News

Mitsubishi to launch new Mirage in November 2012

By Vernon B. Sarne —

Original Mitsubishi Mirage

Remember the cute little car shown above? Yes, that's the classic Mirage, the popular small car introduced by Mitsubishi in Japan in March of 1978. Well, the Mirage is being resurrected for 2012. That's the good news. But the better news is this: It's coming to the Philippines. When? According to Mitsubishi Motors Philippines executive vice president Taizo Pat Furuhashi, the Mirage will formally reach our shores in November next year. Furuhashi made the announcement at an intimate gathering in Tokyo with Philippine dealers and motoring journalists in attendance. Thailand will be the first in the region to launch this car--as early as next March, to be exact.

The new Mirage measures 3,710mm long, 1,665mm wide and 1,490mm tall, making it smaller than the Ford Fiesta but bigger than the Kia Picanto. At first glance, it's easy to see the same design cues found on the ASX compact crossover. Though small, the new Mirage--according to Mitsubishi--can comfortably seat five adults.

 

All-new Mitsubishi Mirage

 

The expected arrival of the new Mirage will make the mini-hatchback category in our market very exciting. It will also finally address the demand of Mitsubishi customers in the country for a small passenger car. Toyota, Honda, Ford, Mazda, Suzuki, Chevrolet, Hyundai and Kia each have tiny hatches. There was always speculation in the past that Mitsubishi would bring in the Colt, but it was only available in right-hand-drive configuration. The new Mirage, on the other hand, is also being offered as a left-hand-drive model. Speaking of which, here's a photo of the cabin of a right-hand-drive Mirage, just to give you an idea of what the interior looks like.

 

All-new Mitsubishi Mirage

The best part about the new Mirage? Mitsubishi claims it can achieve as much as 30km per liter of fuel. Amazing if true. Returning that kind of mileage is a 1.0-liter three-cyclinder MIVEC gasoline engine mated to a continuously variable transmission. Partly responsible for the excellent fuel efficiency is the automatic stop-and-go system, which practically eliminates fuel wastage caused by engine idling. This makes the new Mirage the only car in its class to boast this fuel-saving and environment-friendly technology.

 

All-new Mitsubishi Mirage

So, if you were in the market for a small hatchback, could you wait until November next year for the new Mitsubishi Mirage? If you need to see more of the car to make a decision, watch the video below, taken at the Tokyo Motor Show.

If you're viewing this on a mobile device and can't see the video, please click here.

 

Tags: , ,
COMMENTS

User account login

Not registered? Click here to be a TopGear.com.ph member.

Forgot your Password?.

Click this link to view our posting guidelines.

Filter comments by:
Called-Out Comments All Comments
  • mts Dec 12 2011 @ 05:30pm
     
    better late than never. :)
        1
  • mts Dec 12 2011 @ 05:36pm
     
    if this can match the Ford's 1.0L EcoBoost engine, then I am looking forward to this. :)
        1
  • yokam888 Dec 12 2011 @ 06:03pm
     
    it looks like it was designed in the 90's... mas maganda pa tingnan yung original mirage.
        1
  • bayen Dec 12 2011 @ 06:12pm
     
    this was my first car. nice to see its being relaunched. :) hope it reaches our shores.
        1
  • Adrian Dec 12 2011 @ 06:31pm
     
    Bumenta kaya yan dito sa pilipinas? And I hope na makarating at maunahan ng TOYOTA ito. Dapat ng makarating ang All new 2012 Yaris
        1
    • Kyoichi Sudo Dec 12 2011 @ 08:35pm
       
      hahahahaha.............. Asa ka pa. Toyota Aygo ang kalaban ng Mirage, hnd yung Yaris, sa Colt yun! hahahaha....
          1
  • vansxtrme23 Dec 12 2011 @ 06:47pm
     
    freaking *gly..
        2
  • ryanjarina Dec 12 2011 @ 07:27pm
     
    Parang ang cheap yung datin niya. Mas gusto ko yung Chevy Spark at Ford Fiesta..
        2
    • Kyoichi Sudo Dec 12 2011 @ 08:36pm
       
      and again, Colt ang kalaban ng Fiesta, hnd ang Mirage, so pls don't compare the Mirage to the Fiesta K?
          1
  • Feeter Silverster Dec 12 2011 @ 07:33pm
     
    Sana eh mura lang, pag ok ang presyo eh bibili ako, kc sa Mirage/ Colt ako naka-experience mag drive.
       
