Mitsubishi Mirage previewed, on a Thai race track

Mitsubishi Mirage previewed, on a Thai race track

I have the number 23,000 typed into my Notes. The figure is significant; it represents the number of Mitsubishi Mirages booked since the car’s launch during the Bangkok Motor Show. In fact, by the time you read this, Mitsubishi Motors Thailand will have had more bookings added to that already achieved.

The massive number can be attributed to the Mirage being awarded Eco-Car status in Thailand, which brings all sorts of incentives and tax breaks to manufacturers, which helps to lower the price tag, always a good thing in attracting buyers.

Mitsubishi Mirage previewed, on a Thai race track

Part of the requirement of a car getting an Eco-Car tag is that its fuel consumption needs to better than 5.0 litres/100 km (or 20 km/l), and the car has to meet Euro 4 emission levels. The Mirage’s 1.2 litre MIVEC engine has a fuel economy of 22 km/litres (or 4.5 l/100 km, if the online converters are right) and emits only 120 g/km of CO2.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me properly introduce the Mitsubishi Mirage (codename: EL) by saying that this is a global compact car designed specifically as an ‘entry-level car in emerging markets’ and a car that ‘address environmental needs in advanced countries’. You can already guess how the car is being positioned.

Mitsubishi Mirage previewed, on a Thai race track

The big thing about the Mirage is how light it is – it tips the scales between 830 kg and 865 kg, depending on its transmission and trim. It uses high-tensile steel in the construction to shave off the kilograms without culling rigidity. As a result, the Mirage is up to 7% lighter than the typical competition.

Dimensions for the Mirage are 3,710 mm, 1,665 mm and 1,490 mm (length, width and height respectively), with a wheelbase of 2,450 mm. Total legroom for the Mirage is slightly more than 1,640 mm, which is more than the Swift, Mazda2 and March; only the Yaris gives more room to stretch.

Mitsubishi Mirage previewed, on a Thai race track

Creature comforts are pretty basic. The Mirage comes with the standard cup holders, glove compartment and door pockets. Seats are wrapped in fabric, there’s the usual air conditioning and four-speaker stereo system. Depending on the variant, you’ll either get a touch screen sat-nav unit or the usual buttons-and-dial unit.

Quality of materials is as expected of a car in this bracket. Plastics feel solid and textured, but nothing to write home about. However, this does not undermine the fit and finish of the Mirage. The panels looks tightly bolted down and the gaps are closed up quite nicely.

The Mirage’s shell design is not as enticing as seeing its namesake in a desert, and hence does not invoke any sort of emotions. Its shape can be described as clean and safe; inoffensive would be the perfect word to describe it.

Mitsubishi Mirage previewed, on a Thai race track

Say what you want, but Mitsubishi has said that this design has earned the car a drag coefficient of 0.29 Cd. It accomplishes this by closing up as much of the holes as possible, leaving open what is necessary to let the engine breathe.

For instance, in the front the small grille opening optimises airflow around the car and the front bumper undersurface is crafted to act as an air dam at its corners. The air then flows to the roof-lines that will then flow smoothly to the rear.

Mitsubishi Mirage previewed, on a Thai race track

Still on the exterior, you’ll notice that the windows are quite large. That’s because the belt line is set lower and the A-pillar made slimmer, and this is to give the driver more real estate in terms of field of vision.

Underneath the hood is Mitsubishi’s new three-cylinder MIVEC engine, codenamed the 3A92. It is a 1.2 litre powerplant that produces a humble 77 hp at 6,000 rpm and 100 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.

Mitsubishi Mirage previewed, on a Thai race track

The engine can either be paired with a five-speed manual gearbox or an INVECS-III CVT that uses a wider gear ratio span for better torque and economy. No pseudo-gear numbers are given and you don’t really need to know, because there’s no manual selector on the box nor paddle shifters to fiddle with. However, it does have a ‘Sport’ mode that locks the gear at a certain rpm for situations that need more power.

Like all CVTs, gearshifts are non-existent, but the ratios do adjust automatically when it detects changes in the accelerator and the load of the car. One example: the rpm is raised to a higher range when going up hill. Really, all you need to do is keep your feet planted on the accelerator. Really, tricking the CVT is as easy as easing or standing on the pedal.

