Mitsubishi Motors, for the first time in South Africa, has entered the ever-popular A-Segment. The Mitsubishi Mirage ticks all the boxes for the supermini segment – great quality, generous specifications and minimal fuel consumption. The Mirage builds on the success of the model line overseas, and has demonstrated exceptional sales in international markets.
Wynand Pretorius, Chief Operations Officer at Mitsubishi Motors South Africa, comments: “The Mitsubishi Brand is on a continuing renaissance in South Africa, and with the all-new Mirage we are opening our brand to a new buying audience who place affordability, quality and specification at the top of the buying decision. And, when everything else seems more expensive, to launch a superb value car like the Mirage, with its big heart, makes perfect sense for the South African market.”
The new Mitsubishi Mirage enters the local market with the full might of the Mitsubishi brand behind it – a badge which signifies exceptional reliability, integrity and practicality from one of Japan’s foremost automotive manufacturers, and one which has produced some of the world’s most iconic vehicles.
“People know us for tremendous off-roaders and exceptional durability, and we are now set to attract a new demographic to the Mitsubishi brand with our first ever supermini. We know just how competitive the supermini segment is in South Africa and as such we have ensured that Mirage is aggressively priced to take the fight to more established marques in the segment.”
“We are launching Mirage with a very competitive R1 899 per month finance proposition which includes 12-months comprehensive insurance, making overall car ownership that much more affordable for younger buyers,” concludes Pretorius.
Mirage takes affordability to the next level
Three brand-new Mirage derivatives make up the new range in South Africa, each of which has been designed to offer different levels of specification with no compromise on powertrain, safety or efficiency.
The funky, fashionable and youthful exterior styling sees a truly distinct design language giving the new Mirage a unique character in its segment. The rounded front end is optimised for aerodynamic efficiency and visual appeal, and makes way for the vehicle’s compact proportions.
The upbeat and cheerful paint colour spectrum available on the new Mirage range comprises a mix of bright and trendy colours which highlight the fun-to-drive element of this new vehicle. From Lemonade Yellow Metallic to Medium Blue Mica and Red Metallic, all hues liven up the already bubbly personality of the new Mirage.
The five-door design also sees strong styling creases on the flanks met by either 14- or 15-inch wheels, and the pert rear end features a sassy design theme and characterful tail light clusters. Compact proportions – the Mirage is just 3.71 metres long – enhance manoeuvrability, as does the exceptionally tight, class-leading turning radius of just 4.6 metres.
On the inside, the Mirage boasts an unexpectedly roomy cabin, finished in attractive and durable cloth trim. All models also feature five cup or bottle holders, folding rear seats in a 60:40 split and height adjustment for the driver’s seat.
The delightful specification level is perfect for the supermini market – standard features across the range include dual airbags, air conditioning, electric windows, a radio/CD audio system and steering wheel audio controls.
Each of the three derivatives is powered by Mitsubishi’s surprisingly sprightly 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder DOHC petrol engine. The impressive power – 57 kW at 6 000 rpm – is delivered to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. The 100 Nm of torque peaks at 4 000 rpm.
Featuring MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control), fuel efficiency was the most important engineering attribute during Mirage development. The results speak for themselves – the Mirage is touted as the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid petrol-engined vehicle in the United States.
Average fuel economy on the combined cycle in the South African context is just 4.9-litres per 100 km, with CO2 emissions of 115 g/km. The new Mirage is fitted with a 35-litre fuel tank which equates to potential range of over 700 km. Lightweight construction also aids in reducing fuel consumption, and the Mirage is claimed to be the lightest 5-door, 5-passenger vehicle on sale in the USA – its kerb weight is just 825 kg.
Awards galore
The Mitsubishi Mirage has already been making waves in international markets, where a list of accolades goes to show its superiority in the supermini segment.
These awards include the 2014 Automotive Science Group’s ‘Best All-round Performance Award’ in North America, the 2012-2013 Car of the Year award by the Car Awards Group in the Philippines, and an 18 out of 20 rating by Top Gear magazine in the Philippines, who stated the Mirage as being “the sweetest deal in town” for single people or young couples on a budget.
Perhaps most significantly, the Mirage was named as one of Forbes Magazine’s ’12 Greenest Cars of 2014′ – one of only two non-hybrid vehicles to make the coveted list.
Three-model range offers value in every respect
The new Mitsubishi Mirage range is fronted by the new 1.2 MIVEC GL, which includes standard equipment like keyless entry, a radio/CD audio system, colour-coded bumpers, a third rear brake light, electric power steering with a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, a multi-information display, front electric windows and manual air conditioning with a pollen filter. Fourteen-inch steel wheels are available as well as a full-size spare.
The Mirage 1.2 MIVEC GLX represents the mid-range model, adding a number of features to GL specification. These include a fuel efficiency indicator in the instrument panel, 15-inch alloy wheels with a full-size alloy spare, colour coded mirrors and door handles, electric side mirrors, a cheeky rear spoiler with integrated third brake light, a leather-bound multi-function steering wheel, an accessory socket and a USB port added to the audio system.
Topping the new Mirage range is the 1.2 MIVEC GLS, which features keyless starting to complement the keyless entry, rear electric windows, auto up/down for the driver’s window with an anti-pinch function, fully automatic climate control and front fog lights.
Making a fashion statement
Playing into the hands of the trend-setting young buyers at whom the new Mirage is aimed, an optional accessory package allows Mirage owners to personalise their vehicle and stand out from the mainstream. Available for a value-busting R15 500, the accessory package can be fitted to any Mirage derivative and includes a cargo organiser, a centre arm rest console, front lower bumper garnish, rear parking sensors, satellite navigation and premium carpets.
Safety first
The full Mirage range not only represents value for money, but also no compromise on safety equipment, even in the GL model. All derivatives feature a full complement of safety equipment, including dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and ISOFIX child seat anchor points, as well as central locking and an immobiliser, linked to the keyless entry system.
Crash safety is further reinforced by Mitsubishi’s RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body construction. This has led to the Mirage receiving the highest-possible ‘Good’ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States for the ‘moderate overlap front’, ‘side’, ‘roof strength’ and ‘head restraints and seats’ crash test modules. In Australia, the Mirage has achieved a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Pricing and warranty
All new Mitsubishi Mirage models are backed by Mitsubishi’s comprehensive 3-year/ 100 000 km warranty. Service intervals are set at every 15 000 km, and a 2-year/ 30 000 km service plan is included in the retail price.
| New Mitsubishi Mirage | Retail price incl. VAT |
| Mirage 1.2 MIVEC GL 5M/T | R124,900 (incl. 12 months comprehensive insurance) |
| Mirage 1.2 MIVEC GLX 5M/T | R134,900 (incl. 12 months comprehensive insurance) |
| Mirage 1.2 MIVEC GLS 5M/T | R144,900 (incl. 12 months comprehensive insurance) |
