As one of the most poignant signs of the times, one automaker proudly touted its Japanese heritage, complete with authentic tribal music and dancers, as it debuted its new convertible at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. You know, the gig that takes place in Detroit, the heart of the domestic car industry. Company executives explained that the new marketing theme represents American car buyers’ respect for Japanese products. Couple that with Honda winning the show’s car and truck of the year awards, and one gets the sense that a few local boys are getting roughed up in their own house.

Those Japanese heritage comments came from the folks at Mitsubishi, who unveiled the 2007 Eclipse Spyder. This new take on the brand’s four-passenger convertible is available in GS and GT trims, with the former getting a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine pushing 162 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 162 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, though a four-speed automatic is available as an option. GT models get 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine that’s good for 260 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 258 lb.-ft. of twist at 4,500 rpm. This larger power plant is mated to either a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic. Mitsubishi reports a 0-60 mph time of about six seconds for the GT.

Distinguishing the 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder from its coupe counterpart is a power cloth convertible top that requires 19 seconds to fully retract, resting neatly under a streamlined tonneau cover. Like the coupe, the rear seat in the Spyder is best reserved for children or extremely small adults – the seatback is very narrow and almost vertical, with a subwoofer mounted between the back rests. Mmm, comfy. The trunk offers similar convenience, holding whatever can be stuffed into 5.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

Prices have not been finalized, though the base GS model will start somewhere south of $26,000. Look for the 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder to arrive at your local dealer later this year.

Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi