Three years after its global debut in Thailand, the Mitsubishi Mirage has been given a mid-lifecycle update, as well as a significant upgrade in its list of safety features. The new Mirage was launched today at the 2015 Thailand International Motor Expo, with prices ranging from THB 383,000 to THB 567,000.
Nevermind about other A-segment cars, the new Mirage has more safety features than many other C-segment models.
The previous Mirage was designed to meet Thailand’s Eco Car programme, which entitles it to a lower 17 percent excise duty. Phase 2 of the programme however, which is scheduled to begin in 2019, will add compliance to Euro 5 emission standards as a requirement.
Thailand will also be switching to a CO2 emissions-based excise duty structure by 1-January 2016, which require cars to emit no more than 100 g/km of CO2 to qualify for the lowest 14 percent excise duty rate for eco-cars.
As such, the specifications of the new Mirage mirrors that of its European-market counterparts, adding electronic stability control (or Active Stability Contro, ASC in Mitsubishi’s terminology) as a standard feature across the range. Hill start assist, emergency stop signal (automatically turns on the hazard lights when emergency braking is applied) are also standard.
The highest grade GLS model gets an intra-city, low-speed autonomous emergency braking (Forward Collision Mitigation System, up to 30 km/h) and a misacceleration mitigation system, which prevents the driver from accidently accelerating towards a wall (misshifting between Reverse and Drive for example).
Airbag count however, remains at only two.
The 1.2-litre three-cylinder MIVEC engine has been updated to emit only 98 g/km of CO2. Thankfully, power output remains unchanged at 78 PS at 6,000 rpm, while torque is maintained at 100 Nm at 4,000 rpm.
Fuel economy has also been improved from 21 km/litre to 23.8 km/litre.
The improvements were achieved by lowering the friction of the engine’s internal components, using diamond-like carbon coated piston ring, low friction timing chain, and a Multistage Generation Control with IBS (Intelligent Battery Sensor).
The CVT has also been improved with a G-Sensor system and Idle Neutral Control for lower fuel consumption.
From the outside, the new Mirage is differentiated by its Bi-Xenon HID headlamps with LED daytime running lights (GLS model only) and LED tail lights. The grille and front bumper has also been changed slightly. Lower range models get halogen headlamps, with their LED daytime running lights fitted into the front bumper.
Inside, its still the cabin remains largely unchaged.
Prices in Thailand range from THB 383,000 to THB 567,000.
Keyword: Bangkok 2015: New Mitsubishi Mirage Launched In Thailand - Impressive List of Safety Features!