Mitsubishi Mirage previewed, on a Thai race track

The manual feels better – the gear ratios are well-chosen, in that the engine does not feel tortured every time you go up a gear. Shifting the stick is not as creamy as it should have been though; there was a hint of stickiness evident in the test unit. The clutch, however, feels light, easy to depress and does not try to kick out your feet once the gear bites.

Likewise, the steering also feels lightweight, and the feedback coming off it are mere whispers. Yet, it is easy and obedient, needing only slight feeding to get the nose sniffing into the direction you want it to. By the way, the turning radius as measured by Mitsubishi is 4.4 metres, which is pretty tight.

Mitsubishi Mirage previewed, on a Thai race track

In any case, the suspension is neither feathery nor harsh. The system is a standard MacPherson front and torsion beam rear. What is important is that Mitsubishi has been able to dial back the body roll to make this small car chuckable around the corners without going out of sorts. And it feels stable no matter the kind of corners you throw it into. Tight hairpins, long sweepers and S-bends are executed with high scores.

Based on the short sampling managed with it, the Mirage looks to be a pleasant little car that does its job rather well. Good fuel economy and low emissions should appeal to the hybrid-opposed, environmentally-friendly driver, and the small frame, large window and easy handling should be something novice drivers can warm up to as well.

Mitsubishi Mirage previewed, on a Thai race track

Ah but there’s a slippery banana to consider. Mitsubishi Malaysia is unsure if it is going to offer the Mirage here. And if it does, how much to price the car? And if it does get the price right, will the car have enough features to please the audience? And even if it pleases the audience in that regard, will the car sell? What a conundrum Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has found itself in.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Chris Ng

Chris Ng believes that all cars are made equal, and each one has its own unique story to tell. As such, the ex-advertising man is here doing what he truly loves, which is authoring the allegories and anecdotes of automobiles. Having served time in a motoring mag, he believes there's nothing more sublime than keeping the pedal floored and things burbling in top gear.

 

Comments

  • amroll on May 29, 2012 at 3:14 am

    proton plz rebadge this for savvy replacement.haha.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Offer it up with the manual and top spec cvt with a price comparable or lower than the swift and vios (60-7x k) with a 5 yr (or more) unlimited mileage warranty and who knows, it may sell pretty well. of course you cant expect this car to be sold with saga price levels, it never was possible in the first place.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • F Fiesta on May 29, 2012 at 6:49 am

    Ugly in and out better get Ford Fiesta

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Mickey McFinnigan on May 29, 2012 at 10:19 am

      Fiesta is a hot hatch. For an entry level car, it looks much better than Suzuki’s offering. Plus I bet our workshop “engineers” can do something about the looks later.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Stealth on May 29, 2012 at 12:09 pm

      Fiesta really qualified to be called ‘junk’. I can’t believe that cheap quality materials used and try closing the door and you will here a sound like knocking on empty oil drum.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 6
  • This is like a kancil on steroids.. but still, it’s a kancil.. Some idiots will decide to mod it and bring it to 160kph, do a 180 flip and cause accident.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • theanswer on May 29, 2012 at 9:52 am

      u cant blame msian 100%.. the L2,L5 turbo, k3-vet was invented by jap. hahahha

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Three-cylinder MIVEC engine have same vibration or not compare to perodua viva engine?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Chris Ng (Member) on May 29, 2012 at 11:04 am

      During the short drive, I did not feel the engine rough in anyway. Quite the opposite, the engine is as smooth as a bigger, four-cylinder unit.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 8
    • Gabla on May 29, 2012 at 1:33 pm

      Why I can’t like/dislike or comment on Chris Ng’ post?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Not bad..cute..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Chilavert on May 29, 2012 at 8:24 am

    looks like a good car. just bring it in Mitsubishi Malaysia and price it below rm60K.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • drgn86 on May 29, 2012 at 8:34 am

    I think this car will definitely be more expensive than our rivals here, the Myvi and Viva. I’ll be pleasantly surprised if it wasn’t though!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Wisdom on May 29, 2012 at 8:49 am

