Mitsubishi Mirage

Facelift

In February 1982, Mitsubishi facelifted the Mirage range. Distinguished by the installation of flusher fitting headlamps that extended into the fender panels, stylists also designed a new grille insert. The tail lights were larger, new firmer engine and transmission mounts were fitted, and a new, lighter and more rigid transmission case was developed.^[9] The dashboard was also updated, with rotating "satellite" buttons mounted within fingertip reach for light and wiper functions.^[10] Another new version for the Japanese market was the 1600SX, a well-equipped five-door automatic fitted with the 1600GT's 88-PS engine.^[11]

• 
  Colt hatchback (facelift)
• 
  Colt hatchback (facelift)
• 
  Colt sedan (facelift)
• 
  Interior

At the same time as this facelift, Mitsubishi introduced a four-door sedan variant to Japan under the names Mirage Saloon and Lancer Fiore, which is not to be confused with the unrelated regular Lancer.^[5] The Fiore was often abbreviated to Lancer or Lancer F in international markets, eschewing the "Fiore" suffix.^[12] The sedan's backseat folded in a 60/40 split, just as for the hatchback.^[13] With Mirage hatchback and sedan sales in Japan restricted to the Car Plaza dealerships, the Fiore was intended to duplicate the Mirage's success at the Galant Shop — Mitsubishi's second retail sales channel. Lancer Fiore received the same 1.2- and 1.4-liter engines, and as a Mirage-derived model line, was substantially smaller than the strict Lancer. Apart from the wider axle track dictated by the switch to front-wheel drive, the original 1973-era Lancer offered a similar dimensional footprint.^[5] Unique to the four-door saloons was Mitsubishi's new "Modulated Displacement" (MD) engine, a short-lived technology which allowed the engine to run on only two cylinders while under light loads so as to save on petrol. The valves to cylinders 1 and 4 were disabled by means of hydraulic activators at low speeds and low loads.^[14]

A more sporting turbocharged 105 PS (77 kW) version of the 1.4-liter engine was made available in Japan from the time of the facelift as the 1400 GT Turbo, originally only in the three-door hatchback.^[15] To handle the additional power, the suspension was made firmer, the brake servo was upgraded, and the driveshaft was changed to an equal-length design featuring a central bearing.^[16] The small turbocharger, of Mitsubishi's own manufacture, unusually sat between the intake and the twin-barrel carburetor. The engine was equipped with a knock sensor, enabling it to run on petrols of various octane ratings. The compression ratio was also unusual, fairly high for its time at 8.7 to 1.^[17] The Turbo also used the twin-range Super Shift transmission. In Japan, the Turbo was also available with the five-door hatchback bodywork, a version that was rarely exported (if at all).^[11] Japanese buyers could also opt for the new turbocharged Lancer Fiore/Mirage Saloon 1400GT; all three of these turbo versions arrived in August 1982.^[18] Mitsubishi distinguished the 1400GT with a hood mounted air intake, unique interior, uprated suspension and brakes, and the equalization of the drive shaft lengths to reduce torque steering.

In October 1982, the 1200EX Special (hatchbacks) and 1200EL Special (saloons) were launched in Japan; these were well equipped low-cost versions with heated rear windshields and other extras.^[19] The 1400MD Super and Marie limited editions were launched in December 1982.^[20] Japanese manufacture of all body variants ended in October 1983.

North America

Chrysler imported this generation of Mirage to the North America as the Dodge Colt and Plymouth Champ from late-1978 for the 1979 model year,^[3] in three-door form only until the 1982 model year when the five-door was added.^[21] Then from the 1983 model year, Plymouth retired the Champ and adopted the name Colt as well. 0-60 time was over 12 seconds, and the top speed was 90 MPH.^[22] The Mirage Turbo was sold as the Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo, only as a two-door hatchback and fitted with a fuel-injected 1.6-litre 4G32T engine which reappeared in the next-generation Colt.

