Mitsubishi Mirage 2014 News

Micro cars may be on the nose in Australia but no one seems to have told the makers.

Sausages are sizzling, the hessian fences are up and those weird inflatable statues are flapping in the breeze: it's clearance sale time at new-car yards across Australia.

The small-car segment has plenty of options - the players are frugal yet safe and well-appointed. Here are the best buys under $16K.

Updated Mirage hatch range promises greater refinement and value. For 2015 the Mitsubishi Mirage light hatchback range will offer improved passenger comfort and standard equipment levels while becoming more affordable than before. There will be just two trim levels for the updated model – ES and LS - with the mid-spec Sport variant dropped from the local range. Now priced from $11,490 in ES trim with a manual transmission, the 2015 model is $1500 less expensive than the outgoing entry-level Mirage. The updated Mirage ES gains an all-black interior design, emergency hazard light activation under heavy braking, a cargo space light and a smaller roof antenna over the current model. This is on top of the already standard 14-inch wheels, air-conditioning, Bluetooth phone and audio, AM/FM CD player with USB and AUX input, power windows and power door mirrors. The $12,990 LS model gains cruise control and privacy glass for 2015 on top of climate control air-con, 15-inch alloys, front fog lamps, rear spoiler and 4-speaker audio system. Both models come standard with a 5-speed manual transmission while a CVT automatic is available as a $2,000 option across both trim levels. The Mirage hatch is powered by a 59kW/100Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine capable of using 4.6L/100km combined. The 2015 Mirage hatch range has also been treated to the same NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) package as the sedan launched earlier this year. Mitsubishi claim that additional sound deadening in the floor, dashboard and A-pillars has resulted in improved cabin acoustics, while new engine mounts reduce engine noise and vibration. The Mirage range is been awarded a five star ANCAP safety rating, courtsey of six airbags, stability control and ABS brakes with EBD (electronic brake force distribution). A five-year 100,000km warranty with four years capped price servicing is also standard across all Mirage models.

Mitsubishi adds sedan bodystyle to the popular Mirage small car range.The Mitsubishi Mirage sedan has arrived in Australia priced from $14,490, boasting a five star ANCAP safety rating and generous interior dimensions. Known as the Attrage in other markets, the new model benefits from a 100mm wheelbase extension over the Mirage hatch to give an impressive 944mm of rear passenger legroom and a generous 450-litre boot. Mitsubishi claim the new sedan can comfortably seat five adults and carry their luggage.“The new Mirage sedan balances value, style and safety with low running costs, making it the ideal choice for customers looking to downsize into a smaller, more fuel-efficient car without compromising on features and space,” Mitsubishi Australia marketing boss Tony Principe said.Attention has been paid to noise, vibration and harshness levels for the sedan, and Mitsubishi claims refinement has improved over its hatchback sibling. All Mirage sedan models carry a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.9 litres/100km thanks to the frugal  57kW/100Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine also seen in the hatch.A five-speed manual gearbox comes standard on the entry level Mirage ES, while the CVT automatic equipped version commands a $2,000 premium at $16,490. The Mirage ES comes with dual front, side and curtain airbags, stability and traction control, unique 15-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity with voice control, plus steering wheel phone and audio controls. The top-spec $17,490 Mirage LS sedan gains single-zone climate control, push-button start, auto headlights and wipers, and the CVT automatic gearbox as standard.

The new family of engines will give 15 Toyota and Daihatsu models an efficiency gain of up to 30%, including Toyota's new Yaris due in 2015.The Yaris will be battling for top spot in light car sales with the upcoming Mazda 2 and Ford Fiesta, which will have similar efficiency gains from its skyactiv and EcoBoost technology respectively. The new engines could also help the rumoured upcoming Toyota Rush become the one of the most efficient SUVs in Australia.The 1.3-litre and 1.0-litre power plants have been co-developed with Toyota's small car brand, Daihatsu. Both units take advantage of an Atkinson cycle, which increases the compression ratio and reduces waste heat to operate more efficiently. However, the Atkinson cycle produces less power than ordinary engines, which has limited its use mainly to Hybrid cars until now.But Toyota has packed both engines with technology to help retain maximum power while optimising economy. A range of new developments will help the engines breathe better, achieving optimal efficiency. For example, the 1.3-litre will have a cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, a redesigned intake port and electronically controlled variable valve timing (VVT-iE).Both engines are designed to be compatible with stop-start technology, which cuts out the engine in traffic to save fuel. This system is currently limited in small cars to premium offerings, such as the Mini Cooper or the Volvo C30. However, Toyota and Daihatsu could be utilising this feature in the most basic entry level cars.Both engines will commence production in coming weeks, but we may only get the larger 1.3-litre engine in Australia initially. However the efficiency gains in the 1.0-litre engine could increase the incentive for Toyota to offer a cheap entry level car sourced from Daihatsu, to rival the Suzuki Alto, Nissan Micra and Mitsubishi Mirage. 

