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You'd think that with the rise of the Korean auto industry, a troubled Japanese carmaker like Mitsubishi would up its game and even take some risks to gain a competitive edge.
But perhaps that was Mitsubishi's plan all along […] as the company claims 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 terms of size, at 3710 mm long, 1,665 mm wide and 1,490 mm tall, the Mirage sits between thoroughbred city cars like the Fiat Panda and superminis like the Ford Fiesta.
A new 1.0-liter three-cylinder MIVEC gasoline engine with an available Auto Stop & Go (AS&G) system linked to a CVT drives the front wheels of the car with Mitsubishi targeting a fuel efficiency of 30km/L (equal to 3.3lt/100km or 70mpg US) on the Japanese test cycle.
The new Mirage will go on sale in 2012 in Thailand first before Mitsubishi releases it across the world later in the year.