Australia and New Zealand

The facelifted model was also manufactured as the Colt by Mitsubishi Motors Australia^[7] at their Clovelly Park, South Australia plant from 1982^[23] to late 1989, with sufficient inventory stockpiled not exhausting until 1990.^[24] Initially offered with the 1.4- and 1.6-liter engines in five-door hatchback form, the sedan was produced from 1984.

Australian Colts were given model codes RA (from November 1980), RB (October 1982), RC (April 1984), RD (October 1986),^[25] and RE (September 1988). The RE update was distinguished by revised wheel covers, body side projection mouldings, and grille, plus the addition of body colour bumpers.^[26] The SE model was dropped, with the range opening up with the fleet-focused XL hatchback with the 1.4-litre engine and a four-speed manual gearbox, stepping up to the 1.6-litre, GLX hatchback and sedan with five-speed manual or optional three-speed automatic.^[26]

This model was also briefly exported to New Zealand in the late 1980s, where it shared showroom space with the locally assembled third generation models. Previously, local complete knock down (CKD) assembly of the Colt took place in Petone, Wellington under contract through Todd Motor Corporation (the NZ, Mitsubishi assembly franchise holders), including a variant called the Mirage Panther. The four-door saloon version (known elsewhere as Lancer Fiore) was sold as the "Mirage Geneva" in New Zealand.

Europe

Many export markets, such as Europe and Australia received the Mirage under the Mitsubishi Colt name. In the United Kingdom, where Colt was the marque itself, it was called the Colt 1200 and Colt 1400, after the engine displacements. Sometimes it was called the Colt Hatchback 1200/1400 to help distinguish it from the rest of the Colt Car range. In most of Europe, it was sold as the Mitsubishi Colt. The Lancer Fiore (sometimes called Lancer F) arrived in early 1983, which is also when the facelift appeared in Europe.^[9] European market models usually have the 1200 or the 1400 engine with a single, twin-choke, downdraught carburettor, with 55 or 70 PS (40 or 51 kW; 54 or 69 bhp) on tap. Max power was reached at 5000 rather than 5500 rpm for the Japanese market models, and they were fitted with somewhat gentler cams for a less peaky power delivery.^[27] Some European markets also received the 105 PS (77 kW) Turbo model, which arrived in late 1982. After the introduction of the second generation Mirage/Colt, the original model remained available in Belgium (at least) as the "Mitsubishi Magnum", only offered as a three-door with the smallest engine and bare-bones equipment.

Export

Europe

The Mirage was available in Europe as the Colt in 1200 L, EL, and GL trims (mostly three-door models only, but a five-door GL was sold in some markets^[34]), as the 1300 GL three- and five-door, 1500 GLX three- and five-door, and as the 1800 L/EL/GL (diesel) three- or five-door. The Lancer sedan was available in the same trim levels as the hatchback model (including the 1200 engine), while the wagon versions were available as 1500 GLX and 1800 GL diesel only. The three-door Colt Turbo was also sold in Europe, with the 125 PS (92 kW) 1.6-liter ECI engine.^[35] The Colt Turbo fared badly in competition with its European GTi-class competitors, with period testers criticizing Mitsubishi for not doing much more than adding a turbocharger, spoilers, and fat tires. It was not a thorough engineering job and the car was not able to fully handle the ample power made available.^[36]

Some markets also received the 4WD Wagon with the larger 1.8-liter engine, although the diesel-powered 4WD remained available to Japanese customers only. Versions equipped with catalytic converters first became available in Europe in 1985, at the same time as the wagon was introduced.^[30] The two-seater commercial type was sold in the Netherlands simply as the "Mitsubishi Wagon", whereas the better equipped passenger version was called the Lancer Station Wagon.^[31]

• 
  Mitsubishi Colt 3-door hatchback (facelift)

North America

The Mirage was not sold in the United States by Mitsubishi until the 1985 model year. As the usual export name Colt was already used by Dodge and Plymouth, while Lancer was in use by Dodge on an unrelated car, Mitsubishi stuck to Mirage for their own version of the car.^[37] Mitsubishi made a 25-year licensing deal to use the "Mirage" name with Grand Touring Cars, Inc. of Scottsdale, Arizona for use in the United States, as that company already owned the rights to the name for the Mirage race car series. While Dodge/Plymouth Colt-branded models were available with four-door sedan bodywork as well as a short-lived five-door hatchback - from model year 1988 also a station wagon - Mitsubishi originally marketed the Mirage only as a three-door hatch through its own American dealers, despite the five-door model having repeatedly been rejected by Chrysler's marketing organization in favor of the Dodge Omni.

