Mitsubishi Mirage test drive since 2012 Hatchback

Mitsubishi Mirage Dingo J car overview

What is a layer of makeup?
The Mirage Dingo car is produced by Mitsubishi, which, as everyone knows, produced such a model as Lancer Evolution VII. Figuratively speaking, both of these cars are members of the same family. Therefore, it pulls to evaluate them in one vein. But the facts are a stubborn thing. Therefore, I will try to maintain objectivity. So, what became famous for Mirage Dingo? I can recall: his car was called the strangest among all Japanese cars. In the new version of this car, everything seemed to be redone and redrawn. But a strange thing: you look at it from the side, and an association arises with a girl from the corps de ballet, which before the performance creates a certain image for itself with the help of a thick layer of makeup. But it is worth ending with the performance how she is again an ordinary person. Maybe this is an unsuccessful comparison. But I want to emphasize that Mirage Dingo, no matter how its creators tried, did not look like a new way. And it is very indicative that the fact that his former, and, as I noticed above, the strange face still lives, can be considered very indicative. True, now it decorates the car of only one modification called Aero.
In front of me lies a statistical guide. We look: in January 2001, 850 Mitsubishi Mirage Dingo cars were registered. Let us compare these data with indicators similar in form and content Honda Capa: for the same January - 959 registrations. As you can see, the achievements are approximately equal. At least this is not a complete failure. And can anyone say with confidence that this or other car has suffered a complete fiasco? Someone still buys it. We turn to the directory again. In January of the same year, the number of registered cars of the Nissan Cube model was 5861. Where does this demand for this, as they say, have a confused car? I remember her, and I feel uneasy, even to a greater extent than when comparing Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII and Mirage Dingo (see the first paragraph). I look further: Mazda Demio - for a month 5372 registration. A good mood is coming to me a little.
General information about the machine
The phenomenon of this model to the buyer took place on December 22, 1998. It was introduced to customers as a high station wagon. Mirage Dingo was sold with another Mitsubishi brand of the middle class and medium popularity, namely the compact Mirage model. Although the word mirage is present in the names of both machines, their chassis is actually different.
Ahead of the first Miraage Dingo model flashed the headlights of the original shape. The machine was equipped with a 1.5-liter engine in combination with a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Her sales, as they say, did not go. Then two more were added to the main modification-with a 1.3-liter and 1.8-liter engines. This step did not cause much rise in consumer interest. Then in January 2001, the developers pulled the car to the car and decided to try his luck in the market again. These external changes did not affect, however, modifications with a 1.8-liter engine. The model with a 1.5-liter engine began to be produced with a unavailable variator, and a modification with all-wheel drive is also provided.
Existing modifications of Mirage Dingo
Modification J (I remind you that it is equipped with a 1.5 l engine) two more surround: a more powerful Aero presses on top (equipment with a 1.8-liter engine), and below is POP with a 1.3-liter engine. Thus, the modification j is average in this series. Unlike another modification of V - it is standardly equipped with decorative caps that completely cover the wheels of the wheels, retractable mirrors of the side view (on an electric drive), a musical center and a tachometer. In addition, the rear seats in the configuration of V are made in the form of a sofa, that is, they are a whole. Therefore, if a potential buyer wants to fold the rear seats separately or actively change their mutual location in the direction of the back and forth, then he should stop his choice on the machine of the J.THOTOM, as an option, you can equip the salon with a navigation system (Navipack equipment).
Assessment from the inside
Interior equipment and front panel - 3 points
Most of all, in the appearance of the car, the front part underwent changes. However, her face still has a strange expression. Nevertheless, everything is done without oddities inside the cabin, you can not worry. The curved plane on the gearbox site disappeared so out of place. Now the transmission control handle on the steering column will work easier. It feels like the smooth operation of the usual lever of speed switching, and the lever is made so that even if you want, you will not be mistaken.
As I have already noted, the car is equipped with a unavailable variator, so after position D, the abbreviation DS immediately follows the active braking mode. Everything is very logical, and switching on the go is convenient. Access to the navigation system, which is made by Mitsubishi, is also facilitated. The navigator is very convenient, which distinguishes this car from most products of Mitsubishi. I just looked around the salon, but if you evaluate what I saw by higher standards, then there is still something to work on. In other way, all the components specially made for this car do not cause anxiety, which can not be said about other details that seem to be purchased on the side.
Front seats - 3 points
The surface of the front seats does not cause negative emotions. Perhaps the reason lies in the fact that shortly before I was driving Honda Stream. Be that as it may, they were rather soft to the touch. At first, however, I had doubts: would it be too tiring to be in the driver’s chair for a long time? But I went through all Tokyo and did not feel much fatigue. If we talk about landing, then you can always use the regulator of the angle of tilt of the seat, and its size is the most popular. In a word, if necessary, you can fully count on them.
Rear seats - 2 points
In softness, the rear seats are no different from the front. But it’s strange: the seats are so spacious and comfortable, and there is no desire to sit in them. I suppose I realized what was the matter. The developers needed to place the seats in such a way that, with any move forward or backwards, they would not be directly above the rear wheel. More precisely, they are not shaking. It was necessary to make seats moving on the socks and so that their backs were leaning back. And these backs, in turn, are adjacent to the walls of the cabin, so they exactly copy their bend. So, there is no way to give them other outlines. This is regretted. At first glance, I even had a suspicion that they were broken.
Luggage department - 3 points
The maximum width of the luggage compartment on the floor is 100 cm, the height to the ceiling is 105 cm, and the depth is 65 cm. Thus, if you need to take more baggage with you, then you can move the rear seats forward or simply fill up their backs forward. Then turn the staging node in front and lay out in front of the seat (the vestibule system). It's all so complicated!
What is the car on the go?
Engine and transmission - 3 points
This is not to say that Mirage Dingo is very light. Already the fact that the car has an increased height involves a relative increase in its mass, right? Not the most profitable body in terms of saving the body. And such a machine is equipped with an engine with a 1.5 -liter working volume, but working on a depleted mixture. In the previous version of the model, it happened that even with the smallest increase in the load, the impoverishment of the mixture stopped, since there was not enough power. But in the course of low modernization, this drawback was eliminated.
 
