Displaying items by tag: mitsubishi

Mitsubishi's Mirage sedan to be called the “Attrage”; Thailand launch in July

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:19:13 +0000

Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

When we got to drive the all-new Mirage for the very first time last year, one of the things that popped in our mind was: “When will the sedan version come out?” Although the question didn't really rank high on our “must-see” list, something told us that a four-door version was coming. And here it is. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation just announced that its next-generation global compact sedan is coming to Thailand in July. But instead of calling it as the Mirage sedan, they've decided to name it the “Attrage” - short for Attractive + Mirage. Clever, maybe. Catchy, not so much.

Sans the futuristic headlights and grill, the Attrage is the final production version of the Concept C4 displayed at the 34th Bangkok International Motor Show earlier this year. It's powered by the same 1.2L MIVEC engine found in its hatchback counterpart, and offered with the same five-speed manual or CVT. And even with the added trunk, Mitsubishi claims that it can still achieve a fuel efficiency of 22 km/L.

Technically, the Mirage is classified as a “Basic Subcompact Car” and the Attrage will almost certainly also be categorized as so. That means, it'll be the only four-door-sedan in its category in the midst of hatchbacks such as the Kia Picanto, Hyundai EON, and Suzuki Alto. We're pretty sure that Mitsubishi will make the most of our this advantage as it will be the only one in its group to offer a trunk.

Apart from its direct competitors, the Attrage also poses a serious threat to Toyota's all-new Vios. Although the Vios is larger both in size and engine capacity, the Attrage's estimated selling price will be much much lower and thus much much more attractive for people with tight budgets.

Mitsubishi's all-new Attrage will be produced at Mitsubishi's factory in Laem Chabang Industrial Estate in Chonburi province, Thailand - the same place where the Mirage is currently built. While Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) has yet to announce a launch date for the Philippines, we're pretty certain that the Attrage will be here before the year ends.

Mitsubishi's Concept G4 hints of an upcoming Mirage four-door sedan

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:42:18 +0000

Words by Jose Carlo R. Sapera | Photos courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors Thailand Co., Ltd.

Most, if not all, hatchbacks, whether subcompact or compact, will always have a sedan counterpart to suit different people's needs in terms of looks and space. And at the 34th Bangkok International Motor Show, Mitsubishi premiered their latest global car called the Concept G4. Whatever they like to call it, we'd like to believe is a preview of an upcoming Mirage four-door sedan.

According to Mitsubishi, the Concept G4 follows a “high-clarity brilliant-cut diamond motif” to shape the front and back end. And they definitely did not disappoint. The sci-fi inspired head lights and tail lights surely do sparkle, and the trapezoidal grill... well... looks like Wonder Woman's breast piece, only blue. But look at it closey and you'll notice that it's pretty much identical to the five-door Mirage hatchback from the hood to the b-pillar. Even the sidemirrors are carried over, except the Concept G4 has built-in turn signals, as well as the lower front grill that has different foglamp housings and a added chin spoiler.

Those big multi-spoke rims, however, may not see the light of production, but at least we know that it can fit pretty aftermarket shoes.

Like the Mirage, the Concept G4 also uses a RISE (Reinfornced Impact Safety Evolution) body. What that means is that Mitsubishi used high-tensile steel on specific areas of the body to reduce the car's weight without sacrificing rigidity.

Other than these two photos we have, Mitsubishi didn't show what the cabin looks like. Perhaps, it will carryover the Mirage’s spacious interior. We just wonder if the production version of the Concept G4 will get the same toys and goodies found in the hatchback.

One thing Mitsubishi did confirm is that the Concept G4 will be powered by a three-cylinder 1.2L MIVEC engine with a CVT. Sound familiar? Of course it should. It's the exact same one currently found in the Mirage. It may not sound preppy, but still proves to be frugal and fun to drive from our experience with the hatchback version.

The Mitsubishi Concept G4, or Mirage sedan as we'd like to call it, is scheduled to hit the assembly line within the year. Since this is a global model, there’s a big chance that we'll see it here in the Philippines.

