12/10/2012 16:40
The cover was lifted on the all-new Mitsubishi Mirage at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, with the car sure to capture the attention of a global audience.
In fact, the Japanese car maker is aiming for the Mirage to cause a stir all around the world, after stating that the vehicle will be sold in more than 160 countries.
So what will make the 2013 Mitsubishi Mirage standout from other superminis currently on the market? It is hard to know where to begin when answering this question.
Protecting the environment one step at a time
The all-new Mitsubishi Mirage, which is the replacement to the Colt supermini, comes packed with lots of energy-saving equipment.
For starters, a standard engine stop-start system will ensure that the motor is not being used needlessly when stuck in a traffic jam or when the car is stationary.
Regenerative braking and a high-efficiency alternator should also keep energy usage to a minimum, as will an intelligent battery sensor and low-rolling-resistance tyres.
All-new Mitsubishi Mirage ticks all the boxes for design excellence
The designers of the 2013 Mitsubishi Mirage have to be applauded in how they have helped the car stand head and shoulders above its rivals.
In order to ensure the driver is always in control of the vehicle, for example, the all-new Mirage has been styled so that the person behind the wheel can always see both edges of the bonnet when attempting a parking manoeuvre.
A compact, 9.2-metre turning circle is also aimed at making the car feel more manoeuvrable when driving around town than other superminis.
The fact that the 2013 Mitsubishi Mirage weighs just 845kg boosts the vehicle's efficiency rating, while 245 litres of boot volume with the rear seats in place provides people with plenty of space for carrying goods.
The engine choices of the 2013 Mitsubishi Mirage
Drivers in Europe will be presented with the all-new Mitsubishi Mirage complete with the Japanese car maker's new generation of three-cylinder petrol engines.
The entry-level of this car range will feature a 1.0-litre motor that can boast 70bhp and up to 65lb ft of torque. Motorists can also reach 62mph from rest in 13.6 seconds, as well as benefitting from a fuel economy of 70.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 92g/km.
By working up the range drivers will come across the 1.2-litre engine. This builds on the entry-level model by offering 79bhp and torque of up to 78lb ft, while achieving 0-62mph in 11.7 seconds.
The 1.2-litre motor's fuel economy slips to 68.9mpg when compared to the entry-level engine, though its CO2 emissions rating jumps to 96g/km.
On a side note in regard to the 2013 Mitsubishi Mirage, drivers will be presented with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard. However, an automatic continuously variable transmission will be an option for the 1.2-litre engine.
The all-new Mitsubishi Mirage will leave production lines and go on sale in the UK in early 2013, with prices set to be revealed closer to that release date.
Posted by Sebastian Turkenburg