Mitsubishi debuts new 3-cyl 44mpg Mirage – and it’s not a hybrid

By Marcus Amick Published March 29, 2013

Amid questions about Mitsubishi commitment to the US market, the Japanese automaker has unveiled an all-new car touted as the “most fuel efficient non-hybrid gasoline vehicle available in America.”

Even amid the lackluster appeal of the Mitsubishi brand in recent years, that’ll likely pique the interest of more than a few people in the market for a compact looking to save some cash at the pump.

Recommended Videos

The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage, unveiled at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, is said to have a combined fuel economy of 37 mpg city and 44 mpg highway for a combined 40 mpg.

Targeted at urban dwellers, the 5-door subcompact is powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder DOHC engine that produces 74 horsepower and 74 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is offered with either a 5-speed manual or an advanced continuously-variable transmission (CVT) with Idle Neutral Logic.

Standard electric power steering helps the Mirage achieve its high fuel efficiency numbers.

Mitsubishi Mirage (rear) — Image used with permission by copyright holder

In addition, the car features an ECO indicator that illuminates to let the driver know when they are driving in a manner that allows for the best fuel efficiency.

The upmarket Mirage ES model features front fog lamps; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; F.A.S.T. (Free-hand Advanced Security Transmitter)-Key passive entry; One-Touch Start/Stop (OSS) engine switch; steering wheel-mounted audio controls; cruise control and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system.

Additional tech features include LED Interior Illumination, rear parking assist and a navigation system. Pricing was not specified.

Are small-displacement 3-cylinder engines part of a fuel-efficient future? Would you buy this car? Why or why not? Leave a comment below!

Topics

New York Auto Show

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Marcus Amick has been writing about the world of cars for more than ten years and has covered everything from new automobiles…

Cars

If you don’t have a car battery jump starter yet, get this one for only $133

The Avapow W68 car battery jump starter and its accessories.

You won't always need a car battery jump starter, but it's much better to buy one now than to miss it when you need it. You don't have to spend a lot of cash on one too, because there are offers like Walmart's $187 discount for the Avapow W68 car battery jump starter. From its original price of $320, it's all the way down to an affordable $133. We're not sure how much time is remaining for you to be able to take advantage of this bargain though, so you need to complete your purchase right now if you don't want to miss out on the savings.

Why you should buy the Avapow W68 car battery jump starter
There are a few reasons why a car battery loses its charge, including when the car isn't used for a long period of time, the car battery is too old, or you leave power-consuming accessories like the lights or the radio on while the engine is off. Jump-starting a car is an easy process if you have the right tools for it, and the Avapow W68 car battery jump starter has everything that you need. It provides up to 6000A of peak current that's suitable for all 12-volt vehicles -- not just cars but also boats, TVs, tractors, lawnmowers, snowmobiles, and more. It also comes with its own jumper cables with intelligent clamps that will notify you if there are any issues with how you're using them.

Cars

Honda doubles down on ‘holy grail’ of EV batteries

honda solid state battery production first electric suv 3

While some automakers are scaling back their production of electric vehicles, Honda is basking in the glow of a successful launch of its Prologue EV in the U.S., and was recently dubbed “North America’s most committed automaker.”

And now, Japan’s third-largest automaker is showing a similar commitment to making EVs more efficient and affordable, zeroing in on the production of its own in-house solid-state batteries, also known as the ‘holy grail’ of EV batteries.

Cars

If you’ve been planning on buying an EV, now might be the time

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

Well, the days of being able to count on a $7,500 rebate on EV purchases may be coming to a close. The federal EV tax credit has long been a way for many customers to justify the purchase of an electric vehicle over a traditional gas-powered one, especially considering the fact that EVs are typically more expensive upfront (though they cost less to maintain and power over time). Many of the most popular EV models have qualified for the credit over the years, including the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and so on.

With the upcoming change in administration, those days could soon be over. According to a report from Reuters, President-elect Donald Trump's transition team is reportedly planning to kill the EV tax credit -- a move that would likely dissuade many potential buyers from opting for an EV.