Mitsubishi Mirage and Mazda BT-50 newly-crowned 2012 - 2013 Car and Truck of the Year Philippines

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:30:28 +0000

After the long search, the 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P) has finally been revealed last April 4, 2013 at the 9th Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) held at the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC). Following the footsteps of last year’s winner, the Hyundai Elantra - of which we see many of on the streets - this year’s champ is none other than the all-new Mitsubishi Mirage GLS MT.

Yes, the Mirage nameplate made quite a comeback in 2012, fully refreshed and entirely renewed. And after seeing a growing number of this subcompact on the streets and raving reviews about how it’s such a bang for the buck, it’s not a wonder why it trumped 80 other contenders in 20 categories. Although they've won multiple categories in previous years, this is Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation's (MMPC) very first time to clinch the coveted Car of the Year Philippines title.

CAGI President Ferman Lao remarks, “The 2012 - 2013 Car of The Year Philippines season was a tough one. It wasn't just in terms of the sheer number of cars that had to be tested, but the continually increasing improvements, value and competitiveness each new model brought to their respective classes.”

But there’s a new twist this year, because, for the very first time, the Car Awards Group, Inc. (CAGI) also recognized the Philippines’ first Truck of the Year. The 2012 - 2013 Truck of the Year Philippines (TOTY-P) goes to none other than the Mazda BT-50 4X4 AT. While this might not be the first time for a Mazda to win a grand award from CAGI (the Mazda 6 won the 2006 COTY-P), this most definitely is Berjaya Auto Philippines, Inc's first of the many more to come in the future after it took over the Japanese brand in January 2013.

Of course, CAGI also recognizes this year’s stars in each category, as well as special awardees.

2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Philippines Category Winners

Basic Subcompact Car	Mitsubishi Mirage GLS MT
Subcompact Car	Hyundai Accent CRDi VGT Hatchback
Compact Car	Ford Focus Titanium Sedan
Midsize Car	Toyota Camry 2.5V
Premium Midsize Car	Volvo S60 D3
Rear Wheel Drive Sportscar	Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T with Brembo Package
Front Wheel Drive Sportscar	MINI Coupe Cooper S
Compact Crossover 2WD	Mazda CX-5
Compact Crossover AWD	Honda CR-V 2.4 EX AWD
Midsize Crossover	Hyundai Santa Fe R2.2 GLS 6AT 2WD
Large Crossover	Ford Explorer 2.0 EcoBoost XLT
Luxury Compact Crossover	Range Rover Evoque
SUV	Mitsubishi Montero Sport 3.0 V6 GLS
Premium SUV	Jeep Grand Cherokee
Compact Van and MPV	Toyota Avanza 1.3E
Van and MPV	Peugeot 5008
Luxury Van and MPV	Honda Odyssey 3.5L V6
Pickup 4x2	Ford Ranger 2.2 MT
Pickup 4x4	Mazda BT-50 4x4 AT

Special Awards

Clark International Speedway Motorsports Award	Hyundai Asia Resources Inc.
Speedlab Tuner's Choice Award	Toyota 86
Bosch Technical Advancement Award	Foton Thunder
AAP Road Safety Award	Ford Focus with Active City Stop
ETON Centris Urban Warrior Award	Subaru XV
Standard Insurance Award	Chevrolet Trailblazer
Caltex with Techron Green Award	Toyota Prius C
RCBC Savings and Auto Loans Best Value for Money Award	Kia Rio 1.2 LX

In case you're wondering what are the other nominees for the 2012 - 2013 Car and Truck of the Year Philippines, you can check the full list, including the complete performance results, by clicking the [link].

The 2012 - 2013 Car Of The Year Philippines awards is presented by the Manila International Auto Show and is supported by the Clark International Speedway, Caltex with Techron, Eton Centris Walk, Standard Insurance, BOSCH, RCBC Savings & Auto Loans, Victoria Court, Dole Juice Drinks, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts & Coffee, MG Madrid & Co., Winner Graphics, Automobile Association Philippines, and SpeedLab.