The 1985 Mirage's equipment levels were Base, L, LS, and Turbo, with prices set a few hundred dollars beneath those of its Dodge/Plymouth equivalents.^[38] The well-equipped LS model was dropped after the first model year, and in 1987 a four-door sedan was added to the lineup. For 1988, only the Turbo Sport hatchback and naturally aspirated standard 4-door sedan remained in price listings, as the new Mitsubishi Precis supplanted the basic hatchback Mirage. As with the Colts sold by Chrysler, the turbo gained a few horsepower for a total of 105 hp (78 kW).^[39]

New Zealand

A commercial version of the wagon was sold in New Zealand as the Mitsubishi Express, replacing an earlier model based on the Galant Sigma. The second generation Mirage range was also assembled in New Zealand, but was never sold in Australia, where the original version was kept in production until the third generation replaced it in 1988.

Southeast Asia

Mitsubishi in Thailand released the three-door hatchback and four-door sedan models with 1.3- and 1.5-liter engine as the Mitsubishi Champ in 1983. Later the series was renamed Mitsubishi Champ II and Champ III, with the hatchback and 1.5-liter versions discontinued. This was also exported to Canada from January 1988 until the end of Champ production in 1994.^[40]

In Indonesia, both the sedan and the 5-door hatchback were sold under the Lancer FF nameplate. Available in two trim levels, SL with a 1.4-liter engine and GLX with a 1.6-liter engine.

The four-door sedan formed the basis of the Proton Saga, Malaysia's first locally built car and manufactured between 1985 and 2008. Proton would later spin the Saga off into its own five-door hatchback called the Saga Aeroback in 1987 (longer, and styled differently from Mitsubishi's own five-door hatchback version).

• 
  Mitsubishi Champ sedan (second facelift)

Facelifts

The third generation received a minor facelift in September 1989, with late models receiving the same modernized engines as were seen in the subsequent generation.^[42] In its most potent turbocharged variant, the new 4G61 engine produced 160 PS (118 kW) at 6000 rpm.^[43] The second facelift, which occurred in October 1990, featured new sets of taillights with clear turn signals. The final facelift was released in 1992, exclusively for the liftback, with a front end that resembles the next generation sedan.

• 
  Mirage hatchback (Japan, facelift)
• 
  5-door liftback (Australia; facelift)
• 
  5-door (4G93) 1.8 GTi-16V liftback (Europe; facelift)
• 
  Mirage sedan (USA, facelift)
• 
  Sedan (Indonesia; facelift)
• 
  Interior (facelift, sedan/liftback only)

Markets

European versions were available as the 1300 EL/GL, 1500 GL/GLi/GLX/GLXi, 1600 and 1800 GTi-16V, 1800 GLXi 4x4, and 1800 GL/GLX diesels. The three-door hatchback was labelled Colt while the sedan and liftback were called Lancer. Mitsubishi retailed a Colt "van" in select European markets, being the three-door body without rear side windows and therefore attracting reduced taxation in these jurisdictions. German buyers were also offered a lower-powered version of the catalyzed 1.3-liter engine, producing 60 PS (44 kW) at 5,500 rpm, to qualify for lower insurance premiums. In March 1990, the 124 PS (91 kW), catalyzed 1600 GTi-16V was replaced by a 1.8-liter version with 136 PS (100 kW). A few months later, this version also became available with a non-catalyzed engine for those European markets that still eschewed emissions controls. The 8-valve, 1.3-litre engine was replaced by a somewhat more powerful, 12-valve version in June 1990; it was still carbureted, however. The next generation Lancer did not include a five-door hatchback; since this was a popular body style in Europe Mitsubishi kept offering this model until mid-1994. Beginning in June 1992, the higher line models were fitted with the new 1.6 and 1.8-litre engines from the 4G9 engine family; a fuel injected 75 PS (55 kW) version of the 12-valve 1.3-liter replaced the carbureted model used hitherto. The diesel engine was also replaced by a bigger 2.0-liter unit; although rare, it was only available in selected countries in mainland Europe.

