Mitsubishi Pondering Mirage Sedan for the USA, Possibly with Turbo Engine

When people hear the words "Mitsubishi sedan" and "Turbo" in the same sentence, the first thing that comes to mind is the Lancer EVO, but there's nothing "EVO" about this story…

While Mitsubishi's new low cost, Asian-made Mirage hatchback has yet to go on sale in the States (it will, later this fall with prices starting from $12,995), company officials are already mulling their next move, which entails the addition of a sedan version of the car based on the existing model already sold in Thailand and the Philippines as the Attrage and Mirage G4 respectively.

"We have to first watch how the Mirage is received in America. Is it selling well?" Mitsunori Kitao, COO of Mitsubishi Motors Thailand Co., told Autonews.

However, the five-door hatchback is powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline unit delivering a lukewarm 74hp and 74 lb.-ft. of torque, which may prove inadequate for the sedan version in the States.

"U.S. people might require more acceleration. So we are not sure if it has marketability or not," said Ryujiro Kobashi, Mitsubishi North America general manager for marketing and global small-car projects. "Perception is very important, even though the market is moving toward downsizing."

The report says the company could address the problem by turbocharging the three-cylinder unit for the North American market.

For the time being, however, Mitsubishi will track the Mirage and see how it goes in hatchback form, with the automaker expecting to sell about 600 units a month or 7,200 cars a year.

Story References: Autonews

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