The Car Awards Group, Inc, an organization composed of motoring journalists from the country's premiere print, broadcast and online publications , and is supported by media partners Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, The Manila Bulletin, The Daily Tribune, BusinessMirror, The Manila Times, Malaya Business Insight, Sunshine Television, AutoReview, StoplightTV, AutoIndustriya.com, Kotse.com, Interaksyon.com, Top Gear Philippines, AQ Magazine, Speed Magazine, Manila Standard Today, Jam 88.3, C! Magazine, Wave 89.1, Gadgets Magazine, Motioncars.com, Motorcycle Magazine, World News, Sprocket.ph, and PowerWheels Magazine.

Mitsubishi promises 300 km EV range with the CA-MiEV Concept

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 23:40:16 +0000

Words by Jade Lu | Photos courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

It didn’t take too long for Mitsubishi to go from “not bad” to “much better.” The i-MiEV (short for Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) was first introduced to the Japanese market in 2009, followed by the rest of the world a year later. And as of December 2012, over 22,000 examples of this EV (although rebadged in other countries) had been sold worldwide.

Two-time Dakar Rally winner Hiroshi Masuoka even took on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb using a muscled-up version of the i-MiEV - the i-MiEV Evolution - in July 2012. It was meant to gather information for Mitsubishi’s R&D team, who hoped to use the data for further developments of future EV’s. Cut to less than a year later, and the fruit of this labor was showcased at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show. This is the Mitsubishi CA-MiEV Concept.

The CA-MiEV Concept is the updated, next generation electric concept from Mitsubishi. It’s not meant to go into production itself, but its technologies are bound to find their way into production models. Its arrow-shaped body and geometric details boast of sleekness and design efficiency, and hint at the major role that aerodynamics will play in Mitsu’s upcoming vehicles. It definitely looks nothing like its rounded predecessor. Paired with a high density 28 kWh Lithium-ion battery, the CA-MiEV can run as far as 300 km on a single charge - almost double than that of the i-MiEV.

Other than the impressive chassis and much improved motor and battery, the CA-MiEV is also packed with security measures. It has automatic e-mailing in case of theft, automatic e-calling in case of emergency, data transfer from smart phone to in-car system, and a host of other such conveniences.

We definitely hope to see Mitsubishi’s electric technologies take off in the market. And at the rate they’re going, it’s no telling how far the Japanese automaker can reach given another year. Mitsubishi’s goal of capturing 20% of the market’s electric vehicles by 2020 is definitely nothing impossible.

The Perfect First Car | 2013 Mitsubishi Mirage 1.2L GLS CVT

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 02:50:52 +0000

Words and photos by Leslie Sy

The all-new Mirage that came in late 2012 is Mitsubishi's first small car in the country in over a decade. Right away, it was no secret that this subcompact would be a game changer for the local car industry considering its low price combined with its trusted Japanese heritage. But as we know, a good car is more than just a brand and a price tag.

Obviously, potential buyers will be comparing the Mirage to other similar models originating from Japan, Korea, and maybe even China and the United States. So how does it match? I was given the keys to a top-of-the-line Mirage 1.2L GLS CVT to find out for myself.

Hello Handsome
At first glance, the Mirage's external styling is a touch on the “cute” side with a hint “sporty.” The wedge-like front profile and rear spoiler contributes to the car's aggressive lines, while he rising belt-line gives it an illusion of movement. Other touches like the 15-inch alloy wheels and integrated fog lights try their best to give this car a more upscale feel, but there is no denying the fact that this is an entry level car.

Under the Mirage's short sloping hood resides the three-cylinder 1.2L DOHC MIVEC engine rated at 78 horsepower and 100 Nm of torque that's matched to a silky smooth continuously variable transmission (CVT). Usually, 78 hp might not sound like a lot; but because the Mirage GLS only weights 850 kg, the power suffice even if I need to drive up steep parking ramps or inclined roads. And for those who want to get the most out of every liter of fuel, Mitsubishi claims it can do as much 21 km/L of gasoline. My efforts to get the best fuel economy only got me around 14 km/L but there was still some room for improvement as I was mostly driving in moderate traffic that required me to slow down or stop more often than I wanted.

Smooth Operator
So what does it feel to drive the Mitsubishi Mirage? Surprisingly, this little car felt quick and light. Steering is as precise and direct as a go kart. The suspension is a bit on the soft side when driven slow, but is just right at speeds of 60 km/h and faster.

