On stage at the LA Auto Show was the redesigned 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage, bolstering the brand’s fortification of its products for North America with new styling inside and out, new features, and improved performance.
Getting a more upscale and honestly sharper appearance than the current Mitsubishi Mirage, the 2017 model receives and all-new face that adds some design direction where it wasn’t before. A new grille is bolder and more crisp, and far more upscale it its appeal
It’s framed with all-new headlights and fog lights as well as a new hood design which has a bit of a power bulge with some new creases and lines. The rear also gets a new fascia and spoiler design to go along with new wheels across the line.
Mitsubishi also turned its attention to the interior, which needed some upgrades for us finicky North American consumers. These started with upgraded materials all around including a new steering wheel, shift bezel and gauge cluster.
Also added is a more premium option for the infotainment, a 300-watt Rockford-Fosgate display audio system with EcoPunch. It’s got all the expected goodies and one of the first from Mitsubishi to have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.
Overall, while the interior updates are small details, these are things that Mitsubishi has carefully studied in consumer clinics to get the read on what real-world customers are thinking. And this strategy has paid dividends for increased sales in their other models.
As to performance, the 2017 Mirage continues to with its rather smallish 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine, but it gets running changes including an updated variable valve-train which now has a roller cam format.
This raises horsepower to 78 and torque to 74 pound-feet. Standard transmission is a 5-speed manual and optional is a continuously-variable transmission for those wanting a more automatic drive. Fuel economy metrics haven’t been released but should be the same or better than the Mirage’s current 44 mpg highway rating.
Handling and braking will be substantially improved we know, as the 2017 Mirage gets stiffer springs and dampers to firm up its soft suspension. Larger brakes have been fitted too, with increased diameter discs up front and larger drums at the rear.
Being as small as it is, the 2017 Mirage of course comes with all the passive safety features they can pack into it. These include seven air bags which range from various frontal bags to side-impact bags mounted in the chairs and curtains mounted in the roof.
The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage will arrive in the spring of calendar year 2016 with pricing and fuel-efficiency numbers to come closer to that time. By the video footage Mitsubishi has given us, it’s safe to say it will still be coming in some of those bright colors we’ve been seeing.