  • mindkinetic Dec 12 2011 @ 07:39pm
     
    so far the design can't compete with that of the fiesta , mazda2, and spark.BAKA NAMAN BUMAWIN SA PERFORMANCE. HEHEHEHE
       
    • Kyoichi Sudo Dec 12 2011 @ 08:39pm
       
      @ mindkinetic, the Mirage targets the Picanto, Spark and Celerio, NOT the Fiesta and the Mzd2, sa Colt yan, wlang pake ang Mirage sa dalawang yan K?
          1
      • dominic Dec 13 2011 @ 02:01am
         
        Paulit ulit? heheh
           
        • Kyoichi Sudo Dec 13 2011 @ 07:35pm
           
          hehehehehe...................
              1
      • mindkinetic Dec 13 2011 @ 12:14pm
         
        UNFORTUNATELY NO COLT IS BEING OFFERED IN THE COUNTRY so it's moot and academic that in A GENERAL SENSE OF PERSPECTIVE the mirage is about to go head on with the likes of the fiesta and mazda2.HOWEVER, yes i agree with you kyoichi that in a strictier sense having been that the mirage carries a 1.0 lit engine it's within the league of the picanto and spark and celerio ,
           
        • Kyoichi Sudo Dec 13 2011 @ 07:34pm
           
          even though the colt is not here, it doesen't mean that it will challenge already the Fiesta and the M2, its all up to Mitsu if they want to be left behind here
              1
  • GTi Dec 12 2011 @ 07:43pm
     
    Well Taiwan has some good Mitsubishi vehicles that we don't have, like the Colt and the Outlander for example, which are being manufactured there. And then there are also original LHD Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagons and Toyota Granvias...
       
    • Kyoichi Sudo Dec 12 2011 @ 08:40pm
       
      the new Delica D:5 is in Taiwan??? thats sme shocking news, inaabangan kaya nmn yan, yan kasi ang gusto nmng van, ayaw nmn sa Grand Strx Limousine at Alphard, too Luxurious...........
          1
      • Feeter Silverster Dec 12 2011 @ 10:41pm
         
        Ask Mitsubishi about the Delica, then kung wala eh pwede naman yung Grand Starex na HVX.
           
        • Kyoichi Sudo Dec 13 2011 @ 07:32pm
           
          my dad finds it too luxurious and he really wants to have a 4X4 Van
             
          • warak1422 Dec 23 2011 @ 09:30pm
             
            Mbenz Viano ka na lang haha d nmn luxurious ang dating pru ang mahal hahhaha
               
  • reggie roy Dec 12 2011 @ 08:05pm
     
    Suzuki swift at honda jazz pa din ang panalo sakin....
        1
    • Kyoichi Sudo Dec 12 2011 @ 08:42pm
       
      Hay naku Reggie Roy, wlang pake ang Mirage sa Jazz at Swift mo, sa Celerio at Brio lng sya may pake K? sa Colt yang Favorites mo!
         
  • Guji Dec 12 2011 @ 08:21pm
     
    yung Mitsu i sana... :(
       
    • Kyoichi Sudo Dec 12 2011 @ 08:43pm
       
      the i-MIEV i think is coming this 2012 here in the Pinas, but still clueless on the date
          1
  • GBfive Dec 12 2011 @ 08:27pm
     
    i think it's unfair to compare this Mirage to a Jazz, 2, Fiesta, Swift or Yaris. based sa specs nya, ang katapat nya lang dapat ay Spark, Picanto and i10..... i think the engineers/designers at MMC placed more emphasis on the car's performance than on the looks.
       
  • fortis Dec 12 2011 @ 10:56pm
     
    price it around 500k and it will surely sell. For a 1.0L sub compact it should and must be at that price range.

    it would be ridiculous if MMPC is going to price it near the Vios/City 1.3 variants.
       
    • warak1422 Dec 23 2011 @ 09:33pm
       
      kung around 500k yan sa jimny na lang ako offroader na
         
  • Vernon B. Sarne
    Vernon B. Sarne Dec 12 2011 @ 11:08pm
     
    @Kyle Lopez-Vito - What is misleading about:
    (1) Mitsubishi to launch new Mirage in November 2012 (TITLE); and
    (2) The Mirage will formally reach our shores in November next year (FIRST PARAGRAPH).

    Where exactly did these statements lead you?
        1
    • mgr366 Jan 26 2012 @ 09:39am
       
      Sir, at #2, meaning 2013? thanks po.
         
  • tgstig Dec 13 2011 @ 12:16am
     
    sana humabol din yung nissan march
        1
  • dominic Dec 13 2011 @ 02:00am
     
    Muhkang Porsche Cayenne yung unahan. ang cute =)
        2
  • iskwakalogz Dec 13 2011 @ 02:49am
     
    Wow nkakamiss yung lumang mitsubishi colt namin.. (5 door mirage 1983 model made/assembled by canlubang automotive).. napakatibay at walang problema until nung binenta namin last march.. bodywork? napaka kunat tlaga at yun lang ang kotse na nakita ko na may power/economy shift.. at yung 1.4L engine nun kinakain lang ang vios sa expressway partida stock lang yun.. sana kung anu yung reliability ng 1983 model namin nuon sana naman ganun din ngayon..
       
