The 1990s was undoubtedly an era where Japanese cars ruled the automotive scene with their unrivaled technology and performance. Little economy hatchbacks were no strangers to this concept too. Throughout the Heisei era, Japan had released some of the most ecstatic hot hatchbacks, giving their European comrades a run for their pounds and euros. Peppy four pot engines capable of screaming north of supercar rev speeds and jam-packed with technology rivaling that of the Millennium Falcon battleship. Quick, direct, and precise handling offered by suspension systems tuned to the standards of Marco Pierre White's Michelin starred restaurants. Names such as the Honda Civic Type R and Nissan Pulsar GTi-R soon became the talk to even the most hardcore of European hatchback enthusiasts. However, amongst the fast Hondas and Nissans, stood a small, humble Mitsubishi that just didn't want to be in the crowd, and that particular Mitsubishi, was the Mirage Cyborg.
The story of the Mirage dates way back to the late 1970s. Started life as a humble economy hatchback closely related to big bro Lancer, the little nugget soon became quite the popular little car that could bring people of all sorts from A to B, whether it be single men trying to find a meaning for his life, to families wanting a simple break from the rushes of everyday life. It wasn't until the 1980s when Mitsubishi introduced the Mirage Cyborg Turbo, a hot-headed, snail-fed performance trim keen to the likes of active youth lives and spirited drivers. The corresponding hot hatch, with its angry twincam turbo four banger and light chassis soon became a cult favorite to club racers and fast youngsters. Mitsubishi saw the ever looming potential of the Mirage, and as such, the Cyborg models continued on.
In 1991, Mitsubishi announced the fourth generation Mirage. Such was the 90s, gone were the generic box style of the 80s and in was a completely fresh bubble shape design which was, quite frankly, as 1990s as you can get it to be. "Pure Innovation" was the key concept here. Also new was the addition of the Mirage Asti, a cousin of the hatchback Mirage taking the form of a coupe, now seemingly trying to settle a score with the American-built Civic coupe. Apart from the radical changes in design language, the Mirage remained to be the same honest, friendly, and light-hearted Mitsubishi hatchback people knew and loved. However, unfortunately gone (but never forgotten of course) was the previous generation's beastly twincam turbo 4G61 engine that generated a notorious reputation among Mirage owners and certainly racers. Nevertheless, as unfortunate as it might seem, the newly developed engine did not cease to disappoint, even with the lack of forced induction.
The top-of-the-line Cyborg trim came with a 1.6 L naturally aspirated DOHC straight four engine, under the code 4G92. Unlike Toyota's rudimentarily simple 4A-GE unit or perhaps even Honda's ingeniously complex B16A VTEC engine, Mitsubishi opted to go for the "in-between route", and such was the case with their technology; MIVEC. In the most simple of terms, it's a slight re-work of Honda's cam changing variable valve system, VTEC. Such a design helped propel the small little four cylinder to produce a scarcely believable 175PS worth of power at a screaming 7500 RPM ( Also a good 167 newton-meters supply worth of torque at 7000 RPM). To give you some perspective on how powerful it is, the standard, run-of-the-mill 4G92 engine is only able to squeeze out 147PS, and the previous generation's infamous twincam turbo? 160PS. That's an impressive 28PS increase from the standard engine's power, and in fact 15PS more than the turbo fourby of yesteryear. All gained from simple camshaft wizardry.
The interior of the Mirage is expectedly Lancer, and, as also expected, takes on a completely new form compared to the Mirage of generation past. No more do we see the characteristically 80s Lego box-themed interior, and in its replacement was a much more flowing, in fact fluid design, moving on to the present that was the 90s. Basic. Subtle. Simple. The dashboard now comes from the fourth-generation Lancer, and the steering wheel ripped off from the first and second rally homologation Evolution models. Junked were the white-faced speedometers of the previous Mirage Cyborg in favor of a more to-the-point black. Seats and door cards were covered in a black-gray fabric fusion, or if you feel a little fancy, a burst of confetti colors to spice up your Mirage's working space. Transmission? A then standard yet simple 5-speed manual box or a 4-speed automatic should the owner treat themselves as royal highnesses.
Having a Lancer-based chassis, Lancer underpinnings, and a weight under 1100 kilograms, the CA4A-coded Mirage proved to be a threat among the likes of Toyota's electric AE101 Levin/Trueno duo and Honda's choice EG6 Civic SiR. In a Best Motoring video featuring a one-on-one battle which pits the iconic Honda against the underdog Mitsubishi, the Mirage was able to hold its ground completely, sticking its nose frequently behind Japan's staple performance hatchback and quite frankly giving it a damn good run for its dear yen. Considering the Mirage's massive motorsport and performance potential, racers alike came rushing in to have themselves a taste of the automobile representation of that one quiet kid in your classroom. In the 80s, there have already been a number of Mirage one-make races, and the tradition continues on with the introduction of the CA4A, ensuring tight battles with the most skilled of drivers. Rally drivers also had a taste of the Mirage through events such as dirt trials and gymkhana, where the little bubble-shaped hatchback became quite the tour de force in both respective classes, sometimes even outpacing the Civics, which at the time were known to be absolute gymkhana weapons.
At the time of release, Mitsubishi knew very well that their customers was most likely going to go ham with their newly-purchased Mirages, and so to keep the fiery-headed, lead-footed drivers content, they also made an "RS" model available. Similar in concept to the well sought-after Lancer Evolution RS trim, the Mirage RS was a stripped down, all thrills no frills motorsport base car intended for racing. Of course, this wasn't just ANY bare bones Mirage. MMC made sure that the RS didn't only stood for "Reduced weight Savings". Special attention has been given to the engine, where it received fancy titanium alloy intake valves. Higher duration camshafts. Dedicated oil coolers (also found on the power steering rack). Meanwhile, faster acceleration was achieved via the use of special short cross gear ratios on a stronger 5-speed box. Footwork and steering was improved by a quicker steering rack, harder suspension bushes with reinforced trailing arms, as well as beefier 15-inch brakes nesting up front, ventilated. As a last touch, additional heavy-duty strut bars up front and additional spot welds on strategic parts of the body ensured added stiffness. The RS was as basic as it was serious.
In 1995, the CA-generation Mirage was replaced by a newer CJ platform and remaining relatively similar in styling cues, bringing back the same bubble-shaped design which made the fourth-generation an icon of its time. Again, its powerful MIVEC-equipped motor and light chassis proved destructive be it on circuit, rally, or gymkhana. Showing the likes of the newer EK4 and AE111 that a new kid is in town, and boy is he hustling and bustling about. Production continued on until 2000, and finally, the Mirage chapter of Mitsubishi Motors came to a close. It wasn't until 2013 when Mitsubishi Motors revived the name in the form of a Thailand-produced bean-shaped econobox, much to the dismay of fans and critics alike, as it completely veered off from the original Mirage recipe of a fun, exciting hatchback. Though it may seem as if the original Mirage saga has completely ended, it can be said that the 90s was a time when the Mirage truly shined. The little Mitsubishi that could...
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