Mitsubishi Mirage

Combining Fuel Efficiency and Performance

The perception of car buyers changed radically with the first oil crisis in the early 70s and was reinforced with the second crisis in the late 70s. The stage was set for cars promising fuel economy yet offered both performance and styling. Mitsubishi Motors with its well-spring of experience accumulated over the years was ready to respond to this change in trend. The Mirage was introduced to the Japanese market in 1978 and was launched internationally as the Colt soon after. The key to success rested upon producing a compact car that was economical to operate yet provided advanced styling and passenger comfort. To this end Mitsubishi engineers adopted a front engine, front-wheel drive format to ensure maximum interior space in a 2-door hatchback design. Aerodynamics played a major role in enhancing exterior good looks and improving fuel economy. The Mirage receiving the full treatment incorporated flush surfaces, slant nose design, racked windscreen and concealed drip rails. The Mirage integrated a revolutionary 3-speed automatic transmission with super shift and a choice of either a 1200cc or 1400cc, Orion MCA-JET engine. This winning combination of engines together with advanced aerodynamics gave the Mirage the edge in 1979 when it received the highest U.S. EPA rating for fuel economy.

Mitsubishi continued to develop the Mirage line and in late 1978 released a 4-door hatchback model. A 1600cc engine was added to the lineup in 1979 followed by a model with sunroof in 1980. In 1982, a 1400cc engine with a turbocharger was adopted. This sprite engine with an increased power output of 23ps had a maximum output of 105ps/5,500rpm. To add further depth to the range of offerings, a 4-door sedan popularly known overseas as the Lancer Fiore was added to the lineup. So popular was the lineup that it sold over 1,000,000 units in Japan and in overseas markets during its first five years.

In 1983, the Mirage series underwent its first full model change. The quieter, more comfortable 2nd generation Mirage played on the success of its predecessor featuring a simple sporty image. In order to address a full spectrum of consumer needs, the Mirage lineup featured three body styles; 2 door hatchback, 4-door hatchback and 4-door sedan. It offered varied combinations with a choice of six engines, five transmissions and six model variations. Power performance was upgraded with the adoption of a turborcharged ECI (electric control injection), 1600cc engine with an output of 120ps. An extra boost of 100cc was also added to the popular 1200cc and 1400cc Orion engine line. With the release of the new models, an incredibly fuel efficient 1800cc diesel engine and the award winning computer controlled 1300cc MD (Modulated Displacement) engine were introduced.

In 1985, the Mirage Station Wagon was released. This new model was also marketed as the Lancer Station Wagon and in 1986, a 4WD model was added to the lineup to offer greater versatility.

The 2nd full model change took place in 1987. The overall image of the popular series was strengthened with the 3rd generation's appeal to the young and young at heart. Responsiveness was enhanced for a sportier driving performance and the individual exterior styling provided at a glance recognition. The Mirage Cyborg, the sportiest of the lineup, featured Mitsubishi's new ECI-Multi 16-valve, DOHC, 1600cc, 4GS engine adopting a turbocharger and intercooler combination which developed 145ps/6,000rpm and 21kg.m/2,500rpm.

In 1988, the 4-door sedan was introduced to the market. The hatchback model was marketed overseas as the Colt, and the 4-door sedan as the Lancer. The stylish 4-door sedan featured upgraded interior spaciousness and comfort, larger trunk space and a host of refinements to its exterior designsuch as adopting a long roof, round vertical rear pillar and high deck trunk in a graceful wedge shape. This series was highly regarded worldwide for its innovative features and overall good looks. In 1988, the Colt/Lancer lineup won the prestigious "Das Goldene Lenkrad" (Golden Steering Wheel) award in West Germany.

The 4th generation Mirage was released in 1991 focusing Mitsubishi's engineering skills on safety and environmental concerns of consumers around the world without sacrificing either the stylish good looks or the class leading performance which drivers have come to expect. The 2-door hatchback embraced nimble handling in a sporty package while the 4-door sedan was designed to offer sophisticated styling and elegant ride. The compact Mirage featured class leading interior space, more than adequate luggage space in a new simpler organic form. The lack of frivolous exterior trim, simple elegant lines and a strong image of performance gave the new Mirage great appeal to consumers everywhere. The spacious interior appeared even larger with the adoption of the low beltline providing for an airy interior environment.

The basic running, turning and stopping performances were all upgraded to assure incomparable value. The Mirage lacked nothing when it came to new engine technology, from the 16-valve, DOHC, 1600cc engine and the world's smallest 1600cc, V6 24-valve, DOHC engine to the revolutionary fuel efficient 1400cc MVV (Mitsubishi Vertical Vortex) engine.

The introduction of the 5th generation Mirage came in 1995. As before, the 2-door hatchback model is marketed as the Mitsubishi Colt and the 4-door sedan as the Lancer in overseas markets. The 5th generation hatchback and sedan share major components and common chassis geometry as their predecessors but are designed to project two quite different img.The hatchback version, the sportier of the two was designed to appeal to the younger generation while the sedan version was created with the modern active family in mind. They both incorporate innovative features to enhance safety, comfort and versatility.

Superb running performance is assured with the adoption of Mitsubishi's
INVECS-II transmission with the ability not only to 'learn' driver habits and automatically shift accordingly, but also feature 'sport shift' capabilities which offeres the action and performance of a manual transmission, coupled with the convenience and simplicity of an automatic.