To give it a real workout, I took the Mirage for a drive through some winding mountain roads in Tanay, Rizal. Taking corners at speed, this hatchback felt quite confident and firmly planted to the road. Though I could use a bit more power, one could only ask for so much from a tiny engine. On the contrary, the CVT does its best to make the most out of the engine's output, while maximizing fuel economy as it keeps the engine ticking slightly over idle when cruising at 80 km/h.

The Big Boy
As small cars go, the Mirage is a 'big' small car. Compared to its closest rivals, the Hyundai EON and Suzuki Celerio, it's longer and wider. This gives the Mirage more leg and elbow room inside, which is always a big plus for those trying to find an affordable car that doesn't have sardine-can seating accommodations. Passengers seated at the back don't end up with their knees jammed behind the driver's kidneys. In fact, both front and rear space could match that of a bigger car. There's ample space for all four passengers. Sure, you might be able to fit a fifth person, but by just.

Cargo area is on the small side but is big enough to hold a couple weekend travel bags. The rear seats also fold down 60/40 split that more than doubles the cargo capacity of the Mirage if the need arises. Plastics on the doors and dash, on the other hand, do their best to hide their unmistakable budget origins. Still, as a positive measure of the car's build quality, the doors close with a solid 'thud'.

One thing I will not miss is the engine noise. It might be the fault of the car's lightness as I can clearly hear the three-cylinder motor inside the cabin when I push the little engine hard enough. Fortunately, the Mirage comes equipped with a touchscreen head-unit to help drown out the engine noise with some music. And just in case I get lost on some unfamiliar roads, it also comes equipped with GPS navigation.

Other notable features of the Mirage GLS are the leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry, auto door lock, climate control air-conditioner, and the keyless engine start/stop button - all of which come as a big surprise, since many of these features are usually reserved for more expensive cars. Safety is not forgotten, as the car is equipped with dual SRS airbags, side impact beams, and a crash safety rating of five stars (out of a maximum of five) by the Australian New Car Assessment Program.

Perfect Choice
Overall, the Mitsubishi Mirage 1.2L GLS CVT is great car all wrapped inside a small cute package. It would be perfect as someone's first car or a family's second run-about. It comes with many features that would be hard to find in many cars, even from a class higher than this. Plus, it’s available in a several eye-catching colors to give the roads some more color than the common white, silver, and black. Priced at P638,000, it just may be your next car.

Pepsi is giving away one Mitsubishi Mirage to lucky drinkers everyday for 45 days

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 06:47:41 +0000

Each Pepsi bottle exactly has 210 calories, 58 grams of sugar, and 45 mg of sodium. But from March 15 to April 28, 2013, it could also come with a brand-new Mitsubishi Mirage. No kidding!

Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) just launched their “Pepsi Hataw! Araw Araw!” promo where they're giving away an all-new Mitsubishi Mirage and other awesome prizes everyday for 45 days straight. All you have to do to join is buy a Pepsi Regular, Pepsi Max, Pepsi Light, Pepsi Blue, Mirinda, 7-Up, Mug, or Mountain Dew and text the 8-digit code under the crown or cap to 2929.

Sizes included in the promo are 7oz, 8oz, 12oz 500mL, 750mL, 1.5L, and 2.0L bottles. Cans, however, are not.

Drinking soft drinks never sounded this good. Aside from the Grand Prize, which is a brand-new Mitsubishi Mirage GLS 1.2 MT worth P588,000, Pepsi is also giving away other awesome Mid and Minor Prizes each day.

For Mid Prizes, there will be two (2) winners each of an iPad Mini, Samsung S3, and Canon D20, plus three (3) Pizza Hut and Max's Restaurant GCs worth P1,500 everday.

Minor Prizes, on the other hand, will have 3,000 winners each of P15 Load or 16oz Slurpee everday for 45 straight days.

Open to Globe, Touch Mobile, Smart, Talk' n Text, and Sun Cellular subscribers who have purchase any participating Pepsi product, one may register multiple mobile numbers with the same registration details however limitation on winnings will apply on a per registrant basis, not on per mobile number basis. Also do note though that you'll have to be at least 13-years-old first to join this contest.

