SNEAK PREVIEW
The 2001 Eclipse Spyder & Montero
of these two exciting vehicles, and here's the latest info...
- MFulmer, Editor-In-Chief)




click on thumbnail for fullscreen version
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder: What's New For 2001

From the improved convertible top to the reinforced chassis, the 2001 Spyder is a completely new vehicle. Following is a list of the major changes compared to the first-generation, 1996-1999 model-year Spyder.
SEE ALSO: Mitsubushi Buyer's Guide
Chassis/Exterior
· All-new convertible top
· All-new convertible top seals
· All-new unit-body and chassis structure
· All-new passenger safety cage construction
· All-new front strut suspension

· New front strut tower brace
· Larger standard wheels and tires (16-inch GS/17-inch GT)
· Increase in chassis bending strength: + 65 percent
· Increase in chassis twisting strength: + 9 percent
· Longer wheelbase: + 2 inches
Drivetrain
· New 3.0-liter V6 engine (GT)
· New optional SportronicTM Sequential Shift 4-speed automatic
Interior Features

· New interior design and packaging
· Improved interior ergonomics
· More overall passenger room: + 1.5 cubic feet
· More rear leg room: + 1.0 inch
· More trunk space: + 2.1 cubic feet
· Standard Mitsubishi/Infinity~ Premium Audio System
· Standard engine immobilizer anti-theft system
· Standard dual accessory power outlets
Safety Features
· New optional side air bags (GT)
· New optional traction control (GT)
· New front passenger seatbelt force limiters
· Greater frontal- and offset-frontal-impact protection
· Greater side-impact protection
· Improved outward vision
Mitsubishi Montero: What's New for 2001

From the new unibody chassis to the 4-wheel fully independent suspension, the 2001 Montero is a completely redesigned sport utility vehicle. Following is a list of the major changes compared to the second generation, 1992-2000 model-year Montero.
PHOTO GALLERY




click on thumbnail for fullscreen version
Chassis
· Unitized body/chassis structure
· Fully independent front double wishbone/coil spring and rear multi-link/coil spring suspension
· Rack-and-pinion steering
· 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes
· MultiModeTM 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS)
· Electronic front-to-rear brake-force distribution (EBD)
· 16-inch alloy wheels
· 265/70R-16 tires
Drivetrain
· 4-speed automatic w/driver-adaptive shift controls (XLS)
· SportronicTM Sequential-Shift 5-speed automatic w/driver-adaptive shift controls (Limited)
· Water-to-oil automatic transmission cooler
· Part-time 4WD with 2-speed transfer case and shift-on-the-fly (XLS)
· ActiveTracTM 4WD with electronic engagement: 2WD/AWD/4WD with two-speed transfer case (high/low range) (Limited)
· Torque-sensing limited-slip rear differential w/viscous coupler (Std. Limited, Opt. XLS)
Enqine

· Horsepower: 200 @ 5000 rpm (50-state rating)
·Torque: 235 @3000 rpm (50-state rating) + 7 lb.-ft. vs. '00 Montero
·Cold-air induction system
· Large-capacity exhaust system
· Single serpentine accessory drive belt
· Larger-diameter, lower rpm cooling fan
· Metal matrix head gaskets
· Reprofiled torque-enhancing camshafts
· Liquid-filled motor mounts
· Structural aluminum oil pan
Safety Features
· Standard front passenger-side air bags
· Front and rear crumple zones
· Safety cage construction
· Center chassis-mounted fuel tank
· Carbon fiber, impact-absorbing driveshaft
· Head impact-protecting interior roof pillar material
· Spare tire repositioned for better outward rear vision
Interior Features

· Fully automatic climate control (Opt. Limited)
· Rear air conditioning/heating system (Opt. Limited)
· Forward located power glass sunroof (Std. Limited, Opt. XLS )
· Removable cargo door-mounted tool kit
· LCD center information display w/compass, outside temp., distance to
· empty, date and time (Limited)
· Fore-and-aft-adjustable front center arm rest
· Fold-down 2nd-row center arm rest with dual cup holder
· Power driver's lumbar support (Limited)
· Dual glove box