Mitsubishi prices Mirage from $12,990

Mitsubishi has revealed a sharp $12,990 starting price (plus on-road costs) for its all-new Mirage city-car, which becomes available in Australia in mid-January.

The Mirage’s sub-$13,000 starting price sets up a showroom tussle with Australia’s cheapest established mini-hatchbacks, including Suzuki’s Alto (from $11,790), Holden’s Barina Spark (from $12,490), Nissan’s Micra (from $13,490) and the Volkswagen up! (from $13,990).

The Thai-built five-seat Mirage five-door costs up to $3500 less than the larger model it replaces - the $16,490 Colt that replaced Mitsubishi’s original Colt here in 2004 - although an automatic transmission costs an extra $2250, putting the entry-level Mirage ES auto at $15,240 plus ORCs.

Three specification grades will be available, with the mid-range Sport priced from $14,190 ($16,440 auto) and the range-topping Mirage LS costing $15,490 ($17,740 auto).

Electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and six airbags including front-side and curtain airbags, plus a 60/40-split folding rear seat, a leather-clad steering wheel with phone and audio controls, and a two-speaker CD sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, audio streaming and USB and AUX inputs.

The Mirage Sport adds 14-inch alloy wheels, roof spoiler and two more speakers, while the top-spec Mirage LS gets 15-inch alloys, foglights, automatic headlights and wipers, keyless starting, climate-control air-conditioning and a more upmarket interior including black/ivory two-tone dash and door trims.??All Mirages will be powered exclusively by a 57kW/100Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine matched with either five-speed manual gearbox or continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmissions.

That makes it more powerful than the three-cylinder engines in the Alto (50kW/90Nm 1.0-litre), up! (55kW/95Nm 1.0-litre) and Micra (56kW/100Nm 1.2-litre), but slightly down on the Spark’s 59kW/107Nm 1.2-litre four-pot.

However, in manual form, Mitsubishi says the Mirage will be the most fuel-efficient car in its class, consuming as little as 4.6L/100km (CVT: 4.9L/100km). Although the smaller 1.0-litre Alto consumes 4.5L/100km, the manual-only up! returns 4.8L/100km, the Barina Spark achieves 5.2L/100km and the Micra consumes 6.5L/100km.

Mitsubishi also claims the Mirage, which it describes as nimble and fun to drive, offers a class-leading 8.8-metre turning circle.

Six exterior paint colours will be available: Mulberry, Cyber Blue (LS only), Red Planet, Midnight Black (LS only), Cool Silver and White.

Mitsubishi hopes to sell 6000 Mirages a year in Australia next year, increasing its total sales by about 10 per cent, and said it decided to reveal pricing before the Mirage’s showroom release due to overwhelming interest both online and in dealerships.

“As you can see, starting at $12,990 the all-new Mirage is great value for money, offering lively performance and a brand new stylish design and is already appealing to customers ahead of its arrival,” said Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited CEO Mutsuhiro Oshikiri.

“In the first two weeks of our ‘Win a Mirage’ Facebook pre-sale campaign, we have had over 3500 entries and a high level of ‘registrations of interest’ through our website and in dealerships.”

2013 Mirage pricing (plus on-road costs):
Mirage ES - $12,990
Mirage ES auto - $15,240
Mirage Sport - $14,190
Mirage Sport auto - $16,440
Mirage LS - $15,490
Mirage LS auto - $17740

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