In case you haven't saved up enough yet to buy your own Mirage, this is your chance. But don't blame us if you pack a few pounds from drinking all that Pepsi.

For complete mechanics, visit the Pepsi Philippines Facebook page.

MMPC ends 2012 on a high; Plans big for 50th Anniversary in February

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 23:37:11 +0000

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) was able to sell a total of 34,915 vehicles in 2012, which is a remarkable 7% better than their 2011 performance. Better yet, it's their 6th consecutive year of achieving an annual sales growth and secures them 22% of the local market share. And with these big figures, MMPC keeps its position as the country's second-largest automotive brand, next only to Toyota.

By the numbers, MMPC's Passenger Car sales performance jumped by 93% with 3,214 units sold. We're pretty sure that this surge was brought about by the introduction of the all-new Mirage and Lancer EX 1.6. Of course, we can't discount MMPC's aggressive sales promotions of both models for helping bring the figures up.

Meanwhile, sales of Light Commercial Vehicles increased slightly to 31,058 units versus the 30,457 sold in 2011. The Montero Sport maintains its title as the country's best-selling SUV with 12,510 examples sold last year, but we're pretty sure that number could have been much higher if it weren't for the supply shortage in Thailand. But the undisputed king of all utes, the L300 Chassis Cab, which has been in production since 1987, took 87.3% of the market share in the utility cab segment.

Sales of Fuso trucks and buses, on the other hand, increased with double digits of 36% and 21% respectively.

MMPC 50th Anniversary

This February, MMPC will be celebrating its 50th anniversary and we're sure that they'll have big things in store for us all. Although they won't say what the big birthday blowout surprise will be, we're guessing that it could either be a new car launch, a huge discount promo, or both. As a matter of fact, we do remember MMPC President and CEO Hikosaburo Shibata mentioning that they'll be launching two all-new models this year. We're almost certain that one is the all-new Outlander which was previewed at the 2012 Philippine International Motor Show. Can you guess what the other one will be?

“2013 will be truly an exciting year for MMPC, as we will be introducing new additions to our lineup and at the same time several upgrades to keep our existing models more interesting to the market”, said Shibata. “Our challenge for this year is to sustain the growth trend and keep Mitsubishi a strong and trusted brand in the Philippines,” he added.

On its 50th birthday, MMPC is very optimistic that they could sell 43,000 units this year, or around 8,000 more than last year. They claim that this is a very realistic considering the strong sales performance of the all-new Mirage and a better supply condition for the Montero Sport and Strata which comes from Thailand.

COTY 2012 - 2013 Test Fest Day 7: Big, small, and everything in between

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 23:22:34 +0000

Words by Christopher Kho | Photos by Hans Gerald Chua and author

On a regular day, we'd have around 8 to 10 cars to drive at the Qualitative Testing for the 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P). But this was no regular day. Last January 12, 2013, the boys and girls of the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) found themselves face-to-face with 17 shiny new cars and they had to drive every single one of them. Though the experience was fun, we were all left battered and bruised by the day's end. Still, we got to drive big, small, and everything in between.

The smallest of the bunch were all four variants of the all-new Mirage from Mitsubishi. Following on its trail are the trio of Chevrolet Sonics, in both hatchback and notchback (sedan) forms. Then there were the heavyweights. Chevrolet brought three Colorados with 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains; Foton stepped up with their own all-new Thunder 4x2 and 4x4; and Mitsubishi fielded their 3.0L V6-equipped Montero Sport. But I guess it goes without saying that the crème de la crème were from newcomer Peugeot, who brought their entire line-up: the 3008 crossover, 5008 mpv, 508 sedan, and RCZ sports coupe.

After a long day of mixed sunshine and rain, these are three best cars that left their biggest impressions with the Kotse.com Crew.

Leslie Sy, Kotse.com Online Expert: 2013 Mitsubishi Mirage

There was a time not too long ago when buying a brand new car in the P500,000 price range meant a comprise of choosing something between Chinese or Korean models that felt like they were built using leftover parts. But with the recent entry of the all-new Mitsubishi Mirage into the local scene, the meaning of “entry level” has totally changed.

