understanding that modern electric vehicles compete not only on range and performance metrics but also on their digital capabilities and user experience.
Historical Context: Mitsubishi’s Electric Journey
The transformed Eclipse Cross represents a significant milestone in Mitsubishi’s electric vehicle history. It will be the first all-electric vehicle launched by the company in Europe since 2010, when the Mitsubishi i-MiEV became the world’s first mass-produced electric car from a major manufacturer.
Following the i-MiEV’s pioneering role, Mitsubishi shifted its focus toward plug-in hybrid technology, particularly with its successful Outlander PHEV. This strategic reorientation toward fully electric vehicles aligns with broader industry trends and regulatory pressures driving the European market toward electrification.
The Eclipse Cross electric SUV thus represents both a return to Mitsubishi’s early EV leadership and an acknowledgment of the market’s decisive shift toward battery electric vehicles as the primary solution for sustainable mobility.
Market Positioning and Strategic Importance
The timing of the Eclipse Cross electric SUV is particularly significant given the implementation of increasingly stringent emissions regulations across Europe. As carmakers face potential fines for exceeding CO2 emissions thresholds, the introduction of zero-emission vehicles has become not just an environmental consideration but a financial imperative.
For Mitsubishi, which has seen its European presence diminish in recent years, the electric Eclipse Cross offers an opportunity to reestablish itself in a market segment with strong growth potential. The compact electric SUV category continues to expand as consumers increasingly seek vehicles that combine the popular crossover form factor with environmentally conscious powertrains.
Moreover, by leveraging Renault’s established electric vehicle technology and manufacturing capacity, Mitsubishi can bring this critical model to market more quickly and cost-effectively than developing it independently. This pragmatic approach maximizes the practical benefits of the alliance while allowing each brand to maintain its distinct identity and target audience.
Alliance Dynamics in Transition
The development of the Eclipse Cross electric SUV unfolds against the backdrop of an evolving relationship between Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi. While the alliance has faced challenges and restructuring in recent years, this collaboration demonstrates its continued relevance in addressing the substantial investments required for the transition to electric mobility.
Similar to Mitsubishi’s arrangement, Nissan recently confirmed plans to have its electric Micra built at Renault’s Ampere plant in Douai, using the AmpR Small platform that also underpins the Renault R5. These parallel developments illustrate how platform sharing and manufacturing consolidation have become essential strategies for traditional automakers navigating the electric transition.
The Eclipse Cross project thus serves as a practical example of how automotive alliances can function effectively even as they move away from more ambitious integration goals toward more focused, project-based collaborations.
Consumer Implications and Market Reception
For European consumers, the electric Eclipse Cross promises to deliver Mitsubishi’s renowned reliability and distinctive styling combined with Renault’s proven electric vehicle technology. This combination could prove particularly appealing to buyers seeking alternatives to the increasingly homogenized offerings from many mainstream manufacturers.
The retention of the Eclipse Cross nameplate—despite the comprehensive redesign—indicates Mitsubishi’s confidence in the brand equity this model has built since its introduction. While purists might note the substantial departure from the original Eclipse sports car that lent its name to this crossover, the continuation of the naming tradition maintains a connection to Mitsubishi’s heritage while embracing its electric future.
Early market reception will likely depend on several factors, including the final pricing strategy, which has not yet been announced. However, by manufacturing in France and leveraging alliance-wide economies of scale, Mitsubishi may be able to offer competitive pricing while maintaining profitable margins—a critical consideration in the still-developing electric vehicle market.
Environmental and Regulatory Context
The transformation of the Eclipse Cross into an electric-only model reflects the broader regulatory environment in Europe, where policies increasingly favor zero-emission vehicles. From urban low-emission zones to national incentive programs and EU-wide emissions targets, the regulatory landscape has clearly signaled the direction of automotive evolution.
By committing to an electric-only approach for the new Eclipse Cross, Mitsubishi aligns itself with this regulatory reality while potentially avoiding the complications of maintaining multiple powertrain options for different markets. This streamlined approach could yield manufacturing and development efficiencies while ensuring compliance with current and future regulations.
Furthermore, the decision to manufacture in France potentially allows the Eclipse Cross to qualify for various European incentive programs that favor locally produced electric vehicles, enhancing its market competitiveness.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Mitsubishi in Europe
The transformation of the Eclipse Cross into an electric SUV with Renault styling and technology represents more than just a model update—it signifies Mitsubishi’s renewed commitment to the European market and its embrace of an electric future. By leveraging the strengths of its alliance partner while maintaining its distinctive design identity, Mitsubishi has crafted a strategy that addresses both the challenges and opportunities of automotive electrification.
As the September 2025 reveal approaches, industry observers and potential customers alike will be watching closely to see how this rejuvenated Eclipse Cross balances Japanese design heritage with French electric expertise. The success of this model could well determine Mitsubishi’s trajectory in Europe for years to come, making it one of the most significant launches in the company’s recent history.
For a brand with a storied past and an uncertain future in the European market, the electric Eclipse Cross may represent exactly the right vehicle at exactly the right time—a bridge between Mitsubishi’s pioneering electric vehicle history and its aspirations in the competitive landscape of tomorrow’s automotive industry.