The Japan based automaker, Mitsubishi, has come up on stage at the 2013 New York Auto Show with the new 2014 Mirage hatchback, which will go on sale later this year in Uncle Sam’s country. It is a sub-compact 5-door hatchback, which according to the manufacturer is the most fuel efficient non-hybrid petrol vehicle available in America. The Mitsubishi Mirage is sculpted with soft styling elements which make the car look simple yet modern in terms of design. Mitsubishi’s RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) impact-absorbing safety cell technology is used with the exteriors that utilizes a body structure with an impact energy-absorbing front end.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is powered by a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder engine with Mitsubishi’s MIVEC variable valve-timing technology that produces 74 HP of maximum power with 100 Nm of peak torque, mated to an optional 5-speed manual transmission and a CVT (continuously-variable transmission), transmitting the power and torque to the front wheels. Mitsubishi claims that the Mirage hatchback with the CVT automatic transmission can return an overall fuel economy of 17 km/l.
The Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback is equipped with features including 7 airbags, Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control, automatic climate control, power windows, power side mirrors and a 4 speaker 140-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with USB/iPod input. We don’t expect Mitsubishi to introduce the Mirage hatchback anytime soon in the Indian market, as the manufacturer is struggling with its product strategy in India. The only product doing decent amount of sales is the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport that competes with the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and Chevrolet Captiva in the Indian market.
When Mitsubishi can launch the sub-compact Mirage in the US markets, it’s shocking to see the company not planning to bring it to India. Small cars dominate the Indian market, while it is the exact opposite in the States. Mitsubishi can boost volumes drastically in India but the company has been hell bent on selling only SUVs, which account for a minor share. More than 70% cars sold in India are small cars and the Mitsubishi Mirage definitely has huge scope in our country.