    Ok. Rebadge to Proton One.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • omanjedi on May 29, 2012 at 9:04 am

    Good FC car..with the risk of increase of fuel price, the sale would be good.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Mazda Skyactive 1.3 on Mazda 2 gives 30km/l and that’s what we should be waiting.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • If Protongkat is smart then just rebadge this Mirage as new Savvy…

    But whether Protongkat can redesign it better or worse than Mitsu design well proof is in the pudding…(read:Inspira design)

    Remember when Savvy was first launched Paul Tan said it’s cute and very excited about it HE HE HE

    It shows how Protongkat simply cannot design even own car nicely at first place and worst of all ruined the already nicely design car by others…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • the post is about mitsu mirage, but still use it to condemn proton. get a life la bro.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • remember Wira? Satria GTi? Putra? Gen-2/Persona? those are very nice Proton designs/redesigns that made Proton famous in the Europe, as the existing Mitsu model designs are boring as shit. the only problem at that time was quality, engine performance, and lack of tech.

      Savvy is pretty cute actually, when viewed from the front.

      but without spoilers, it looked like a frog when viewed from the rear due to the heavily-sloped rear roofline lool.

      it needed a big-ass spoiler to cover it up, or a redesign of the top rear.

      anyway this Mirage looks much better than the i10, Myvi or the Alto. should have nice sales until Proton comes out with EMAS-derivative superminis/Global Small Car/P2-XX.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • “…The massive number can be attributed to the Mirage being awarded Eco-Car status in Thailand, which brings all sorts of incentives and tax breaks to manufacturers, which helps to lower the price tag, always a good thing in attracting buyers…

    …Part of the requirement of a car getting an Eco-Car tag is that its fuel consumption needs to better than 5.0 litres/100 km (or 20 km/l), and the car has to meet Euro 4 emission levels…”
    _______________________

    This is what NAP suppose to promote in our auto industry: Fuel-efficient cars get rewarded and buyers enjoy rebates and saves fuel in long run

    But now look how pathetic NAP turns out to be

    Crappy, inefficient, extortionately overpriced, unsafe cars always get protected in the name of patriotism craps while burdening rakyats with longer time to repay wasteful ridiculous car loans

    Worst part is most fuel-efficient cars sold here are punished with crazy taxes based unfairly on engine capacity alone and even zero-duty hybrid cars still got hidden duties

    Mediocrity got rewarded, Competency must be punished? Bravo NAP bravo!

    NAP must protect the correct category eg.low-income car buyers with these kind of incentives, promotions of economical cars and not protecting rich automotive cronies crazy mamak gangs

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • It’s haram for Mitsu to sell it here at RM40K lah

    Must be higher than Persona price or RM60K even for that entry level manual version

    Only then NAP, Dr Mamak is happy!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • How can they price lower if in base model in thai already cost bht380000(RM37k)? Usually car in Malaysia rm10-20k higher than thai from my observation…i assume the price bet rm47-60k for base model

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • kutty on Jun 01, 2012 at 6:07 pm

        You do realise most people here are borderline retarded right? Your logic escapes them

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • theanswer on May 29, 2012 at 9:53 am

    no more ricer image. no more powerful mivec. hehehehe.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ss427 on May 29, 2012 at 10:06 am

    The Mirage nameplate was once used to denote Lancer hatchbacks… but now the nameplate has degen into this cheap looking, econobox that offers near zero desirability factor :(
    This thing offers good fuel economy ONLY becos it has such a tinny light body and skinny and tiny 14″ wheels!
    I dare Mitsubishi to build it with 6 airbags, 16-17″ wheels, strenthen 5 star Euro NCAP complient bodyshell, VSC/Traction control etc and then tell us if the claimed fuel economy can still be achieved realistically… LOL :D

    Too much to ask for in an econobox? Well that’s how the Koreans and Europeans builds their superminis (see the i20 and Fiesta) and the abovementioned safety equipments/specs are required items if you want to sell in western markets..

