Looking back through today's rose-tinted spectacles, virtually all Eclipses built during that first generation seemed to be GSX versions. In reality, the GSX was a relatively rare variant; most Eclipses were front-drivers even back then. But the GSX wasn't just decently quick (think 0-60mph in 6.6 seconds and the quarter-mile going by in 14.8 seconds at 91.1 mph, according to a Motor Trend test of a 1994 model), it also responded exceptionally well to turbo tricks. Private owners were soon running the quarter in the 13s. Then the 12s. And then the 11s. The 4G63 seemed to have an infinite appetite for boost and the all-wheel drive system made good use of the resulting power. It was, to give it the praise it deserves, the Evo of its time.
Introduced alongside the Eclipse was a new Japanese-built Galant sedan that shares most of its mechanical bits with that coupe. A slick handler, particularly in GSX form (which included the naturally aspirated 4G63 DOHC 2.0-liter four), the Galant was a viable alternative for enthusiasts who needed to haul people too. It was particularly attractive (though it never sold well) as the Galant VR-4, available between 1991 and 1994 and running the all-wheel drive system and turbocharged engine from the Eclipse GSX.
In contrast, the 3000GT (and its twin, the Dodge Stealth) was just plain big. While it rode on the same 97.2-inch wheelbase as the first Eclipse, at 179.7 inches overall, it was almost seven inches longer than its little brother, and almost six inches wider. Unsurprisingly, it used a series of 3.0-liter V6 engines ranging from a 161bhp SOHC version in the base front-driver, to a DOHC version making 222bhp and, ultimately, the twin-turbo version in the all-wheel-drive VR4 making 300bhp.
As glorious as a supersonic freight train, the 3000GT VR4 still has a solid following. But even though it would eventually be sold with 320bhp and as an incredibly complex (and heavy) Spyder with a retractable hardtop, the 3000GT was simply too big, over engineered and therefore too expensive for its own good. Production stopped in 1999.
While the second-generation Eclipse (introduced as a 1995 model) was slightly larger than the original, it was also better looking and was still available in GSX form with 210bhp from the 4G63 2.0-liter four. A Spyder convertible version came out in 1996.
But although this Eclipse was nothing but good news, Mitsu's focus was slipping. The Galant introduced during 1994 had little sporting verve and only a 2.4-liter four at the top of its range. Meanwhile, the company was expanding its SUV offerings with vehicles like the 1997 Montero Sport, free of any sporting pretensions. Worst of all, Mitsubishi never brought the spectacular Lancer Evolution to America, even though the first one entered production in 1992.
By the time the 3000GT and second Eclipse ceased production after the 1999 model year, and the Galant grew into a V6-powered cruiser or four-cylinder rental fleet standard, it seemed that Mitsbishi had given up on performance altogether.