2014 Mirage weighs in at just 1973 lbs (5MT); list of lightest cars U.S.

[MetroMPG]

(2014 Mitsubishi Mirage driving past a portly Ford Fiesta (?))

I just got word from Mitsu USA that the curb weight for the 2014 Mirage is:

• 1973 lbs (894 kg) - manual transmission (5 speed)
• 2029 lbs (920 kg) - automatic (CVT)

That makes it the lightest car with more than 2 seats in the US/Canada. (It's actually got 5 seats.)

And it goes a long way to explaining why the car gets above average fuel economy ratings, especially in the city:

• 37 / 44 MPG (US) city/hwy for the CVT
• 34 / 42 MPG (US) city/hwy for the 5MT

Current list of lightest 2014 contenders... (OK, I admit I didn't look at what Lotus is selling these days.)

Car ... Manual Weight lbs (kg) ... Automatic Weight lbs (kg)

1. Smart ForTwo ... n/a ... 1808 (820)
2. Mitsubishi Mirage (US) ... 1973 (894) ... 2029 (920)
3. Scion iQ ... n/a ... 2127 (965)
4. Toyota Yaris ... 2295 (1041) ... 2315 (1050)
5. Mazda 2 ... 2306 (1045) ... 2359 (1070)
6. Chevrolet Spark ... 2269 (1029) ... 2337 (1060)
7. Nissan Versa (sedan) ... 2354 (1068) ... 2412 (1094)
8. Fiat 500 ... 2363 (1072) ... 2434 (1104)
9. Hyundai Accent ... 2396 (1087) ... 2463 (1117)
10. Kia Rio ... 2410 (1093) ... 2480 (1125)
11. Honda Fit ... 2496 (1132) ... 2577 (1169)
12. Mini Cooper ... 2535 (1150) ... 2612 (1185)
13. Ford Fiesta ... 2537 (1151) ... 2575 (1168)

From: 12 lightest cars in the US, 2014 (vs. Mitsubishi Mirage 1973 lbs curb weight))

The Mirage's closest competitor in the US/Canada will be the Chevy Spark -- 200 lbs heavier.

The Fiesta 1.0 turbo will probably weigh a bit less than the 4-cyl (quoted).

[HyperMileQC]

Thats pretty impressive for a 5-seater car!

[gone-ot]

...but, do you have to buy TWO? One for each foot (wink,wink)?

[MetroMPG]

It busts the myth that cars are overweight "because of the all the safety equipment" (commonly heard).

It's less than 100 lbs heavier than my Firefly/Metro, yet it's got vastly better crash protection (5/5 stars Australian NCAP), with better engineering (strategic use of high tensile steel), 7 airbags, ABS, traction/stability control... (1998 Firefly/Metro: 1895 lbs. curb weight according to Edmunds).

And it's got more creature comforts: AC/power windows/locks, etc, etc. And it's got more power (better power:weight ratio). And better fuel economy.

Automakers are talking a lot about weight reduction these past few years. We're already starting to see re-designed models weighing less than the outgoing ones.

[gone-ot]

As Dr Ruth used to say, "...it's not what you got, but how you use what you got...", referring to sheet-metal design & fabriation, of course (wink,wink)!

[Xist]

In "Police Academy," Hightower ripped out the front seat and drove from the back. People joke about me doing the same, but I am five inches shorter than Bubba Smith.

However, a five-seater lighter than a two-seater, and in the smartcar you can move the driver's seat all of the way to the back window...

I wonder how happy those five people would be.

However, I hope that it catches on. I seem to be the only one complaining.

[Xist]

"It's not what you do with it, it's the size that counts!"--"Canada is Really Big," by Arrogant Worms.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

It busts the myth that cars are overweight "because of the all the safety equipment" (commonly heard).

How is this busted?

In fact, it is proved by your own comments on the linked thread:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Crossing the pond, the car gained a 7th airbag and a beefier rear bumper...

...I'd say it's safe to add 40 lbs / 18 kg to the Ozzie figures to get the US curb weight.

With reasonable safety requirements this car would still shed 40lbs (actually, I'd guess more like 100+lbs).

[MetroMPG]

To me, it's busted because I've read countless comments pver the years from people explaining that the relentless march we've seen towards ~2500 lb subcompacts is "because of the safety requirements".

No. Here's a <2k lb subcompact "with all the safety requirements".

[darcane]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

To me, it's busted because I've read countless comments pver the years from people explaining that the relentless march we've seen towards ~2500 lb subcompacts is "because of the safety requirements".

No. Here's a <2k lb subcompact "with all the safety requirements".

Well, I think that has more to do with the similar gripe of cars getting continuously larger with each new model.

Many of the subcompacts are only just barely in that category. The new Ford Fiesta sedan (subcompact) is larger externally in every dimension than my '01 Civic (a compact, not a subcompact). Both of which are more than two feet longer than the Mirage!

It is impressive that the Mirage is several hundred pounds lighter than other cars similar in size (Spark, Yaris, Fiat 500). I would be interested in knowing exactly how they manage it. I mean, strategic use of various grades of high-strength steel is all well and good... but ALL modern manufacturer's do this.

Volvo: http://boronextrication.com/files/20...UHSS_Boron.jpg
GM: http://www.collisionweek.com/cw/news...8-ats-body.gif
Audi: http://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/Cont...0000025688.jpg
(to name a few that I could quickly find fancy pictures)