Powering the Mirage is a 78 hp three-cylinder 1.2L DOHC MIVEC engine, which shares the same design as the unit in the Lancer EX 1.6L, minus one cylinder. It's then matched to a five speed manual or a smooth shifting CVT. Acceleration is brisk but not enough to win any races.

Ride is very comfortable with its soft suspension, although it does have some excessive bodyroll in tight maneuvers. The electric power steering makes light work of driving and parking. It also helps that there is excellent visibility all around. It seats five people with lots of room for everyone, which is pleasantly surprising because cars of this category tend to be a tight squeeze. The GLS model comes very well equipped with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, touchscreen headunit with GPS navigation, and climate control - features you'd normally equate to cars with at least twice its price.

The Mirage 1.2L is a real game changer and means buying an affordable car can now give you great value from a well trusted car brand with top-class features.

Hans Chua, Kotse.com Contributor: 2013 Chevrolet Colorado

I’m not really a fan of pick up trucks, but I'm willing to change my mind after spending some time behind the wheel of the all-new Colorado. Big and tough (not to mention handsome), it gives an impression that it can handle any terrain that stands in front of it, be it on- or off-road. Meanwhile, the spacious interior made it easy for me to find the perfect driving position without having to sacrifice rear legroom. There was plenty of elbow room too for five full grown passengers. Unlike other overly-decorated dashboards I've seen, the Colorado has a clean and simple layout with everything you needed within reach. The Camaro-inspired gauges were also a big plus for me. And despite the Colorado's tall ride height, its wide opening doors made it easy for me to get in and out.

The 2.8L four-cylinder VGT diesel engine was quite responsive and purred silently even at higher revs. Likewise, both manual and automatic transmissions were smooth and made the Colorado drive in a more car-like manner. Although, I do hope that they come out with a six-speed manual gearbox, instead of the current five, for that extra low end grunt and slightly lower rpms at high speed.

Overall, the driving experience made me realize that pick ups too can be fun to drive, and I enjoyed every single minute of it.

Christopher Kho, Kotse.com Editor-in-Chief: 2013 Peugeot 508

If you think that you're too hip for a Honda Accord and too chic for a Toyota Camry, then the Peugeot 508 should suit you perfectly. So it looks a bit odd from certain angles, but who cares? It got your attention, didn't it? And that's exactly what people who drive a 508 want. Plus, I'm pretty sure the French design will eventually grow on you in a few months' time.

I know I'm gonna get burned for saying this, but the 508's interior looks a lot better than its similarly-priced Japanese and Korean counterparts. Everything is beautifully covered in supple black leather, and they managed to properly arrange the multitude of buttons without making the dashboard look like a scientific calculator. Simply put, it looks classy without having to try so hard.

The engine was so silent and smooth that it took me quite a while to realize that the 508 was indeed powered by a 1.6L turbo diesel. Power and torque were more than adequate to send it up to speed, but don't expect it to blow your socks off. The ride is quite supple, but driving over potholes is definitely not its forte.

For P1,995,000, you're actually getting something at par, or even better, than what the Germans have to offer. In fact, the 508 is currently Peugeot's best-selling model in the Philippines.

MMPC's record November 2012 sales is their highest in 17 years

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:42:34 +0000

Based on the combined CAMPI and TMA report for November 2012, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) registered total sales of 3,840 units which is the Japanese automaker's highest-ever monthly sales since 1995. And while most other marques suffered a decline, MMPC's figures went up by a staggering 37.1% last month as compared to October. This allows them to capture 23.1% of the market share and maintain their position as the second-largest car brand in the country, next only to Toyota.

The celebration doesn't end there. Passenger car sales grew by an astounding 608.7% mainly due to the new Lancer EX 1.6L and the recently-launched all-new Mirage. When combined, the two models make up for 1,219 units of the month's harvest. Those numbers enabled Mitsubishi to capture 20% of the market and made them the second best-selling passenger car brand for November.

Just to give you an idea how fast the all-new Mirage flies off the dealerships, MMPC delivered 1,098 examples on just its first month on sale. In fact, they were able to get more than 2,500 reservations. On the contrary, they're now left with a slight problem supplying all those orders.