  • iskwakalogz Dec 13 2011 @ 02:54am
     
    @HyundaiBest baket ang dami at siksikan ang mga service centers nyo.. tambak lang mga siraing hyundai now and take note side mirror lang ng getz ng tropa ko isang buwan bago maayos.. at mdami nagsabi lalo na yung mga nka2kwentuhan ko sa casa ng hyundai nung pinaayos namin yun na napaka sirain at matakaw sa gas ang hyundai vehicles.. mura lang kasi kaya nila pinatulan.. yung iba nauto sa sales talk...
        1
  • ashek268 Dec 13 2011 @ 08:38am
     
    My Hip-feeling-young grandpa will love this!
       
  • jesslink Dec 13 2011 @ 08:51am
     
    We're contemplating to buy our second car(run errand) by January next year...and we narrowed it down to Suzuki Jimny and Ford Fiesta...buti na lang lumabas 'tong article na to...we can just wait 'til November to buy this one...
       
  • jclogan Dec 13 2011 @ 09:08am
     
    Let's talk about this in November 2012.
       
  • windel Dec 13 2011 @ 09:40am
     
    better than picanto and celerio.
       
  • Carfanatic Dec 13 2011 @ 11:06am
     
    It's worth the wait. Finally, a small car for Mitsubishi. It's cute with a MIVEC engine to boost, Yehey! What's the retail price gonna be since it will have a stop&go feature? Sana mura lang or competitive with the likes of Picanto and i10.
       
    • BOOGIECAT Dec 13 2011 @ 11:54am
       
      This one will be cheaper than the Picanto and i10 for sure especially this one's sourced from Thailand.

      Hyundaibest walang kwenta naman yang i10 mo..1.1 Liter LANG ang engine at ang lakas pa sa gas!
         
  • riaski Dec 13 2011 @ 01:02pm
     
    I'd get this car if the FC is true besides, I've got a lot of memories with this car in the 80's.
       
  • Vernon B. Sarne
    Vernon B. Sarne Dec 13 2011 @ 05:11pm
     
    @Kyle Lopez-Vito - Mitsubishi has big plans for next year. I'm not promoting the brand. Just sharing what I learned since I traveled with them to Japan recently for the Tokyo Motor Show. Thanks for reading :)
       
  • Marionific!5 Dec 13 2011 @ 06:52pm
     
    Toyota Yaris Mix-Breed!;)
       
    • Kyoichi Sudo Dec 13 2011 @ 07:36pm
       
      i repeat, wlang pake ang Mirage sa Yaris K?
         
  • jbits Dec 14 2011 @ 02:51am
     
    oks na rin... para mas maraming pagpilian ang mamimili....
       
  • barry Dec 14 2011 @ 11:59am
     
    pwede...
       
  • borikyo Dec 14 2011 @ 05:59pm
     
    Parang masyadong matagal...bka may facelifted na spark nun,o kea facelifted na fiesta, o baka dumating ung accent na hatch...i dunno...
       
    • BOOGIECAT Dec 15 2011 @ 03:37pm
       
      Di naman nyan katapat ang Accent at Fiesta..Malabo pang magkaroon ng mid-year update ang Spark next year ayon narin sa TCCCI..
         
  • Evo Lance Dec 17 2011 @ 03:19pm
     
    i agree its not proper to compare with the fiesta, mazda2, jazz category since those are in higher class subcompact. If the AS&G technology will be brought here as mentioned above, I have no doubt it will hit 30km/ltr. Every small passenger car in its segment will be outclassed in terms of fuel effieciency even the fiestas or newer yaris. Ive read about the new AS&G tech and it was awesome for city driving since it totally shuts off your engine on stop and automatically revives it upon releasing handbrake and selecting 1st gear
       
  • HKB Dec 27 2011 @ 01:32pm
     
    kung ako ang pipiliin i prepare a SUZUKI Jimney dahil madalas na ang baha dito sa atin kahit saan ka magpunta. ang suzuki jimney ay may mataas na ground clearance at 4X4 pa........
       
  • d3athmast3r Jan 24 2012 @ 07:13am
     
    Basing on the engine's description 1.0 liter, it shouldn't be compared with fiesta, mazda 2, yaris, swift, jazz or the likes. I think its target competitors are spark(which looks better for me), i10, celerio, alto k10, and chery. Whereas it should also be priced near the 500k mark of the 1.0 liter vehicles.
       
  • KERSMcPherson Apr 20 2012 @ 11:48am
     
    ayos to. dadami pagpipilian na sub-compacts.. :)

    ano kaya ang estimate price nito sa atin?
       
Filter comments by:
1 to 20 of 34