Two-time Dakar Rally champion Hiroshi Masuoka is a nice chap, always smiling, humble and mild mannered – a pleasant disposition one doesn’t always find in senior folks who have acheived much in life. Over the years, I have been lucky enough to ride with the man a couple of times when he did his thing – from Pajero to Mirage, Masuoka-san never fails to make my jaw drop.
The Mitsubishi test driver (he recently raced up Pikes Peak in the i-MiEV Evolution) and trainer loves Malaysia too, which is why we sometimes see him here a few times a year – must be the food la!
Here, we see Masuoka star in a locally produced series of videos promoting the Mirage, Mitsubishi’s latest model. He talks about the compact car’s fuel-saving MIVEC tech and shares tips on how to drive efficiently, so you save at the pumps.
The Mirage was launched here in November 2012. Boasting a NEDC fuel consumption figure of 21 km/l (we can verify that it’s not just achievable, but beatable in the real world if light footed), the 1.2 litre three-cylinder engine can be paired to a CVT gearbox or a five-speed manual.
The Thai-made lightweight five-door hatchback (just 825 kg, or 850 kg for the CVT) is priced from RM55,583 to RM63,375. Click here for our launch report and full live/studio gallery.
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What is the use of making the chassis ultra light but let go on the safety?
It can be light and save at the same time, this is what calls Technology!
The Mivec is an overpriced toy. I think its better to buy a Myvi, half the price and much more of a fuel saver than the Mivec.
R u sure myvi is much fuel efficient? Myvi is overpriced if u compare the car by its value.
At first thought, I thought the Mitsu Mirage is equivalent to Viva. Same CC and cylinders engine.
But it’s different in many miles. Because of it’s reliability and it much miles more Economical than Viva.
If there’s no tax on it, then say good bye to Viva because of it’s cheaper price and better fuel mileage.
looks like it was designed in the ninties….
I read a report published at UK, it shows that the least reliable engine is the Mitsubishi engine and the bottom 10 included BMW , MINI, Audi. I am so surprised
No wonder Proton Waja engine got problem.
Link please…
Overall is really a good car, so far Mivec don’t have any problem, engine are quite reliable. Fuel save, Safety car. But the design…haha @@
It’s funny when Masuoka says for best highway economy we should keep the engine at around 2000 RPM at 80-100 km/h. Obviously he’s talking about the CVT, because top gear in the 5-speed is way too low to do this! 2000 RPM comes at just ~70 km/h. Gear/RPM/speed for the 5-speed:
http://mirageforum.com/forum/showthread.php/38-Gear-ratios-2013-14-Mirage
I think he meant when you’re cruising….
Agreed. But he’s talking only about cruising in the CVT car. You may be able to cruise the CVT at 2,000 RPM at 80-100 km/h, but not with the 5-speed. At 80-100, engine RPM in the 5-speed car will be ~2,400-~3,000.
2000rpm on highway with 80km/s? Doable with Mirage?