Seeing how…successful the i-MiEV was with North American buyers, the maker of the Lancer EVO, and once upon a time, of the Eclipse and 3000 GT as well, is expanding its local sub-compact offerings with the new Mirage, a small five-door hatch that measures jut 148.8 inches (3,779mm) long, 65.6 inches (1,666mm) wide and 59.1 inches (1,501mm) tall.
The Mirage nameplate has been used in the past, though; this does not really explain Mitsubishi’s “triumphant” press statement: “Making a triumphant return to the North American marketplace, the all-new 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage 5-door sub-compact is the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid gasoline vehicle available in America.”
Powering the U.S. market Mirage is a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with Mitsubishi’s MIVEC variable valve-timing system, producing 74hp and 74 lb.-ft. of torque, with gearbox options including a 5-speed manual and a continuously-variable transmission (CVT), both driving the front wheels.
With the CVT, Mitsubishi estimates that the Mirage will return a fuel economy of 40 mpg combined, 37 mpg city and 44 mpg highway.
Standard features on all models will include seven air-bags; Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control Logic (TC); automatic climate control; power windows with driver’s side auto-up/down; power side mirrors; and a 4 speaker 140-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with USB/iPod input.
Sales of the 2014 Mirage in the States will begin this fall with pricing to be announced.
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