MMNA to end production of the Eclipse and Endeavor this week.

NORMAL -- The last of the Eclipse coupes, Spyder convertibles and Endeavor SUVs will roll off Mitsubishi assembly lines at the end of the week.

Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Normal plant will then begin a retooling process that will result in the production of the Outlander Sport crossover SUV by mid-2012. Mitsubishi Motors North America will produce the Galant for about another year.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

MMNA spokesman Dan Irvin said the plant's 1,300 workers are somewhat sentimental as they say goodbye to the current models, but are excited about the future. In February, Japanese parent company Mitsubishi Motors Corp. announced a $100 million investment in the plant to produce the Outlander Sport.

"The Eclipse and Spyder are something our brand was identified with," said Irvin. "But I think everybody is looking ahead and focuses very much on that. Whether you get a new job, or house, or appliance, or car, you're more excited about the new one and the opportunities to come than dwelling on what got you this far."

Mitsubishi Endeavor

The Eclipse, Spyder and Endeavor will be available for purchase through at least the end of 2011, and MMNA will continue to make service parts for those models for six to seven years, said Irvin.

Mitsubishi Motors Celebrates Eclipse Model Legacy with the 2012 Special Edition Coupe and Spyder [US]

Mitsubishi Motors Celebrates Eclipse Model Legacy with the 2012 Special Edition Coupe and Spyder

2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe SE

From its early days as a sleekly-styled, turbocharged-4-cylinder boy racer model, right up through to its current design as a sophisticated yet distinctive-looking two-door with available V-6 power, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe and Eclipse Spyder have long been tailor-made for the true driving enthusiast.

But after a long and successful run as the Japanese auto manufacturer's signature luxury performance sports coupe in North America, the always fun-to-drive Mitsubishi Eclipse will cease production after the upcoming 2012 model year.

To mark the occasion, the outgoing 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe and Eclipse Spyder will be available in a unique SE Special Edition that will feature eye-catching exterior features including special "SE" side decaling, black side mirrors and handsome 18-in. dark finish alloy wheels, along with the extensive list of high-end standard features that can be found on the Eclipse GS-Sport versions of both the hardtop and convertible models.

Included amenities on the amply-equipped Eclipse GS-Sport models are a 4-speed automatic transmission, leather seating with heated front seats and a power driver's seat, rearview camera, Bluetooth® hands-free phone access, HID headlights with fog lamps, heated side mirrors and an exquisite sounding 9 speaker, 650-watt Rockford Fosgate® premium audio system with SIRIUS® satellite radio. The coupe version of the Eclipse GS-Sport includes a sunroof as well.

09 Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder to be unveiled at 08 Chicago Auto Show

CHICAGO — The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe and convertible will make their debuts at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, with mostly modest updates, including revised front and rear styling.

The big change for the coming year is a new dual exhaust system for the Eclipse GT, which bumps output on the 3.8-liter V6 to 265 horsepower and torque to 262 pound-feet. The V6 can be mated to either a standard six-speed manual gearbox or an optional Sportronic five-speed with manual shift capability.

The Eclipse GT also adds standard stability control, HID headlamps and a large rear spoiler. All Eclipse models feature standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution. The GT gets larger ventilated rear discs.

-InsideLine