‘Enough is Enough’. How often as child did you hear one or both your parents saying that (often accompanied by an accusing finger wagged in your general direction?
When it comes to automobiles, there is also a level of ‘enough is enough’ in the seemingly endless striving for greater levels of technology and more electrickery to be added to the vehicles we drive on a daily basis.
Make no mistake, there is simply no room – or excuse – for any vehicle not to be comprehensively kitted with lifesaving aids such as anti-lock braking, anti-skid control, multiple crash bags and the like, but there is a tipping point where too much tech simply confuses owners or just gets ignored.
Swopping between the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 4×2 and another manufacturer’s vehicle that simply bristles with technology, I began to seriously itemise the things I personally used (as in could activate or de-activate) against those I would be unlikely to use if I actually owned the vehicle.
Obviously, not all people are the same and those I disliked could be indispensable to others – a small example being the fact I detest heads up displays as I find them irritating and distracting, so it gets turned off immediately.
Which brings us round to the question, when is ‘enough actually enough?’
There simply is no right or wrong answer to the question but, by way of final illustration, I recall some years ago a new entrant to the local market being presented to the assembled motoring media where it was produly announced there were some 80 possible settings that could be made on the central console touchscreen.
Whoop Whoop! Around 75 of those may be made once in the entire life of the car and never touched again but each one is something that could go wrong and each one added cost at both retail level and in terms of service. Suffice it to say that brand is no longer in this market.
So, how does this all relate to the Eclipse Cross. Just that, in driving it, I could not find anything (for me) missing in the way in which it was fettled, whether its usage was intended for daily transport, a Mom’s Taxi or touring the country side.
The Eclipse Cross is powered by a 2,0-litre MIVEC DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine that uses ECI-Multi Point Fuel Injection with an output of 110 kW at 6 000 r/min and 198 Nm of torque at 4 200 r/min.
Coupled to this engine, the INVECS-III CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with a 6-step Sports Mode delivers good acceleration from any speed, slick gear changes and a smooth ride. The driver can also control the shift steps via the Paddle Shifts behind the steering wheel. Keeping the engine at optimum performance at all times, the CVT enhances fuel efficiency.
All this is possible due to a new modified torque converter & damper assembly, changes in final gear ratios and software.
Regular readers will know I am not a great fan of CVT gearboxes but Mitusibhis seem to have a handle on theirs and it did not whine its way to finding a gear and made positive moves both up and down the range.
Equally, ride comfort and road-holding were both good on the tar and doing some low flying on dirt roads – where, mercifully, the standard traction control allows a good dose of sideways before stepping in.
In normal driving conditions it is capable, sure-footed and keeps a faitly neutral stance when pushed into a corner enthusiastically. The suspension works well to soak up road ripples and this makes it a good companion on a long journey.
At the launch I expressed some reservations about the combo rear light bar cum spoiler that splits the rear window. Now, having spent a week driving one, I am happy rear vision is not compromised too much, but still do not like it – although, it must be said, it does suit the external appearance.
On the inside the Eclipse Cross offers bolstered seats giving the driver relaxed support and standard fare includes tilt and telescopic steering wheel, multi-function leather steering wheel with audio and cruise control. bluetooth with hands-free voice control, paddle shifts, power windows (front and rear), driver window auto up/down function, automatic air-conditioning with rear passenger vent duct, leather seats, slide and tilt-adjustable rear seats with 60/40 split. electrically adjustable driver seat, heated front seats and accessory sockets and USB ports.
It has seven crash bags, including driver and front passenger, side and curtain crash bags and a driver knee unit.
It features RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) Body Construction, ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors, Anti-lock Braking System, AYC (Active Yaw Control), EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution), BAS (Brake Assist System), HAS (Hill Start Assist System), ASTC (Active Stability and Traction Control) and a Keyless Operating System.
Mitsubishi claims fuel consumption of 7,9 l/100 km (combined cycle) for the 4×2 – we averaged 9,5 l/100 km for the test cycle.
The Eclipse Cross is roomy inside and provides excellent forward and side-view vision – two reasons why the small and medium SUV markets continue to grow locally and internationally and will keep on growing as roads become more congested and damaged.
In all aspects, the Eclipse Cross provided exactly the right amount of ‘enough’ to be enough.
