With no fanfare, Mitsubishi has slipped a sedan version of the Mitsubishi Mirage Sedan onto the Australian market, priced from $14,490.
While Mitsubishi seems to be adopting the Get Smart ‘Cone Of Silence’ for the Mirage sedan, major rival Honda has been very keen to push its City sedan and we’ve just enjoyed two weeks back-to-back in both variants – look for our review in coming days. And while we’ve not even laid eyes on a Mirage sedan, it will need to be very good to best the excellent Honda City.
The current Mitsubishi Mirage debuted 18 months ago but the new sedan is actually the first Mirage sedan in the model’s 18-year history.
With a wheelbase extended by 100mm over the hatchback and a 450-litre boot capacity, Mitsubishi says the Mirage sedan is a genuine five-seater. The sedan also runs wider front and rear tracks.
No mechanical changes from the Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback to the sedan with the 57kW/100Nm 1.2-litre engine driving the front wheels via either a five-speed manual transmission or a CVT automatic.
Fuel consumption is rated at 4.9l/100kms
Mitsubishi says the Mirage sedan gains a new gear shift control calibration which provides better acceleration and reduces the dreaded CVT transmission slip. As well the CVT provides a ‘neutral idle’ which minimizes vibration while stationary.
In fact refinement was a focus in developing the Mitsubishi Mirage sedan – with extra insulation fitted in the front fenders, floor areas dash panel, cowl top and A and C-pillars and new hydraulic engine mounts.
Underneath suspension dampers and anti-roll bars have been tuned specifically for the sedan.
Mitsubishi has launched the Mirage sedan in two models – entry-level ES (manual or CVT) or range-topping LS (CVT only).
Over the ES, LS model gains climate control air-conditioning, keyless entry, automatic headlights and wipers, leather-wrapped steering wheel, privacy glass black embossed knit interior trim and chrome and silver interior highlights.
Prices are:
ES manual $14,490
ES automatic $16,490
LS automatic $17,490
