Mitsubishi Mirage facelift revealed at Geneva ahead of May launch

Mitsubishi has revealed the facelifted Mirage with new styling, interior fittings and technology, and confirmed it will go on sale in the UK in May.

The Mirage receives new styling as part of the facelift, with a more modernised front-end, which fits more closely with the rest of the Mitsubishi range.

"While our strategy is to be a niche manufacturer of four-wheel drive vehicles with electric or hybrid power trains, there is a core of small car buyers for whom the Mirage is the car they want - small, efficient, and capable enough," Lance Bradley, boss of Mitsubishi motors UK, said.

Mitsubishi's sales are expected to hit 31,000 in the year up to March 2016 in the UK, and the Mirage will account for around 1500 of them.

The facelift also features an upgraded interior, with improved interior materials such as piano black and chrome trim, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel. New seat upholstery also features, in either black or black and white.

A new optional 6.5in touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav, Apple Carplay, Android Auto and voice control will also first feature on the Mirage, before being offered on other cars in the Mitsubishi line-up.

Revised suspension and chassis updates are among the mechanical upgrades, as well as improved power steering and hill start assist, which has been made standard across the Mirage range.

A new engine lineup also features, with two three-cylinder petrol engines now available. A 1.0-litre unit, with 70bhp and 65lb ft of torque, and a 1.2-litre, with 79bhp and 78 lb ft, are optimised for lightweight build and efficiency with stop-start and variable valve timing, although Mitsubishi is yet to confirm official emissions and fuel economy figures.

The facelifted Mirage was first seen at the Los Angeles motor show in November, but Geneva will be the car’s European debut. UK specs and prices are yet to be confirmed, but are likely to remain the same as those of the current Mirage, which starts at £9054. 

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