Moving onto a larger scale, the Montero Sport continues to be one of MMPC's best-selling models - reaching a total of 11,508 units sold from January to November this year. That's actually 3.4% better than what they were able to achieve 2011. Sales of the Strada, on the other hand, improved by 25% this November and managed to grow 4% on a year-to-date basis.

Last but not the least, Fuso truck sales also increased by 66% with 78 units sold compared to the 47 they managed to sell in October.

So far this year, MMPC has registered a grand total sales of 31,551 units, reflecting a 4.6% growth as compared to the same 11 months of 2011.

“MMPC and our dealers are indeed very ecstatic on the sales turnout and the exceptional market response on the all new Mirage,” said MMPC Vice President for Marketing Services, Froilan Dytianquin. “We are also optimistic that this sustained market excitement over the Mirage will pave the way for MMPC’s strong return in the exciting passenger car segment.”

The eagle has landed: Mitsubishi's all-new Mirage is here!

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 01:26:45 +0000

Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp.

What seats five people, runs 21 km/L, and comes with all the toys you'll ever want for just P498,000? No, it's not the all-new Ford Focus, because that costs more... a whole lot more. Ladies and gentlemen, let me formally introduce to you Mitsubishi's all-new Mirage. After countless teasers, a Philippine road tour, and an agonizing three month wait, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) has finally launched their newest hatchback last week at the Mirage Music Festival. And in case you haven't had the chance to get acquainted just yet, I'll run you through everything you have to know about this cute little number.

Size Matters
At 3.71 meters long, 1.66 meters wide, and 1.50 meters tall, the all-new Mirage is smaller than a Honda Jazz and bigger than a Kia Picanto but is cheaper and better-equipped than both. We have also confirmed that it does indeed fit five adults in relative comfort with lots of head and leg room to spare. Not only that, it can still fit 235L worth of luggage at the back in that configuration. Or perhaps you'd like to fold the 60:40 rear seats flat to more than double that capacity.

And speaking of space, the all-new Mirage's black-themed interior makes it look extra roomy, not to mention, easier to keep clean.

Fuel Efficient
Powered by a brand-spanking-new three-cylinder 1.2L MIVEC engine, the Mirage is said to be capable of running as much as 21 km/L. That means you'll only be spending about P2.50 per kilometer in your daily commute. It also comes with either a five-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT); both of which should prove equally fuel efficient on the road.

Despite its size, there's no shortage in grunt, as the little engine packs 77 hp and 100 Nm of torque. The Mirage's lightweight body tips the scales at only around 820 to 850 kg, helping it to zip around at speed.

Fully-Equipped
Just because you're not paying top dollar (or peso in this case) doesn't mean you have to settle for less. Even the basic Mirage GLX comes with dual airbags, electronic time and control system, and a multi-information display as standard equipment.

But for an extra P90,000, you'll get ABS with EBD, Start/Stop Button and Keyless Operation System, 2 DIN touch-screen Multimedia system, climate control, front fog lamps, and 15-inch alloy wheels. That's not all. The three-spoke steering wheel comes wrapped in leather with extra silver accents, and there's a nice spoiler to spice up the rear end. Plus, the side mirrors and door handles are painted in body color.

Still, the GLX's 14-inch steel rims and regular 2-DIN radio aren’t so bad, and its three-spoke urethane steering wheel is identical to the GLS' sans the leather and shiny trim.

Sultan of Subcompacts
Where else can you find a subcompact this spacious, this well-equipped, and priced this cheap? Mitsubishi has really stumbled onto something revolutionary with the all-new Mirage. They haven't simply taken the competition to the whole new level; it’s become an entirely different ball game.

Produced in Mitsubishi Motors Thailand, MMPC has now started local delivery of the all-new Mirage. Prices start at P498,000 for the GLX MT, P548,000 for the GLX CVT, P588,000 for the GLS MT, and P638,000 for the GLS CVT. On top of the awesome package, it also comes with an extended five-year or 100,000 km warranty.

Discover its eight yummy colors - Lemonade Yellow Metallic, Pop Green Mica, Medium Blue Mica, Majestic Red, Savanna White, Cool Silver Metallic, Gemstone Grey, and Pyrenese Black - in our special tour here.

For more info about the all-new mirage, visit www.newmirage.ph and check out the brochure below.