Since first generation Mirages were still under Australian production as the Colt, all three third generation body types were imported from Japan and sold under the Lancer name in that market. Initially, the Australian-specification models were designated as the CA series when introduced in 1988, adopting the CB designation for the 1990 facelift. The liftback continued to be sold in Australia alongside the fourth generation CC Mirage-derived Lancer from 1992 through to 1996. Confusingly, the carry-over liftback was also given this CC model designation.^[44][45]

North American three-door and sedan sales occurred under the Mitsubishi Mirage name for the 1989 to 1992 model years. Badge engineered variants were also sold in the US as the Dodge/Plymouth Colt (three-door only), and Eagle Summit. In Canada, a Dodge/Plymouth sedan was also offered as the Mitsubishi brand did not operate in the market until the 2003 model year. For the Mitsubishi-badged versions, the top hatchback carried a 1.6-liter 4G61T turbocharged inline-four engine rated at 135 hp (101 kW).^[46] This was also available with Dodge Colt badging; the Colt also received power windows. Only about 900 Mirage Turbos were sold for the one model year they were available, and even fewer Dodge Colt Turbos.^[46] For the 1991 model year, the 1.5-liter 4G15 engine's new twelve valve heads (three valves per cylinder) boosted power from 81 to 92 hp (60 to 69 kW), and a new GS sedan offered the 1.6-liter 4G61 with 123 hp (92 kW) and a standard four-speed automatic transmission.

For the rest of the world, this generation was commonly sold as a Lancer sedan, although the Colt hatchback and Lancer liftback were also available in selected regions. The specifications for this market were almost similar to those of the European market, although it lacked an all-wheel-drive option and most regions did not receive fuel-injected engines below the high performance DOHC 16V-GTi models. For the Middle Eastern market hatchback and sedan models, the car featured the long bumpers from the US market Mirage.^[47] The Mirage sedan with long bumpers was also sold in Taiwan, imported from the US by the local Mitsubishi distributor. This was due to an import ban on fully built vehicles from Japan to Taiwan at the time, to avoid a higher trade deficit with Japan.^[48]

Specifications

* KM series (1987–1989), F/W series (1989–1995)

Hatchback / Coupé

• 
  Lancer coupé
• 
  Lancer coupé
• 
  Colt hatchback

Station wagon

• 
  Lancer station wagon
• 
  Rear view
• 
  Libero GT (Japan)

Sedan

• 
  Lancer sedan (4-windowed)
• 
  Mirage sedan (6-windowed)
• 
  Lancer sedan (4-windowed)

Interior

• 
  Libero GT
• 
  Mirage Cyborg/Lancer GSR

Mitsubishi's powertrain choices were vast with this new platform. Front-wheel drive was most common, with all-wheel drive available for some models. Engines ranged from 1.3- to 1.8-liter gasoline inline-fours, plus 1.8 and 2.0-liter diesels. Notably, a gasoline V6 engine variant displacing just 1.6-liters was also offered, making it the smallest ever mass-produced V6.

Many performance models were offered in this generation. The entry-level model, called the Mirage R (and the early RS), was powered by a 1.6-liter DOHC inline-four engine that produced 145 PS (143 hp; 107 kW), while the MIVEC version of the same engine produced a higher output at 175 PS (173 hp; 129 kW) and was called the Mirage Cyborg/RS and Lancer MR in Japan. The 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 195–205 PS (192–202 hp; 143–151 kW), and an all-wheel-drive system was also offered for the Lancer GSR/RS. In November 1992, a Group A rally homologation model based on the GSR/RS was introduced as the Lancer GSR Evolution, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4G63T engine from the successful Galant VR-4. In January 1994, the high-performance range was expanded with the arrival of the Libero GT. It was essentially the station wagon version of the Lancer GSR, but delivered a higher output of 215 PS (212 hp; 158 kW) and featured a Lancer GSR Evolution front bumper.

