More than 9 months after the new Mirage made its world premiere at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and following its sales launch in Thailand (where it is produced) earlier this year, Mitsubishi announced today that its affordable entry in the small car segment will go on sale in its home market of Japan on August 31, 2012.
Pricing for the five-door hatchback in Japan ranges from ¥998,000 to ¥1,288,000 (about $12,800 to $16,500 or €10,300 to €13,400).
Mitsubishi said it has been accepting orders for the new Mirage since June 26 and it has already received over 5,000 orders as of the end of July. The Japanese company has set a sales target of 30,000 units for the 2012 fiscal year.
In Japan, the 3,710 mm long, 1,665 mm wide and 1,490 mm tall Mirage will be offered in three trim levels with all models coming with a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder MIVEC gasoline engine coupled to a new version of the firm’s CVT transmission driving the front wheels.
The two higher end trim grades (‘M’ and ‘G’) employ Eco Drive Assist and AS&G star-stop systems to return a fuel economy of 27.2 km/liter (equal to 64mpg US, 76.8mpg UK and 3.7lt/100km), allegedly making the Mirage the most fuel efficient non-hybrid gasoline car in Japan.
Mitsubishi said that it will roll out the Mirage in Europe, Australia and other regions later in the year. Company officials are also considering to offer the car in North America but a final decision has yet to be made.
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