2014 Mitsubishi Mirage 3-cyl coming to U.S. & Canada this year - 40 MPG (US) combined

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Power corrupts.

True, but ABSolute power makes bigger ABS as you push vehicle up hills (wink,wink)!

[MetroMPG]

Or perhaps ABSolute power makes it more likely you'll activate the ABS trying to scrub off excessive speed?

[user removed]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Or perhaps ABSolute power makes it more likely you'll activate the ABS trying to scrub off excessive speed?

Dat Man be a poet.

regards
mech

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Still don't know what transmissions will be available in the US, where only around 6.5% of new cars have manual shift these days. You can understand why a company might say "why bother".

Altough manual transmissions are easier to perform maintenance, the CVT is more comfortable in heavy urban traffic, and in spite of the current usage of electronic controls its hardware is not so complicated at all. And, with some electronic tuning, it can be even possible to have an EOC functionality.

[MetroMPG]

Interesting tidbit:

As of August 2012, the Mirage 1.0L 5-speed is the most fuel-efficient gasoline non-hyrbid car in Japan, excluding minicars.

The new Mirage launched in August 2012 surpasses Japan’s fuel efficiency standard for 2015 by 20%.

We're going to have to mount a campaign to get the 1.0L in North America. So far, we're only supposed to get the 1.2.

2013/2014 M irage mpg / fuel economy ratings by country (Space Star also)

[niky]

Should force Chevy to bring the Spark 1.0, too. Despite the on-paper deficit to the 1.2, it's just as torquey in real-world motoring, while providing benefits in terms of economy.

[MetroMPG]

Unfortunately, the Spark is hindered by quite a bit more mass:
> 2269 lbs / 1029 kg (manual transmission ) - source: GM Canada

Compare to the Australian spec Mirage:
> 1907 lbs / 865 kg (manual) - source: Australian brochure

The portly Chevy is 362 lbs more! That's a massive difference to foist on an even smaller engine (pardon the pun ).

Though I'd expect the Canada/US Mirage to gain a few more pounds over the Australian model - more stringent bumper regulations, for one thing.

[MetroMPG]

Niky: out of curiosity, have you driven this new Mitsu? Written about it?

[niky]

I'm getting my first hands-on next week as I'm lead on a magazine group test for one. Was supposed to drive one a few weeks ago, but I had family matters to take care of then.

I can post a few pics and impressions, but not much more. Contractual obligations. However, if I do manage to get some (unofficial) pictures on the side, particularly of the mechanicals, I'll try to post them up with some thoughts.

Was hoping to do a tech article on it like I did for the Hyundai Eon (a competitor) here:
Technical Analysis: 2012 Hyundai Eon 0.8L MT
But that doesn't fit the format of the magazine.

(Kinda embarrassing to look at that afterwards... wrote it off-the-cuff and I'm not completely satisfied that my premise regarding caster and the front suspension was correct, as looking at it now, it seems like the front anti-roll bar might decrease caster under load, leading to worse handling and more understeer. Oh well... )

I expect the Mirage to be much more conventional, but I'm hoping we'll find some surprising and neat stuff during the test, anyway.

[user removed]

Great article Nicky. Wish they would bring those small cars to the US. I would drive one. Compare it to a 1958 Volkswagen with something like 28 HP. I managed to survive 70 MPH Interstates in that VW before the 1973 oil embargo.

regards
Mech