Mitsubishi Mirage – The Practical and Efficient Car For You

The Mitsubishi Mirage (Colt) is produced by Mitsubishi from 1978 to 2003 and later restarted in 2012. The Mirage was available in hatchback, sedan, station wagon, coupe, and liftback body styles. The sedan and wagon models were marketed as the Mitsubishi Lancer, and the current Mirage model introduced in 2012 is marketed as a subcompact hatchback.

First Generation

The first generation Mitsubishi Mirage was revealed in March 1978 as a three- or five-door hatchback with more significant conservation and better fuel economy. The features a stable trapezoidal shape, slanted front end with a radiator grille flanked by rectangular headlights, and a plastic bumper with parking and signal light. In February 1982, a facelifted model was released which included headlights, new grille and larger taillights. The 1978 Mirage was powered by a 1.2-liter or 1.4-liter petrol engine and a 1.6-liter petrol engine with 86 hp was later added to the lineup. From 1982 a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 103 hp was available mated with either a 3-speed automatic, 5-speed manual or four-speed manual Super Shift transmission.

Second Generation

The second generation of the Mitsubishi Mirage was unveiled in 1983 adding a four-door sedan (Lancer Fiore) and later in 1985 and 1986 a five-door wagon was released. The Mirage hatchback was sold as Mirage or Colt, while the sedan and wagon were sold as Lancer. The 1983 Mirage came fitted with a 1.3L or 1.5L 4-cylinder petrol engine and optional 1.6L or 1.8L 4-cylinder petrol engines, and a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine. These engines were mated with the same transmissions as the previous models.

Third Generation

The third generation Colt was unveiled in 1987 that featured a  large glasshouse and an upright tailgate. The front fascia has narrow headlights, signal lights, a flush, narrow, black grille, and a wrapped-around body-colored plastic bumper with a black rubber strip. The hatchback has wide doors with large glass areas from the B-pillar to the raked-forward C-pillar. Inside, you have a flat dashboard, bolstered front bucket seats, and a split-folding seat that can accommodate two passengers.

The 1987 Mirage came fitted with 1.3L and 1.5L r petrol engine and an optional 1.8L petrol engine or a 1.8L diesel engine. The top-range Mirages known as “Cyborg”, comes with turbocharged 1.6L petrol engine with 145 hp mated with either a 4-speed manual, 5-speed manual, or 3-speed automatic transmission. 

Fourth Generation

The fourth generation of the Mitsubishi Mirage was introduced in 1991 with curvier body shape and available in hatchback, sedan, and a coupé. In mid-1992, the four-windowed sedan and a station wagon (Mitsubishi Libero) entered the lineup. The 1992 Mirage/Colt offered 1.3- to 1.8-liter naturally-aspirated petrol, 1.8- and 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol, and 1.8 or 2.0-liter diesel. Above all was a 1.6-liter V6 petrol engine. These engines comes with three- or four-speed automatic, or a four- or five-speed manual transmission. 

Fifth Generation

The fifth generation was unveiled in 1995 and features an outgoing model like amber front turn signal lights, a new trunk lid, and a restyled front grille garnish. In 1997, the Mirage received a minor facelift with new grille and reshaped interior of the headlights while both the sedan and coupé featured redesigned taillights. Under the hood, it came with standard engine, the 1.5-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine (4G15) with 109 hp mated with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission.

Sixth Generation

The sixth generation Mirage hatchback was unveiled in 2012 and the sedan in 2013 focusing on producing an affordable and highly efficient car. They minimized the vehicle’s weight and made use of high-tensile steel in the body and were rewarded with a car that was very light. The Mirage is not very good-looking, but comes with an impressive interior with plenty of headroom and legroom and enough space for four adults with split-folding seats for cargo area. The dashboard has some easy-to-use buttons and standard features including an MP3-compatible CD player, electric windows, and keyless entry.

Under the hood, it came fitted with a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder petrol engine with 70 hp or a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder petrol engine with 76 hp paired with either a CVT or 5-speed manual transmission.

The Mirage was upgraded in 2017 with new front-end design, LED DRLs, and LED taillights. Interior changes includes a better steering wheel, optional touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, an HVAC system, and 300W Rockford Fosgate audio system. Safety features include cruise control, a forward collision mitigation system, and radar sensing forward mitigation. 

Finally

The Mitsubishi Mirage is a reliable and comfortable car that evolves throughout the generations. It is an affordable, reliable, durable, practical, and fun-to-drive vehicle that you will surely like. You can check the Mitsubishi Mirage stocklist for more available model.