Competition This new larger Eclipse enters a market positively glutted with attractive sport coupes and will have to stare down a group of recently introduced models that have collectively raised the bar for the sport coupe category.

This new larger 2006 Eclipse enters a market positively glutted with attractive sport coupes. From affordable choices like the Hyundai Tiburon and Scion tC to slightly pricier alternatives like the Nissan 350Z and Mazda RX-8, the Eclipse will have to stare down a group of recently introduced models that have collectively raised the bar for the sport coupe category.

In its favor, the Eclipse has a head-turning new shape, a pair of powerful new engines, and a long list of standard comfort, convenience, and safety features going for it. Add reasonable sticker prices starting at just under $20,000 and the Eclipse comes to this street fight well armed.

And it’s a good thing, too, as Mitsubishi has a lot riding on the success of this new model. The company’s sales have been down by 40 percent overall in the first four months of this year compared to 2004. Creating a turnaround on that scale is a lot to ask of any new car introduction but the folks at Mitsubishi are hoping to pull it off nonetheless.