In March 1993, an electric vehicle version of the wagon was released to Japan named the "Libero EV" and powered by a lead-acid battery. The wagon was created in collaboration with Tokyo Electric Power Company and sold 36 units to government agencies and major corporations. It achieved a driving range of 165 km (103 mi) on a single charge while driving at a constant speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). The manufacturer's suggested retail price was ¥11,230,000 (roughly around $100,000 in 1993), four times more than the then-newly introduced Lancer GSR Evolution.^[52][53] The Libero EV was later improved with a new nickel-cadmium battery, which extended the driving range up to 250 km (155 mi).^[54]

Export markets

Australia

Australian market versions of this generation were released in late 1992 and were officially referred to as the CC series Lancer.^[55] Buyers had the choice of the Lancer coupé (available in GL and GLXi equipment levels), sedan (GL, Executive, and GSR), and wagon (Executive). Five-speed manual transmission came fitted as standard, with all variants except the GSR available with automatic—three gears for the base coupé and sedan—and a four-speed unit for the remainder of the lineup. The GL coupé and sedan featured the 1.5-liter carbureted motor, with the 1.8-liter fuel-injected engine reserved for the rest of the series. All engines except in the GSR are SOHC design; the GSR featured DOHC, plus a turbocharger and intercooler.^[55][56]

North America

This model launched in the United States for the 1993 model year as the Mirage sedan (based on Lancer) and coupé with all variants now sourced from Japan. Like before, the North American specification featured longer bumpers, and has drag coefficient of Cd=0.29 (coupe) and Cd=0.31 (sedan), respectively.^[57] The bumpers were also standard for the Japanese market kyōshūsha (driving school vehicle), which later adopted for the facelifted Lancer sedan in Taiwan and Thailand,.^[58][59][60]

The same body shapes were also sold as the Dodge and Plymouth Colt in both the United States and Canada. The six-window greenhouse sedan was sold in these countries as the Eagle Summit alongside the coupé and Lancer-based sedan. For the Mitsubishi branded versions sold only in the United States, the coupé and four-window sedan were offered in base, S, ES and LS trim levels. Five-speed manual transmission was standard, although an automatic was optional on all Mirages except the S coupé. Mitsubishi kept the preceding generation's base 1.5-liter 4G15 engine with 92 hp (69 kW), but fitted the ES and LS sedans with the new 1.8-liter 4G93 engine rated at 113 hp (84 kW). For the 1994 model year, Mitsubishi introduced a driver's airbag, the LS sedan lost its optional anti-lock brakes, and the LS coupé gained the 1.8-liter engine previously exclusive to sedans. The 1994 model year was the last year of retail sales for Mirage sedans (which became limited to fleets) and for the Dodge and Plymouth Colts altogether (replaced by Chrysler's new, American-designed Neon), although the Eagle Summit sedan and coupé remained on sale alongside the Mirage coupé through to 1996. As a consequence, only S and LS Mirage coupés returned for model year 1995, and both benefitted from a new passenger's side airbag and covered center console (and therefore the deletion of the motorized front seatbelts). The 1995 Mirage LS coupé gained uprated 14-inch wheels, but deleted access to power windows, power door locks, and cruise control.

• 
  US-market Mirage sedan
• 
  Rear view of Taiwanese-market Lancer
• 
  US-market Mirage coupé
• 
  Rear view of US-market Mirage coupé

Europe

European buyers received the hatchback as a Colt, while the sedan and station wagon were sold with Lancer badging. The coupé was not sold in Europe. The sportiest version was powered by a 1.8-liter, DOHC engine rated at 140 PS (138 hp; 103 kW); it was badged "Colt GTi". The smallest engine was the 1.3-liter, 12-valve four, producing 75 PS (55 kW) in fuel injected form.^[61] Like the previous generation, the all-wheel-drive model was also available with a 1.6-liter engine. A 2.0-liter naturally aspirated diesel engine was also offered exclusively for the sedan and wagon.

