When two worlds collide — Mitsubishi
TO start off, this is not a comparison but rather two reviews combined into one. A write-up like this makes it more interesting, especially when both subjects are from different continents.
While our domestic market has been stagnant for a long time, recent developments have seen some market progress, where Malaysians have more options with their automotive decisions.
While traditional buyers will want to go with the usual horsepower rating and ride/ handling prowess, there are many who want the focus to be more on fuel economy.
There are also those who yearn for a continental brand, but cannot afford it as those brands usually cater to the upper echelon of society.
We have brought together two cars that signal the significant change to our automotive atmosphere — the Mitsubishi Attrage and the Volkswagen Polo 1.6.
Mitsubishi Attrage — Eco (and wallet) friendly mobility
Based on the Mitsubishi Mirage, it can be safely said that the Attrage is an expected move from the three-diamond brand company.
The name, which is perhaps a play on the words “and
attractive„ “seems to be a bit too mirage„, aggressive for such a sedan, but it does catch on after a while.
Built for the Thai market, which promotes the purchase of eco-friendly vehicles through tax exemptions and other incentives, the Attrage maintains the Mirage’s eco-car status by exceeding the required 20km per litre ruling and runs on a Euro 4 engine.
Is the Attrage a Mirage with a longer boot? No, it is not. Mitsubishi has made enough changes and modifications to allow this B-segment sedan to carry its own name.
The first technical difference is its longer wheelbase, 100mm longer than the Mirage. Overall, the Attrage is longer, wider and higher, and promises good cabin space for five adults.
As a family sedan, the Attrage has higher ground clearance at 10mm, a larger 42-litre fuel tank versus the hatchback’s paltry 35-litre jerry can and a 450-litre boot, which is almost double the Mirage’s 235-litre. Mitsubishi utilises modern engineering to ensure that these physical enhancements do not add too much weight to the whole package. The Attrage has a kerb weight of between 885kg and 930kg, while the heaviest Mirage is only 850kg.
Mitsubishi achieves this lightweight figure by using high-tensile steel in the chassis, allowing for a lighter body-inwhite while maintaining body rigidity.
The drive train and interior, however, are similar to the Mirage. This means the sedan runs on the 3A92 three-cylinder, 1.2-litre twin-cam MIVEC engine that is mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or an INVECS-III CVT automatic gearbox.
As with many other B-segment players, the Attrage runs on MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam set up at the rear. Brakes are discs on the front wheels and drums at the back, which are more than enough to haul down this eco sedan to a halt safely.
Another point that must be highlighted is the Attrage’s focus on comfort. Unlike the Mirage, the Attrage gets more sound deadening material and the suspension is designed to carry the added weight. So if you think this sedan will be the same as the hatchback, you are wrong.
We took the car out for two days and we found that there is nothing cheap about the Attrage. Although this is the most bare sedan in the Mitsubishi army of products, the Attrage has a good level of refinement that allows it to challenge some of the national C-segment cars.
The seats are wide and there is a feeling of airiness in the cabin, probably due to the tall ceiling. Sound intrusion from the engine and even wind is well contained at highway speeds, and we were impressed as this is a small sedan with tiny engine.
On roads around Bangsar, which go up and down at steep angles, the engine had to work harder to carry three adults to maintain 90kmph. In the CVT, since there were no ratios to swap, there was zero shift shock and what we got was the engine humming at different tones.
Something else that impressed us was its good ride and handling. We could throw it into corners at break-neck speeds where the tyres screeched but the car maintained its bearing and remained predictable.
On the highway, it is best to keep it at legal speed limits. With a body that light, going around a long sweeping turn at high speed will you below, miles fuel. of on If variant, button system. sedan that highest a package, good