2014 Mitsubishi Mirage ecodriving highway run: 75 MPG (US) / 3.1 L/100 km

[MetroMPG]

Mitsu launched the car in N.Z. recently and hosted another economy run for auto writers. This time all the cars were 1.2L CVT models (the manual isn't available in NZ.). It wasn't as extensive a run as the Thai event.

The funny bit is the driver who turned in the best score is a "renowned leadfoot". He practiced "extreme" techniques, according to one of his colleages, including:

• engine off at red lights,
• neutral on descents,
• feather-footing the throttle/brake,
• no air conditioning,
• 90kmh in the 100kmh zone

And my personal favourite...

• sneaking the spacesaver spare into the boot of a colleague's car!!

Gotta love the weight "re-distribution" mod!

I've been able to find results for 2 cars, so far:

• 3.3 L/100 km / 71.3 mpg (US)
• 4.2 L/100 km / 56.0 mpg (US)

Full details: New Zealand Mirage economy run: 3.3L/100 km (30.3 km/L, 71.3 mpg US) CVT

[niky]

Creative handicapping. Reminds me of the time when we creatively handicapped our competitors in a diesel versus hybrid fuel run (through traffic) by borrowing the keys to their Prius (2nd gen) and running the battery down by enjoying a nice air-conditioned nap in the car.

Team Diesel still lost. The Prius, with batteries drained, still got 40 mpg in a 4 mph crawl.

[MetroMPG]

Ha! Well, at least you started the trip cooler than the competitors!

----

Some more Mirage eco-driving news: this time the run was in Malaysia in January. 10 teams, 20 drivers.

Results:

• 1st place: 71.9 mpg (US), 3.27 L/100 km, 30.56 km/L, 86.3 mpg (Imp.)
• Fleet average: 63.3 mpg (US), 3.7 L/100 km, 26.9 km/L, 76 mpg (Imp.)

Route & Conditions

• 135 km (84 mi.) total distance, mostly highway, one way
• elevation varied between ~100 to ~300 ft. above sea level
• average speed between 80 - 110 km/h / 50-68 mph
• air conditioner on: temp set at 18 C (lowest) 64 F

More details & video

Video: Malaysia economy run Jan, 2013: 27 km/L avg; 30.6 kmL top (3.3 LHK, 72 mpg US))

.

[SpeedyCorky]

i was super disappointed to see it is a 4 door. 2 extra doors equal at least 100lbs more than a 2 door, possibly as much as 200lbs.

why cant they build something like that that has 2 doors, a lower 5th (or hell, 6th) gear, and weigh under 2000lbs? i just dont get it

[MetroMPG]

Probably because 2-doors don't sell well in the econobox category relative to 4-doors.

Also: 200 lbs to add 2 doors to an econobox? Nuh uh. A 4-door Metro hatch weighed ~40 lbs more than the 2-door hatch.

Agreed on gearing though. However, if a car maker made a transmission with a top gear that would make me happy, the motoring press would make a mockery of it.

[niky]

We have. I hated the gearing on the Cruze 6MT. But then that's more a problem of poor intermediate gearing than top gear.

The Mirage 4-door configuration (and eventual sedan) as well as its short gearing are dictated by market wants.

I've finally gotten to drive one on 15s and with an anti-roll bar, which is what you're likely to get. Fine vehicle. Still not as agile as the Spark, but a fine car nonetheless.

[MetroMPG]

True - a "nerd gear" up top only works when they give the driver something to use for power further down the tree.

Can we find your review of the Mirage online?

[PressEnter[]]

The specialization of some of these "city" cars bothers me. The replacement for my own car, the SkyActiv Mazda3 can manage 40 mpg on the highway. The smaller, lighter Mazda2 does better in town, but can only do 35 mpg on the highway with it's city gearing

[niky]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

True - a "nerd gear" up top only works when they give the driver something to use for power further down the tree.

Can we find your review of the Mirage online?

The magazine one will have no online counterpart, sadly. I quite loved doing it.

On the bright side, I just submitted an online one. A bit short, though, and less detailed than the magazine one. Still working on the tech-walkaround though. Been busy. We did the Car of the Year tests last week. Absolute torture on the ribcage to do so many brake tests in such a short period of time.

[Miller88]

Today was the day they were supposed to announce it. Is it going to be in the US with a 5 speed manual? That's a HUGE thing for me (at least). CVTs are costly and problematic.