Though the automobile scene in Australia is replete with hatchbacks, SUVs and wagons, there are buyers who refuse to give the boot the boot behind. Some people, especially those of a certain age, favour the privacy and security of an enclosed lockable cargo space. As well as the extra strength provided by the bracing provided at the base of the rear window.
The latest manufacturer to embrace the separate cargo hold is Mitsubishi with a Mirage sedan. The new compact four-door sedan, the first in 18 years of the Mirage line-up, easily fits the bill with 450 litres of usable trunk space.
Rear seat passengers also benefit from 944 mm of legroom, thanks to a generous 100 mm extension of the wheelbase over the Mirage hatch. Front and rear track are wider, meaning more shoulder space.
The Mirage Sedan comes to the market in two variants – ES and LS – the former with a five-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission, the latter with CVT only.
Prices start at $14,490, plus on-road costs, for the ES manual and top out at $17,490, plus on-roads for the LS automatic.
STYLING
The Mirage sedan joins the likes of the Toyota Yaris with its old-style sit-up-and-beg stance. Modern styling comes with a chrome grille and fog lamp surrounds, colour-coded power door mirrors and door handles, and a chrome plated boot lid garnish. Smart 15-inch wheels start things rolling.
Entry to the spacious well-equipped cabin of the LS (the test vehicle) is keyless and further nods to more expensive cars come with dusk sensing headlamps, rain sensing wipers and privacy glass. Air-conditioning is standard on Mirage ES Sedan, with climate control fitted to LS.
The LS features add further touches of quality with black embossed knit trim and chrome and silver accents. Power windows have driver’s side auto up and down.
INFOTAINMENT
Occupants need feel no isolation from the modern world with the Mirage sedan offering Bluetooth phone connectivity with audio streaming and voice control along with steering wheel phone and audio controls. AM / FM CD player has USB input and four speakers.
An Eco display on the instrument panel tells the driver when he or she is driving economically. It all helps.
ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
As with many premium value vehicles, the Mitsubishi Mirage’s 1.2-litre three-cylinder 57 kW petrol engine is fired up by pushing a start / stop button on the dashboard.
Mirage sedan’s CVT automatic ratio mapping has been adjusted for increased engine braking over a wide vehicle speed range and an updated torque convertor lock-up strategy optimises fuel efficiency and drivability.
Pulling the gear lever beyond ‘D’ for drive and into ‘B’ induces light engine braking at high speed, helps with steep inclines and applies engine braking on steep downhill gradients.
SAFETY
A rigid body structure is augmented by a wide array of safety features. The sedan has six airbags – driver and passenger front, plus two side and two curtain airbags.
Active safety includes Active Stability Control, ABS anti-skid braking with Electronic Brake Distribution, Hill Start Assist on automatic models, and hydraulic Brake Assist.
It also gains Mitsubishi Motors’ Emergency Stop Signal, which flashes the hazard warning lights under heavy braking to alert vehicles behind.
DRIVING
Mirage dynamics have been completely re-tuned for the sedan, producing comfortable and predictable performance across a wide variety of road conditions, while springs and dampers have been calibrated to match sedan body characteristics, which are designed to take extra weight in the rear.
Quiet cabin acoustics are the result of additional sound insulation in the front fenders, front and rear floor areas, A and C pillars, dash panel and front cowl top. A booted body is inherently quieter than a hatchback one.
Further improvements have been made with new engine mounts that minimise noise and vibration.
Indeed, the motor resorts to a raspy reply only when pushed around. Don’t expect acceleration to induce any form of driving exhilaration. It’s flat and frumpy. As always, while climate control air-con makes for a favourable cabin ambience.
Fuel consumption is put by Mitsubishi at 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban / highway cycle. The test car used far more, ranging from 8 litres per 100 kilometres to more than 10 litres per 100 kilometres in town traffic, while on the motorway 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres was the best attained.
A tight 9.6 metre turning circle and electric power steering, tuned for light steering around town, make parking a breeze, while front brake discs, increased to 355 mm compared to the hatch, and rear brake drums up to 203 mm adequately attend to stopping.
SUMMING UP
With the hatchback already accounting for half the sales in the segment, the addition of such a well equipped and sharply priced sedan can only see the Mirage going from strength to strength.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
ES 1.2-litre four-door sedan: $14,490 (manual), $16,490 (CVT)
LS 1.2-litre four-door sedan: $17,490 (CVT)
Note: These prices do not include dealer or government charges. Contact your local Mitsubishi dealer for drive-away prices.
STANDARD FEATURES
Active Stability Control
Hill Start Control (CVT only)
Driver and passenger front airbags
Side and curtain airbags
Exterior lamps with Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
Bluetooth phone connectivity with audio streaming and voice control
Steering wheel with audio and phone controls
AM/FM CD player with USB input and four speakers
Power door mirrors
Power windows with driver side auto up and down
Driver’s seat with slide, recline and height adjustment
Black suede touch knit interior trim
Two ISOFIX rear seat child restraints
Three tether anchor rear seat child restraints
Child proof rear door locks
Continuously Variable transmission (CVT) with INVECS III Smart Logic (LS)
Climate control air-conditioning (LS)
Keyless operating system with one touch start system (LS)
Dusk sensing headlamps (LS)
Rain sensing wipers (LS)
Leather steering wheel (LS)
Privacy glass (LS)
Black embossed knit trim (LS)
Chrome and silver interior accents (LS)
SPECIFICATIONS (Mitsubishi Mirage ES 1.2-litre four-door sedan)
Capacity: 1.193 litres
Configuration: Three cylinders in-line, water cooled, DOHC
Bore and Stroke: 75 mm / 90 mm
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Maximum Power: 57 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 100 Nm @ 4000 rpm
DRIVELINE:
5-speed manual / CVT automatic
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4245 mm
Width: 1670 mm
Height: 1515 mm
Wheelbase: 2550 mm
Track: 1445 mm (front); 1430 mm (rear)
Ground clearance: 170 mm
Kerb weight: 925 kg / 940 kg
Gross vehicle mass: 1340 kg / 1360 kg
Drag co-efficient: Cd 0.29
Cargo capacity: 450 litres
Fuel Tank Capacity: 42 litres
Turning circle: 9.6 m
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Brakes: 355 mm discs (front), .203 mm drums (rear).Anti-lock brake system (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist, Emergency Stop Signal. Hill Start Assist (CVT).
Steering: Electric power rack and pinion
Wheels: 15 in alloy 15 x 5 1/2J
Tyres: 185 / 55R15 82V
PERFORMANCE
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: Not supplied
Top speed: 170 km/h
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Fuel type: 91 RON unleaded
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 4.9 litres per 100 km. CO2 emissions 116 g / km (manual and CVT)
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 8.5 / 10
Air Pollution Rating: 6.5 / 10