Proton versions

Mitsubishi granted Proton in Malaysia a license to the fourth generation design from 1993 — it remained in produced in a distant form until 2010. The first variant produced, the sedan was badged Wira (1993–2007) and was complemented by a Proton-designed five-door Wira Aeroback liftback (1993–2004). Malaysian manufacture of other variants commenced later, with the three-door Satria (1994–2005) and Putra coupé (1996–2000; and 2004–2005). Proton then developed a coupé utility variant which came to fruition in 2002 as the Arena, lasting until 2010.

Hatchback/coupé

• 
  Colt hatchback (pre-facelift)
• 
  Rear view of Colt hatchback (pre-facelift)
• 
  Mirage hatchback (facelift)
• 
  Rear view of Mirage hatchback (facelift)
• 
  Mirage Modrac
• 
  Rear view of Lancer coupé (facelift)

Sedan

• 
  Rear view of Mirage sedan (pre-facelift)
• 
  Lancer sedan (pre-facelift)
• 
  Rear view of Lancer sedan (pre-facelift)
• 
  Lancer sedan (facelift)
• 
  Mirage sedan (facelift)

Australia

This generation was sold in Australia between 1996 and 2003, designated the CE series. Like the previous generation, this model was available as a coupé and sedan (badged Lancer), and as the three-door titled Mirage. The Lancer wagon lingered on as a CE model, despite being a facelifted remnant of the previous generation. Towards the end of its model run, Mitsubishi introduced several limited editions (based on the GLi) to remain competitive with its rivals. These extras such as sports interiors, alloy wheels, and body kits. Despite the introduction of the new generation Lancer sedan to Australia in 2002, the CE continued alongside it until production ended in 2003, including the sedan which remained as the basic GLi. The coupé was now only available in GLi and MR trims.

United States

In the United States, the fifth generation Mirage arrived for the 1997 model year and was again available in sedan and coupé versions. The SOHC 1.5- and 1.8-liter engines from the previous iteration returned in DE and LS trims, respectively. The 1998 model year brought a stronger starter and battery; 1999 introduced a minor facelift, plainer seat fabric; and for the LS coupé, white-faced gauges and a tachometer with either transmission (it was formerly exclusive to the manual). For 2000, Mitsubishi added further standard equipment, plus the standardization of the 1.8-liter engine for the DE sedan; anti-lock brakes were deleted from the options list. Mitsubishi renamed the DE sedan as ES for model year 2001. Mirage sedans were replaced with the next generation Lancer for 2002, although the coupé lingered on for 2002 in North America. The production of the model year 1999 Mirage sedans was greatly lowered due to the large demand for the Eclipse; there were only 4,783 Mirage DE (Deluxe Edition) units produced and 3,829 Mirage sedans exported for that model year. In Puerto Rico, the 1.8-liter Mirage was sold as the Mirage Technica for both coupé and sedan variants.^[67]

US-market Mirage sedan and coupé

Europe

As before, the European market Mirage hatchback of this generation was sold as the Colt between 1996 and 2001, powered by either 1.3- or 1.6-liter engines. On the other hand, the Lancer sedan was marketed in limited markets (such as in Germany, Ireland, Greece and the Netherlands) and only fitted with a 1.3-liter engine, positioned below the mid-size Carisma.^[68] In 1999, the limited edition of Colt hatchback gained a chrome-trimmed grille insert from the Japanese-market Mirage Modrac.^[69]

Venezuela

Venezuela received this series in 1998 as a Lancer where it remained until 2001. After this, the next generation Lancer entered the market and local production of the old sedan recommenced between 2003 and 2010 under the Mitsubishi Signo name. Variants of the Signo comprise the base 1.3-liter GLi, and the 1.6-liter "Plus" and "Taxi" trims.