    3 cyln engines will always be a refinement jink for it is inherently inbalanced. And NVH will be poor too

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
    • it’s capable of reaching 5 stars, according to independent crash tests.

      why the F would you wanna put 17 inch rims on a supermini? it wouldn’t even fit. 14 inch is enough to fill the Mirage wheel arches. it’s not a freaking iQ, Cygnet or EMAS. those things use 17/18 inch as standard.

      plus, they’re making this for ASEAN cheap car markets/noob drivers where cars are needed to get from A to B safely, not for blingbling shit.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Nizam80 on May 29, 2012 at 10:12 am

    The thing that bothers me is if MMC were to bring this car here, it will still be more expensive than a bloody Myvi.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • wishful on May 29, 2012 at 10:44 am

    need to drive very slow to achive good economy….and if highway speed 110kph, need to switch off the aircond just to get 15km/l, wtf…even SUV crdi like santa fe 2.2 diesels can get 15km/l on the highway wt THE AIRCOND ON!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ah qib on May 29, 2012 at 11:31 am

    like this car…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • What about the nvh? Is it noisy?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Chris Ng (Member) on May 29, 2012 at 1:13 pm

      Can’t tell for certain. Test driving on track means having to wear a helmet, which means most of the noise is muffled. And driving on track may not yield the same feel as driving on the road.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • luqae on May 29, 2012 at 11:57 am

    Imagine this car being turn into a rally car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • policeman on May 29, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    Seems good. I will get it the manual 5-speed if priced around 50K.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Black Dog on May 29, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    Nice car suitable for college chicks.

    If Mitsu decided to bring it in, it’ll definitely be around Rm60k so the choice is either buy a regular Myvi or something more special, either this or the i10.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • albag on May 29, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    poor fags will keep an eye on this and mod it like a pocket rocket… good luck!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Anonymous on May 29, 2012 at 3:06 pm

    Mirage is most fuel efficient in its class 21km p/liter, delivers fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions that are among the best in its class thanks to its all-new MIVEC*1 engine! Not to mention environmentally friendly too!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • MONTY on May 29, 2012 at 4:39 pm

      lightweight and aerodynamic, good combo for great fuel efficiency! i have to admit that tis Mirage should bag a lot of goodies surpassing its competitors. i’m buyin’ tis if Mitsu Malaysia sells it here =)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • MONTY on May 29, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    heard that 22km/L is only meant for Thai spec, whereas for Japan spec, the figures are said to be more than 22km/L (based upon 10-15 test mode).
    i have a feeling that if Mirage is introduced in Malaysia, the consumption figures shall should be around 21km/L as:

    our emission standard and Thailand’s differs,quality of fuel will also affect the consumption. nevertheless, this car will be the lightest ever B-segment hatch in the market. =p

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • youngblood on May 31, 2012 at 12:35 am

    wait a second, is the fuel consumption for the EV based on using Euro4 oil or something? or is it just supposed to reach Euro 4 mileage?

    If the former is true, then how can MMC bring EV here as Malaysia is only expected to shift into Euro 4 fuel only in 2014 (the same reason why most of the European marques’ engine wouldn’t last here, or so i presume….)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ordinary Joe on May 31, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    Aiyo.. the Mirage has evolved into a tiny eco-car? I remember the late 80s and 90s mirage was battling head-to-head with the likes of B16 SIR civics. Now this boring car…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • KL Heng on Oct 01, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    For a 1.2 litre, 3 cyclinder engine is like going backwards to the days of Daihatsu Charade of the 80’s. With prices clashes with Perodua Myvi, this car is going to struggle to sell just like the same fate as Suzuki Alto.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • What happened to Mirage? It used to be hot back in the days!

    For this one, crap man it’s really damn FUGLY.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • gabra on Nov 23, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    I HOPE THE DASHBOARD WONT MAKE OF PLASTIC YG BUAT BALDI LIKE MYVI..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Gary Cheong on Dec 18, 2012 at 11:17 am

    well… i quite love this car… price comparison to the bloody junk myvi, i rather to choose an thai manufacture car then a local make~! which price is almost to the same RM63k for myvi and RM64980 for mirage~!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • sir,which is better.the i10/kappa or these car.i mean in torque/ top speed,gear ratio and handling. thanks,gud review.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required