The marque of Mitsubishi mounts on four different cars in 2006 for the North American market plus three sport-utility vehicles and a new mid-size truck. Eclipse, the sporty 2+2 coupe, pops out of Mitsubishi's Illinois assembly plant in a bold new design this year, while the truck -- called Raider -- rolls out of a Chrysler factory in Michigan with V8 power plus Extended Cab and Double Cab versions.

Mitsubishi's glitzy mid-size sedan for 2006 trims as Galant DX the price leader and popular equipment ES, luxury-laced LS and top-end GTS. Cabin decor varies, beginning with a black treatment for DX, metallic silver highlights on ES and fine leather for GTS. Muscle to power Galant stems from four-cylinder and V6 engines. The base four displaces 2.4 liters and nets 160 hp, while the 3.8-liter V6 engine makes 230 hp.

Galant DE stocks the four-cylinder plant and a four-speed automatic transaxle with disc brakes, while Galant ES upgrades with anti-lock brake system (ABS) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD). Galant LS V6 gets the automatic transmission with Sportronic manual mode and a traction control system (TCS), and GTS V6 shows sporty suspension tweaking plus projector headlamps up front. A new package for ES and LS adds leather upholstery, heated seats and power controls for the driver's bucket.

Upgrades in safety equipment and a revamped front fascia characterize the 2006 Lancer, a compact sedan. Mitsubishi casts Lancer in three editions. Two trims pull from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that nets 120 hp and connects to a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic. Lancer ES is the base issue, with Lancer O-Z Rally wearing sporty body additions inspired by rally racers. Lancer Ralliart draws on Lancer Evolution for styling and brings more hardware, such as a taut-tuned suspension, sport bucket seats and larger disc brakes, and more power from a 2.4-liter four with 162 hp.

A Sun & Sound package for OZ and Ralliart installs a power glass sunroof, 315-watt Infinity audio system and seat-mounted side air bags, while the Convenience Package for Lancer ES adds a remote keyless entry device, cruise control, variable wipers and rear seatback split 60/40 with armrest.

This is the street-legal version of Mitsubishi's trophy-grabbing World Rally Championship (WRC) racer. Consider it a high-performance version of the Lancer compact sedan but motivated by a souped-up turbo engine and equipped with all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction, a bulging air scoop on the hood, pontoon-style fenders, high-strength alloy wheels, a carbon-fiber spoiler on the tail and the cockpit fitted with bolstered Recaro sport bucket seats. Big Brembo ventilated disc brakes at all wheels tie to a four-channel anti-lock brake system (ABS).

The heart of Evo is its power-pumping engine. For 2006 the 2.0 -liter four-in-line - turbo-charged and inter-cooled - gets the Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and lift Electronic Control system to deliver 286 hp. Trims are notched as Evo RS, IX and MR. MR carries a six-speed close-ratio manual transmission, BBS forged alloy wheels, fast-response Bilstein shocks and aluminum roof that lowers the center of gravity.

Mitsubishi's California designers deliver a sleek and fresh expression for Eclipse in 2006. It's new from rails to roof with a wider track and longer wheelbase, a stiffer unibody structure, more room for riders and more spark on tap from four-pack and six-pack powertrains. There's only one body style - a two-door hatchback coupe - but two trim variations that each carry a different engine.

Eclipse GS is the bottom-price model with a four-cylinder engine tied to a five-speed manual gearbox or optional four-speed automatic with Sportronic sequential shift control. The 2.4-liter in-line-four makes 162 hp. Eclipse GT brings a 3.8-liter MIVEC V6 and soars to 263 hp through a six-speed manual or five-speed Sportronic automatic. GT's Premium Sport Package adds leather upholstery, automatic air conditioning, a sunroof, 18-inch wheels and premium Rockford Fosgate audio equipment with steering wheel controls. (CONTINUED...)