Mitsubishi Mirage

Mitsubishi Mirage is a conventional looking hatchback that suitably qualifies as an urban car. It certainly cannot boasts about its appearance but for mileage, Mirage gives a thumps up. With just a 1.0 litre 3 cylinder petrol engine under the hood in Japanese version, Mirage is capable of delivering a good 30 kmpl of mileage. The figure will be challenging to be attained in Indian version as experts suggest that a slightly powerful 1.2 L petrol engine will make it to Indian market. It will be a dicey thing to guess the launch date of the car in India.

The Mitsubishi Mirage is a subcompact car produced by Mitsubishi Motors from 1978 to 2002 in Japan. It was also sold as the Mitsubishi Colt or Lancer Fiore. Various generations of Mirage were sold in different car markets after this but the car could not garner much success. The Colt is renamed back to Mirage now as the former was an underperforming hatch. And then, the sixth generation Mitsubishi Mirage was previewed as a global small concept car at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show. Finally, Mitsubishi relaunched this old brand at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. Mitsubishi has resurrected the Mirage badge after seven years at the auto show.  Now, India may soon be a probable market for this hatch. Mitsubishi already floats 6 car models in India namely Mitsubishi Cedia, Mitsubishi Lancer, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Mitsubishi Montero, Mitsubishi Outlander and Mitsubishi Pajero. Lancer, one of the good-sellers of 90s has now lost its sheen while the others which have gained global recognition could not strike a chord with Indian customers. The legendary Pajero has also failed to show a decent sales figure these months. Mirage will be the 7th addition to the profile of the company and the first hatchback to be rolled out from Mitsubishi in India. The car which can prove to be a volume puller for Mitsubishi India is being produced in Thailand as of now and will go on sale in March, 2012 there.

With a new look and a more fuel efficient engine, the car looks more promising than ever before. The reason behind the appraisable mileage is a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) gearbox that makes the engine more efficient. CVT will obviously save the customers from shelling out extra bucks for pricey fuel in India. The CVT is combined with an engine start-stop management that automatically stops the engine when one halts the car. Mirage will essentially be a front wheel drive car. The car can definitely be accorded as the budget wagon with reasonable fuel economy and a decent price tag-all the ingredients required for making a perfect Indian car and to sell it in huge volumes.

The small hatchback from the Japanese car manufacturer fills the bill perfectly with enough accommodation for four passengers aboard. This B segment hatchback is 3,710 mm in length, 1,665 mm wide and 1490 mm high and is particularly developed for the emerging markets. Unlike its older global models, this Mirage will be a four door proper hatchback car. Mirage will face a tough competition from the masters of B segment cars in India like Hyundai i10, Maruti A-Star, Nissan Micra, upcoming car Volkswagen UP and many more.

Low maintenance cost can also be a USP for the upcoming Mirage hatchback. However, an icing on the cake will be the CNG and LPG variants. Electric version will also be released by the company; however Indian market is not mature enough for electric vehicles as of now. The Mirage is a strategic model for the Japanese car maker to tap emerging markets as it looks to entice customers looking for entry-level vehicles, while the company aims to meet demand in major markets The president of Mitsubishi Motors Corp. claims that the euro-zone debt crisis, earthquake in Japan and uncertain U.S. economic outlook won't hurt sales of its new global small car model next year, targeting sales of 100,000 vehicles in its first year.

Mitsubishi is hoping an all-new city car bearing a tried-and-tested name that will add some vim to its lineup. Like any other car, 2012 Mitsubishi Mirage will cater to the needs of a common man on a lookout for a car for daily commuting purpose.

Mitsubishi Mirage mileage figures are spreading in the car industry like forest fire even before the launch of this car. The 2012 Mirage engine will be mated to a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) gearbox that makes the engine more efficient with the impressive fuel economy numbers. The version showcased in Tokyo Motor Show and which will go on sale in Thailand in March, 2012 is powered by a 1.0 litre petrol engine and boasts of delivering an exceptional 30 kmpl. However, Indian counterpart, whenever it will come, will arrive with a 1.2 litre petrol engine. Mitsubishi's MIVEC technology will feature in the engine, along with a new Auto Stop & Go system. The lightweight construction of the car will also contribute in better mileage of the hatchback.

Power figures are not yet revealed by Mitsubishi even for the Thailand version of Mirage. But car pundits say that the 1.2 litre petrol engine that will be equipped in the Mitsubishi Mirage India will be able to put out around 80 bhp of power and 110 Nm of torque. The exact figures will be unwrapped once the company throws more light on the Indian launch of the 4-wheeler.

Exact information about the acceleration and pick-up of Mitsubishi Mirage is unavailable at the moment but the car is expected to give a good competition to rivals in hatchback segment as its Thailand version claims a 30 kmpl of, mileage. The Indian version will have a 1.2 litre petrol engine if at all it arrives in the country. Mirage will also have low CO2 emissions with good maneuverability.