New-car prices will hit new lows between now and the end of the month as Japanese brands push to reach their sales targets before the end of the Japanese financial year, which is March 31.March is typically the second-biggest month of the year for new-car sales behind June, the end of the Australian financial year. The good news for car buyers is that the heavy discounting from the Japanese companies also brings down prices across the industry as rivals try to compete.The profit margins on some cars are so slim that dealers claim they only make money on window tinting -- and finance if arranged through the dealership. Last year, the Toyota Corolla and Nissan Pulsar had their prices wound back by 20 years to $19,990, and others followed.The Japanese Government has for the past 12 months artificially devalued the Yen to boost exports and keep their car factories running at full capacity. Car companies and dealers refused to comment on-the-record about the "D-word" -- discount -- but a search across the industry found some sharp deals on popular cars.The cheapest models from Japanese brands are the Suzuki Alto ($11,990 drive-away) and the Mitsubishi Mirage ($12,990 drive-away), both about $3000 off their full recommended retail prices. Despite their bargain prices both five-door hatchbacks come with the latest safety features, including six airbags and stability control.Meanwhile Suzuki has the cheapest small car below $20,000 with a built-in navigation system: the special edition Swift Navigator is $16,990 drive-away, about $3500 off.Nissan's website says its Pulsar small car is $22,315 drive-away but we found several dealers prepared to sell one for $18,990 drive-away, more than $3000 off. "We'll sell you a car but there's nothing in it for us," said one Nissan dealer who did not want to be named. "That's a white car with manual transmission and standard-issue number plates." Automatic transmission typically adds $2000, metallic paint adds up to $550 on some brands and, in NSW, premium number plates cost about $60 more than standard-issue plates.The only people not celebrating the sharp new-car prices are the dealers. "It's not uncommon to not make a dollar on the car," said a Mitsubishi dealer. "We hope to make it back on accessories, finance or when the customer comes back to get the car serviced."Car dealers typically get a commission of about $1200 on the finance on a $20,000 car -- if the finance is arranged through the dealership. "That's more than the profit on the car," said another dealer. Buyers might also get lucky if the dealer is a few cars short of their monthly sales target."Sometimes you'll rip up a car (sell it below cost) in the last one or two days of the month, just to get over the line," said one multi-franchise dealer principal with more than 20 years' experience in the trade. "That sale could mean the difference between getting a big bonus from the factory, or nothing."The biggest discounts are on the dearest cars. The Nissan 370Z sports-car is now $59,990 drive-away, it was $72,000 plus on-road costs the same time last year, a saving of about $15,000. The Nissan Leaf electric car is now $39,990 drive-away, compared to $51,500 plus on-road costs when it was launched two years ago, a saving of about $14,000 off the full RRP. The Mitsubishi Pajero GLX-R 4WD wagon is now $54,990 drive-away -- it is normally $60,000 drive-away -- but dealers we spoke to said there was at least a further "$1000 to $2000 wriggle room" left in this deal.For those looking for a family sedan the locally-made Toyota Camry can be bought at a discounted price of $29,990 drive-away with Toyota's 1 per cent finance, about $3000 off the full RRP -- and more than $3000 off the repayments at market interest rates. This deal is unique because, customarily, low interest rate offers apply only to the full RRP of the car, which is how the car companies fund the deal.In most cases it is cheaper to arrange your own finance and haggle hard on the price of the car. But Toyota has bucked this trend by offering a low interest rate as well as a drive-away price on the Camry to keep the struggling Toyota factory at Altona running.Meanwhile the Mazda CX-9 Luxury SUV normally sells for $52,980 plus on-roads, but it is now $51,990 drive-away, a saving of about $5000 off the full RRP. But as with the Mitsubishi Pajero deal, Mazda dealers say there is still a further $1000 to $2000 to negotiate off the luxury version of the Mazda CX-9 if buyers sign on the dotted line by the end of the month.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling 

Think your 4WD can already go anywhere? It could easily get a whole lot tougher with these 'lock'n'loaded' tank tracks that will take your ute or suv to a higher level.Designed by US-based engineering firm AD Boivin, the Track N Go system is a quick-fit system that has you simply drive up onto the treads, lock them in place, remove the loading ramps -- and off you go to conquer new rugged territory.The treads are powered by your vehicle's tyres, making the whole operation simple. And while it's not the first tank tread kit we've seen, it's the first on the market to not require a complicated mechanical conversion to get going. However, they're not cheap, priced at more than $25,000 and heavy enough to set you back quite a bit on freight as well.And although we think they'd look the biz on the little Mitsubishi Mirage city hatch currently in the Carsguide test garage, sadly the Track N Go can only be used on V8 and V6 vehicles with a full 4WD two-stage (low and high) transfer case, leaf spring suspension and diff lock on the rear axle. So that means the test Holden Barina is out of the running as well.Watch the turn your car into a tank video on our desktop site.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The Mitsubishi Mirage has claimed the 2013 crown for the lowest running costs of any new car on the Australian market

The Mitsubishi Attrage – the name is a blend of attractive and Mirage – will be built in Thailand as a global light sedan, and could arrive here late this year or early next year.Mitsubishi Australia has not confirmed its arrival, but says it would slot in here with the Mirage. “It’s a compact sedan and will have its own little space in the market; it will sit just above the Mirage or within the mirage range,” Mitsubishi Australia spokeswoman Caitlin Beale says.  “It will be offered on a global scale, so will be sent to any countries that decide to pick it up.”“Whether it will keep the Attrage name in Australia is yet to be been confirmed. However, it’s likely since it’s part of a global line.”The Attrage adds a light sedan to the Mitsubishi range in Australia, which currently offers only the Lancer with a boot. The Attrage gets the Mirage’s 1.2-litre 3-cylinder MIVEC engine mated to a five-speed manual or CVT gearbox and a fuel efficiency of 4.6L/100km.Beale says there’s no indication of price yet, but that the sedan would compete against the booted versions of the Toyota Yaris and Holden Barina. With those main rivals starting well under $20,000 – the Yaris from $18,190 and Barina from $16,490 – Mitsubishi will need to be strategic on the pricing, so it’s likely to be not too far north of the Mirage hatch’s $12,990 entry price.Beale says there are no confirmed local arrival dates as yet. However, don’t be surprised to see it roll into Australian dealerships either late this year or early next year.The Attrage follows the fashion of adding a small sedan into ranges near a hatch: Nissan did it with its Micra hatch and Almera sedan and Honda with its Jazz hatch and City sedan.