Taiwan

It entered the Taiwanese market in November 1996, produced locally by China Motor Corporation (CMC), and was based on the US-market model like the previous generation. The sedan was split into two models: the basic Lancer with a 1.6-liter engine, and an upmarket model with a 1.8-liter DOHC engine called the Lancer Virage.^[58] In 1998, the sedan received a facelift with a more luxurious appearance – this version was also adopted for the facelifted model in select Asian countries, while the Lancer Virage was rebranded simply as the Mitsubishi Virage.^[70] A sporty model called the Virage iO was introduced shortly after; it featured a new grille from the international market Lancer, smoked headlights and black leather interior. The production of this Lancer/Virage lasted until December 2000.^[58]

• 
  Taiwanese-market Lancer (facelift)

China

This generation Lancer entered the Chinese market first as the Soueast Lioncel in March 2003 and was produced by Soueast Motors – a joint venture between Taiwan's CMC and China's Fujian Motor Industry Group.^[71] The first model was based on the 1998 Virage but featured different taillights and later facelifted in 2004 based on the sportier Virage iO. The Lioncel was sold in China up to 2005, but extended up to 2008 with another facelift for export markets.^[72] Unlike in Taiwan, the only engine offered in China was a 1.6-liter unit, although the engine (4G18) was adopted from the next generation Lancer.^[73]

• 
  Soueast Lioncel (first facelift)
• 
  Rear view of Soueast Lioncel (pre-facelift)
• 
  Export market Soueast Lioncel (second facelift)

In 2006, Mitsubishi invested directly in Soueast and began selling the Lioncel as the Lancer in China.^[71] The Lancer continued to be produced by the manufacturer with slightly different exterior styling based on the second facelift export only Lioncel and 2003 facelift next generation Lancer. The engine, 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, and trims levels were also retrained.^[74] The Lancer received its facelift in 2012, and based on the 2005 facelift next generation Lancer. The Lancer was discontinued in 2015, and briefly sold alongside the Lancer Fortis and EX as an cheaper alternative.

• 
  Chinese-market Lancer (pre-facelift)
• 
  Chinese-market Lancer Sport (pre-facelift)
• 
  Chinese-market Lancer (facelift)
• 
  Rear view of Chinese-market Lancer

Another variant called the Soueast V3 Lingyue is a facelifted version of the Lancer and successor to the Lioncel and was produced by Soueast from 2008 to 2019.^[75] To keep it competitive in the market, it was facelifted multiple times in 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014.^[76][77] The V3 Lingyue initially used the 1.5-litre 4G15 DOHC MIVEC engine for the 2008 model year only.^[78] For 2009 models onwards, it was replaced by the 1.5-litre 4A91 engine.^[79] The V3 Lingyue comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard and a CVT option was available from 2010 to 2014. The CVT was replaced by a 6-speed AMT in 2015, but later removed in 2017.^[76]

• 
  Soueast V3 Lingyue (pre-facelift)
• 
  Soueast V3 Lingyue (pre-facelift)
• 
  Soueast V3 Lingyue (first facelift)
• 
  Soueast V3 Lingyue (first facelift)
• 
  Soueast V3 Lingyue (second facelift)
• 
  Soueast V3 Lingyue (third facelift)
• 
  Soueast V3 Lingyue (fourth facelift)
• 
  Soueast V3 Lingyue (fourth facelift)

Philippines

In the Philippines, MMPC introduced it in 1996 as the Lancer sedan. Initially it was offered in three grades; EL, GL, and the top-spec GLXi which are locally assembled at MMPC's Cainta assembly plant. The EL & GL grades are powered by either a 1.3- or 1.5-liter carburated engine, while the GLXi is powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four engine all paired to a standard 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission (GL & GLXi only).

In 1997, MMPC added the Limited Saloon & GSR coupé variants to the lineup. Both grades are still powered by the 1.6-liter inline-four engine with a choice of a standard 5-speed manual or INVECS 4-speed automatic transmission. The "Limited Saloon" featured redesigned grille, leather upholstery, JBL speakers, taillight garnish, power adjustable seats (driver side only), keyless entry among other features.

