Shanghai show: Mitsubishi’s Mirage sedan concept

MITSUBISHI will again wheel out its G4 concept at the Shanghai show this weekend, previewing a sedan version of the Mirage light car that is creeping closer to production reality.

First unveiled at the Bangkok motor show last month, the G4 – which stands for Global four-door sedan – is confirmed as pointing to an upcoming production model that will be sold in Australia.

But Mitsubishi Motors Australia corporate communications manager Caitlin Beale declined to comment on time-scales for a local launch.

GoAuto understands the sedan will arrive sooner rather than later – an early 2014 launch has been mooted.

The car will almost certainly be badged Mirage rather than taking on a new nameplate like Nissan’s Micra-based Almera.

Like the Mirage hatch, the G4 has a lightweight body shell with extensive use of high-tensile steel and a three-cylinder 1.2-litre engine drives the front wheels through an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Mitsubishi claims the light weight results in “agile and pleasing driving dynamics” plus reassuring handling and stability and a comfortable ride.

A high hip point and large door openings make entry and exit easy, while rear legroom is said to be generous.

Compared with the Mirage hatch, the G4 has a large radiator grille, more sharply creased character lines on the bonnet, re-shaped headlights and sportier front and rear bumper designs.

Looking through the blue LED lighting and other blue highlights that are pure concept car folly, the G4’s front doors and exterior mirrors are clearly Mirage-derived, as is the sharp crease running along the car’s flanks.

At the back is a large rear windscreen leading into a snub boot-lid with lip spoiler, while the tail-light clusters are of similar shape to those of the hatch.

Mitsubishi has sold 2274 Mirages in Australia – priced between $12,990 and $17,740 – since it launched on January 22.

Also on the Mitsubishi stand at Shanghai from April 20 will be the CA-MiEV concept that debuted at Geneva in early March as a preview to a replacement for the all-electric i-MiEV.

A 28kWh battery pack, low weight and aerodynamic design contribute to the concept’s claimed 300km range.