Mitsubishi Mirage (A03A) Minor Change

2016 Mitsubishi Mirage

Ever since Mitsubishi revived the Mirage in 2012 as a compact, Mitsubishi wanted a compact car that can match the likes of the Nissan March, even though both of these compacts were fully imported from Thailand. While the fuel efficiency is the main topic in this Thai-import eco car, the design remains to be somewhat stagnant by some. It maybe cheap to own but its not cheerful as what you think.

To resolve this, there's a minor change to the current Mirage and while the new exterior design is somewhat promising to look at, it's been given some added tech to keep this compact car imported from Thailand more premium than the pre-facelifted Mirage. On the outside view, the new look gives the Mirage a more sleek and sporty feel but don't be alarmed because even though it's now sleeker than the previous model, it's not as surprisingly fun to drive with. On the inside, it still remains that cheap flavor which is as cheap as buying a dirty ice cream from a street vendor, even when you're opting for optional extras such as a sat-nav.

The old 3A90 MIVEC 1.0L engine has been thrown away and in return, the only engine available for the facelifted Mirage is a 3A92 MIVEC 1.2L engine, which produces 78PS of power and 100Nm of torque, while mated with the INVECS-III CVT. Fuel economy is expected at around 25.4km/L and when compared to the Nissan March K13's, it's around 2.4km/L more, meaning that it's more fuel-efficient.

Anyway, there is now tech included in the new Mirage and this new tech is called the FCM-City. FCM is Forward Collision Mitigation system and this new feature detects ongoing vehicles as well as taking advantage autonomous braking system. Safety wise, the new Mirage even comes with anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution, active stability control, emergency stop signal system, and many more.

The new Mirage starts from 1,380,240 Yen for the M model and up to 1,485,000 for the top-of-the-line G model. Should you buy it? The rest is up to you.

Available colors: Wine Red Pearl, Sunrise Orange Metallic, White Pearl, Red Metallic, Cerulean Blue Mica, Cool Silver Metallic, Titanium Grey Metallic, and Black Mica.

Photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

March K13 vs. Mirage A05A

Nissan March K13

Mitsubishi Mirage A05A

Both these fuel-efficient Japanese compact eco-cars, the Nissan March K13 and the all new Mitsubishi Mirage (A05A), were imported from Thailand. The K13 March was assembled in Samut Prakan while the all new Mirage was made in Laem Chabang. Tell you what though, which of these low-cost, made-in-Thailand Japanese eco-cars we think is better? It's Samut Prakan vs. Laem Chabang. Those Thais were getting crazy for letting us comparing their works.

Here's what's what...

NISSAN MARCH K13

Price: 1,036,350 - 1,644,300 Japanese Yen

Fuel Economy (JC08): 18.4 - 23.0km/L

Weight: 940- 1,040kg

Engine: 1.2L HR12DE 3-cylinder DOHC CVTC engine

Power: 79PS

Doors: 5

Seats: 5

MITSUBISHI MIRAGE (A05A)

Price: 998,000 - 1,288,000 Japanese Yen

Fuel Economy (JC08): 23.0 - 27.2km/L

Weight: 960-970kg

Engine: 1.0L 3A90 3-cylinder DOHC MIVEC engine

Power: 64PS

Doors: 5

Seats: 5

Let me put it this way, the new Mirage is a bit slower than the March K13 but let's not forget that this one has a fuel economy of 27.2km/L, that's more than the K13 but with the weight of 960kg when you go for the entry level E variant, it seems that's 20kg heavier than the entry-level March K13's 12S V Package.

When it comes to their interiors, it seems that the Nissan March K13 has a step ahead against the new Mirage's interior. Even though their a bit plain and as comfortable as a Philippine taxi, both the interiors are a bit too cheap and when you're in a driver's seat, it feels like you're in the passenger seat when it comes to its driving feel. With the seating for five, you can take three kids at the back and your wife next to you. Or, you can bring your barkadas for a trip to the mall or at McDonald's.