In 1998, the Lancer GSR coupé received a facelift. It featured strut bar, leather steering wheel and seats, dual airbags, and ABS. The Lancer GSR is powered by the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine found on the GLXi & Limited Saloon grades. It is paired to a INVECS 4-speed automatic transmission.

In 1999, Mitsubishi added another trim the "MX" to compete with Nissan's "Sentra Exalta" & Toyota's "Corolla SE-G". The MX trim is powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four engine coupled to a 4-speed automatic transmission with manu-matic shift mode, respectively. It featured leather seats, automatic climate control and wood paneling.

By mid-2000, Mitsubishi axed the EL and GL model trims in favor of the Lancer GLS and GLX trims which featured redesigned appearance from the Taiwanese-market Lancer and cloth seats, it was launched in 2001.^[80]

India

This series also entered Indian production in June 1998 as the Lancer, assembled by Hindustan Motors.^[81] Available model variants were LX sedans with either the 1.5-liter gasoline engine or 2.0-liter naturally aspirated diesel and a five-speed manual transmission. The gasoline option produces 93 PS (68 kW) while the diesel only offered 68 PS (50 kW).^[82] The first facelift arrived in 2001, which was baswd on the Taiwanese market Lancer.^[83] In 2004, the 1.8-liter 122 PS (90 kW) 1.8-liter gasoline engine was added, only in conjunction with a four-speed automatic transmission, while the power of the 1.5 was downgraded to 87 PS (64 kW). The Lancer was joined by the Lancer Cedia in 2006 with another makeover based on the Japanese market Lancer Exceed and continued to be sold alongside that model until discontinued in 2012.

Markets

First facelift

At the 2015 LA Auto Show, Mitsubishi previewed the Mirage's 2017 facelift. The car received a new front end design, projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, and LED tail lights. The facelift results in a drag coefficient of 0.27c_d. In addition, engine output was increased from 74 to 78 hp (55 to 58 kW; 75 to 79 PS), the suspension was improved through better shock absorbers, revised spring rates, and upgraded brakes (larger discs on front, drums on rear, and different friction material). The interior also saw numerous aesthetic changes from the steering wheel to the HVAC system and a new optional touchscreen infotainment system using Apple's CarPlay interface and a 300W Rockford Fosgate audio setup.^[122] A Rockford Fosgate Edition of the ES trim, fitted with a 300-watt premium stereo, was sometimes available beginning in late 2015. It is typically referred to as the Mirage RF and is fitted with a small Rockford Fosgate sticker.^[123]

• 
  Mirage M (Japan; first facelift)
• 
  Mirage ES (Canada; first facelift)

Second facelift

The second facelift of the Mirage was launched in November 2019, with new front end styling to match the company's new design language and allowed for a collision avoidance system to be added. The interior also received updated styling and all models received new touchscreen audio system with support for Apple CarPlay.^[124]

In June 2021, an off-road look Space Star Cross is launched in Portugal.^[125]

• 
  Mitsubishi Space Star Intense (Europe)
• 
  Mitsubishi Space Star (Europe)

Sedan (A10)

The four-door sedan version of the Mirage, known as Mitsubishi Attrage or Mitsubishi Mirage G4 in some markets, has been manufactured at Mitsubishi's Laem Chabang plant in Thailand since June 2013.^[126] The sedan was first introduced as a concept car at the 2013 Bangkok International Motor Show called the Concept G4 sedan.^{[84][127][128]} The sedan is only offered with the 1.2-liter engine.

Safety

ASEAN NCAP test results for a right-hand-drive, five-door hatchback variant on a 2013 registration:^[165]

More information Test, Points ...

ASEAN NCAP test results
Mitsubishi Mirage (2013)^[166]

Test	Points	Stars
Adult occupant:	13.07
Child occupant:	43%
Safety assist:	NA

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More information Test, Score ...

ANCAP test results
Mitsubishi Mirage (2013)^[167]

Test	Score
Overall
Frontal offset	14.07/16
Side impact	16/16
Pole	2/2
Seat belt reminders	2/3
Whiplash protection	Good
Pedestrian protection	Adequate
Electronic stability control	Standard

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Production

Sales