No Mirage, it's the real thing

Mitsubishi’s missing-in-action Mirage is back after an absence of many months.

The tiddler returns to showrooms next week with a new look and stronger safety story to tell.

The previous model was the cheapest car to own and run in Australia.

The cheap and cheerful entry to the Japanese carmaker’s range adopts the Mitsubishi family face, sleeker styling, chunky new bumpers with large, angular recesses on each corner to broaden its stance — to give it a stronger, more planted appearance.

The rear has a wider look and greater presence thanks to the squared-off treatment of the bumper corners and a colour-key rear spoiler and an LED high-mount stop lamp for increased safety.

In addition, LS gains new LED headlights with headlight levelling, LED daytime running lights, and LED rear combination lights.

New 15 inch alloy wheels on the LS add increased on-road presence.

Mirage is powered by a responsive 1.2-litre petrol engine, with 57kW of power and 100Nm of torque, the latter from 4000 revs.

No word on fuel consumption.

Entry ES is available with a five-speed manual or optional CVT-style automatic, while the better equipped LS comes only with an auto.

The revised interior includes Mitsubishi’s 7.0 inch smartphone display link audio with DAB, Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto and hands-free voice control.

The ES also sees the introduction of a combination meter with ambient temperature display, and the LS has additional high contrast meter added.

Luggage capacity is 235 litres or 599 litres with rear seats folded.

A cargo cover is standard, along with a 12V accessory socket in the rear.

Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) and rear-view camera now come standard across the range, while the LS also gains Lane Departure Warning (LDW) technology.

LS also adds 15-inch alloys with two-tone diamond-cut styling, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, rear privacy glass, LED headlamps (with automatic high beam), daytime running lamps and rear lamps.

Mirage is priced from $16,490 driveaw for the ES manual or $17,990 for the auto. LS is $18,990 driveaway.

Metallic or pearlescent paint adds $740 (LS includes cost of optional paint).