When it comes to the price, the Mirage is cheaper than the March K13 because it costs at around 998,000 Japanese Yen, cheaper than the March K13's 1,036,350 Japanese Yen intro price.

So here's a top tip; if you want a Thai-made Japanese eco-car that is cheap and fuel efficient, get a Mirage. Just saying....

Mitsubishi Mirage (A05A)

There are so many eco cars sold around Japan such as the Nissan March K13, which can do 23km/L. Then there was the Toyota Vitz that goes about 20.8km/L. And then, there was the Daihatsu Move which has the reputation of TNP27. 27km/L to be exact. Now however, there's a new eco car that works and...made in Thailand like the March...

2013 Mitsubishi Mirage

Here it is. It's called the Mitsubishi Mirage (三菱・ミラージュ). As if some you may know, the Mirage naming is back as the direct rival to the Nissan March K13 even though both of them are made in Thailand. Like the March K13, the Mirage features a very simple design which is a bit too bland for us, and um....well like the March K13, the new Mirage comes with the idling stop function that shuts off the engine when stopped and then start again when mobilized. Unlike the March K13, the new Mirage has a fuel economy of 27.2km/L based on the JC08 test cycle. That's about a Suzuki MR Wagon territory because....well, yeah, both the MR Wagon and the new Mirage can do about 27.2km/L, .2km/L more than the TNP27 Daihatsu Move. Because the new Mirage weighs 870kg, it's lighter than the Nissan March K13! Don't forget that.

It's probably thanks to the newly-developed 3A90 MIVEC 1.0L engine mated with the new generation INVECS-III CVT for smoother ride and low fuel consumption. The 3A90 engine though, this produces 69 PS (51 kW; 68 hp) of power and 8.8 kg·m (86 N·m; 64 lb·ft) of torque. That's about less than the Nissan March K13 so....not good. INVECS-III CVT...not good. Handling....not good. Performance...not good. Interior...not good.

2013 Mitsubishi Mirage interior

Yes, I know, the interior's a bit too plain and cheap. About as bland as the Toyota Passo I've examined two years ago. Once opted with the more expensive version, I might get a satellite navigation or a radio because a Mirage without an audio is a bit too....dull. How can I listen to my favorite radio stations if I don't have it? I mean, it's unlawful to have headphones while driving. As for the seating comfort, well, these seats is as comfortable as a...well, a Nissan March K13 of some sorts! This is about the same experience as I can imagine to Thai-made Japanese cars but that's fine by me because the price for the new Mirage, imported from Thailand, is 998,000 Japanese Yen for the basic E grade, 1,188,000 Japanese Yen for the mid-range M grade, and 1,288,000 Japanese Yen for the top of the line G grade.

Available colors are: Lemonade Yellow Metallic, Pop Green Metallic, Cassis Purple Metallic, Cerulean Blue Mica, Red Metallic, White Pearl, Black Mica, and Cool Silver Metallic.

My comment:

You can forget the Nissan March K13. If I have to keep one fuel-efficient car in my garage, this would be it. This one with the new 3A90 MIVEC 1.0L engine mated with the new generation INVECS-III CVT. This one that promises 27.2km/L of fuel economy. Sure, the Mirage is about as practical as a Philippine taxi but as an everyday car, you can do better. It maybe cheap because of the 998,000 Japanese Yen pricing but I'm afraid like the others, it isn't cheerful. You can give it to your girlfriend because she likes it.

Photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

The Mitsubishi Mirage is back!

2013 Mitsubishi Mirage

2013 Mitsubishi Mirage interior

So, the production version of Mitsubishi's newest compact hatchback is none other than the Mitsubishi Mirage... It seems that this Japanese auto brand's returning a familiar name and a country like Thailand will get it first before the rest of the world.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/11/mitsubishi-new-low-cost-mirage.html