When driving around the city, a green speedometer indicator, which should notify that the engine is working on a depleted mixture, is almost always on. I would even say this: there was no such moment when he was dangled, with the exception of cases when I switched to a torn pace of movement, that is, made sharp jerks (the trip is a trial). Maybe thanks to the transfer of transmission into a stray scheme, perhaps, for another reason, there is a significant improvement in the engine. Now about what happened to the car on a high -speed highway. Here the indicator burned until the speed of movement was 110 km/h and while I controlled the machine in the so -called gentle regime. But as soon as the speedometer crossed the threshold of 110 km/h, the indicator turned off, and no tricks were made to catch his green eye.
The operation of the CVT system, including the hydrotransformer, can be called normal. At least, there is a significant improvement compared to the previous option, when the engine worked in combination with a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Well, maybe Japanese automation really began to improve a little? I would like to believe. By the way, on the variator control panel after position D, the DS position is immediately intended to discharge speed. As my experience shows, this mode can be switched even at maximum speed, and nothing bad will happen. This is very convenient.
Comfort and steering - 4 points
The Miraage Dingo suspension can be called the Japanese classic Soft Ride. Such a large dynamic suspension course leads to the fact that the front of the car is too swaying. Of course, if the body is not very stretched, then you can close your eyes for this. But with an increase in the length of the car, the suspension should be made a little tougher. But that's my personal opinion.
In general, as they say, what we have, and is happy. The same with the driving qualities of Dingo. I compare my current impressions with those that made from my acquaintance with the previous model, and I can note that there are fewer comments. Well, if necessary, you can dwell on this, although (or maybe that is why) I have not experienced much delight. So, if you just want to shave around the city, glancing at everything from above, then this car should not be discounted. At least she is safe. And security, as you know, is primarily!
Test results
Driver: Mori Kate
Test date: from 22 to 24 February, 2001.
Type of the tested car: advertising sample.
Year of release of the tested car: 2001
General mileage at the time of testing: 275 km.
Tires: front and rear 185/65R14 86S Yokohama S 220.
Optional equipment: air conditioning - a full machine gun, navigation system, a radio receiver with a mini -discount player and 4 columns.
The purpose of the tests: obtaining a general idea of \u200b\u200bthe behavior of the machine on the go.
Movement schedule: City line of high -speed highway.
The distance traveled during the tests: 136.1 km.
Total fuel consumption: 45.8 liters
Approximate fuel consumption: 1 liter per 10.8 km (about 9.26 liters per 100 km).
General rating - 2 points
Technical characteristics Mitsubishi Mirage Dingo J
 
Length / width / body height
3905 mm / 1695 mm / 1635 mm
Wheelbase
2440 mm
Dry weight
1190 kg
Drive unit
Front
Engine
1.5-liter, 4-cylinder with in order of cylinders, gas distribution mechanism two upper shafts with 16 valves, developed power-105 hp. at 6000 rpm, maximum torque 14.3 kg/m at 3500 rpm.
Transmission
Standed variator
Basic price
1.298,000 yen (about $ 12.400)
The price of the car on which the test trip was performed
1.533,000 yen (about $ 14.600)
 
Author: Mori Keita (Mori Keita)
Photo: Arakawa Masayuki (Arakawa Masayuki)
February 2001

Source: webcg