View Mitsubishi Mirage Exterior Pictures

Mitsubishi Mirage exteriors are dull and uncouth. They definitely cannot take the car a step further on the score card. All that duty is performed by the exceptional mileage of the hatch. The 4 door hatchback sits in the B segment of cars with the simplest of looks without any USP in the exteriors. Mirage features a slender grille, aerodynamic wheel covers and a roof-mounted spoiler. Mirage will be the lightest Mitsubishi car. The light weight was achieved by use of high-tensile steel allowing thinner metal to be used in areas not requiring so much protection.

The car was showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show and taking a cue from the Mitsubishi Mirage pictures received from the show, one can get a fair idea about the car. The front end shows a focus toward practicality instead of premium up-market feel, which is quite a gamble for the company. Slim A-pillars, as well as a more visible bonnet help judge parking dimensions. The 3 diamond Mitsubishi logo is placed just below the bonnet and looks appealing. The version shown in the Auto Show had round fog lamps and body color bumpers. The L-shaped headlamps were simple in appearance.

The side profile is marked by 2 doors, body color door mirrors, body color ORVMs body color fuel lid and wheels with aero wheel cover. Tinted glass will be used in the car. The rear is somewhat better than the front. Rear wiper, high mount stop lamp on the integrated rear spoiler which adds to the aerodynamic quotient, body color boot lid opener, and Mitsubishi badge on boot lid are the visual treats on the rear.

Exterior Measurements

This B segment hatchback is 3,710 mm in length, 1,665 mm in width and 1490 mm in height. The Mirage is only about one-inch shorter than the Mini Cooper hatchback soon to debut in India. The company has managed to give an aerodynamic package to the car by adjusting the weight to under-900 kg.

View Mitsubishi Mirage Interior Pictures

Interiors of Mitsubishi Mirage adopts a "simple & clean" philosophy which aims to give the cabin a sense of airiness. The end result is debatable, but the interior boasts gloss black and white trim, metallic accents and a sporty instrument cluster. A flat dashboard design with 3 spoke steering adds to the boring-ness inside the car. Mitsubishi claims Mirage to be the lightest car in its class, all thanks to a product plan that focused heavily on improving efficiency by dropping the weight of the car. Some critics also accord the new car as the most bland looking city car however the designers of Mirage escape from the criticism by saying that the design of the small subcompact model "was focused on compactness, affordability, and high fuel efficiency in order to fit the needs of emerging markets as an affordable entry-level model as well as needs of advanced markets for fuel efficiency and low-CO2 emission”.

In fact, it does ticks on all these checkboxes but interiors still remain unattractive. The central console has two AC vents with audio system. The glove box lid is of contrast white color and looks appealing to eyes. Below the central console is a CVT gearbox that takes all the credit in the car and looks up-beat. The two color theme is followed everywhere in interior even on the seats which seem to be comfortable.  The boot space appears to be sufficient for a city car.

Interior Comfort

Air conditioner will come for sure in the 2012 Mitsubishi Mirage with four AC vents. Fog lamps, airbags, tinted glass, comfortable seats and many other things help provide comfortable experience in the car. As per nitial information, power windows, remote boot, fuel filler, rear wiper with defogger will be present. Leather seats can come as an option. Threar seats would be folding for making the boot more spacious in the hatch. However, steering mounted controls, rear AC vents will not make it to Mirage hatchback.

Power in the present Thai version which was on display at Tokyo Motor Show comes from a new, transverse-mounted 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine in Mitsubishi Mirage with variable valve timing and a start/stop system. Performance specifications were not released, but Mitsubishi says the engine is connected to a continuously variable transmission and is targeted to average 30.0 km/liter. No direct injection or hybrid technology is used but Mitsubishi's MIVEC technology will feature in the engine. Power is transmitted to the front wheels of Mirage. The more powerful 1.2 litre petrol engine will reach Indian shores once the car gets established in other South-Asian markets.

Not many elements at the exteriors of this car demand aplause but wheels are certainly one of them. The 14-inch alloy wheels and disposable aero wheel covers will be much adorable. Low rolling-resistance tyres are used for better handling of the Mitsubishi car.

The heart of the five-door, five-passenger sedan is a new 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that features a stop-start system and is linked with other fuel-saving technologies, including a brake energy-recovery system. Mirage’s light weight, low rolling resistance, reduced drivetrain friction, improved brakes, and aerodynamic body for its efficiency gains. Front disc and rear drum brakes will come with Mitsubisgi Mirage.

About the safety features in Mitsubishi Mirage, it can only be gathered that the car will come with 2 airbags-a SRS airbag for driver and the other for front passenger. Fog lapms are clearly visible in the displayed version so visibility during unconditional weather will be good. If Mitsubishi has to lure Indian customers towards Mirage, it can also give advanced safety features like ABS (AntiLock Brake System) and EBD (Electonic Brakeforce Distribution). It will definitely prevent the wheels from locking up during emergency brakes.

There are no details about Mitsubishi Mirage audio system except that the car has one. Watch this space as we come up with new scoops.