The 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo is a car that demands attention, with its sleek design and impressive performance capabilities. According to a 1984 review by Car and Driver, the Mirage Turbo is a “shrivelled-up rat racer” that is “more than a gussied-up Colt,” with a new platform, lowered floorpan, and increased cabin dimensions.
The car’s exterior design is notable, with a black and red trim, long and slim front side marker lights, and a sweet curling of the door into the smooth roof. The interior is also well-designed, with good cloth seats, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, and a decent dash layout.
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The Mirage Turbo has a 1.6-liter engine that produces 102 horsepower, making it a powerful car for its size. It also features a five-speed overdrive transmission and a turbocharger that “spins up in a flash.” The car’s suspension is fully independent, with MacPherson struts at the front and trailing arms at the rear.
Despite its impressive performance, the Mirage Turbo is not without its flaws. The car’s steering is heavy at low speeds, and the unassisted steering can be a challenge to handle. Additionally, the car’s synchros can be a bit rough, particularly on the two-three and four-five upshifts.
In terms of handling, the Mirage Turbo is a “heck of a car,” with a top speed of 105 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 9.2 seconds. The car’s braking is also impressive, with a 70-0 mph stopping distance of 191 feet. However, the car’s heavy low-speed steering can make it difficult to handle in tight corners.
Overall, the 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo is a car that is sure to please enthusiasts, with its impressive performance, sleek design, and affordable price tag. As one reviewer noted, “this is a car that makes me think that the future of the enthusiast car is so bright I’ll need Ray-Bans.”
Here are the key specs for the 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo:
- Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 2-door hatchback
- Engine: turbocharged SOHC inline-4, iron block and aluminum head, port fuel injection
- Displacement: 97 in3, 1598 cm3
- Power: 102 hp @ 5500 rpm
- Torque: 122 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
The Mirage Turbo’s dimensions are as follows:
- Wheelbase: 93.7 in
- Length: 157.3 in
- Width: 64.4 in
- Height: 50.8 in
- Passenger Volume, F/R: 46/35 ft3
- Cargo Volume: 12 ft3
- Curb Weight: 2256 lb
In testing, the Mirage Turbo achieved the following results:
- 0-60 mph: 9.2 sec
- 1/4-Mile: 16.8 sec @ 79 mph
- 100 mph: 44.1 sec
- Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 13.0 sec
- Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 14.7 sec
- Top Speed: 105 mph
- Braking, 70–0 mph: 191 ft
- Roadholding, 282-ft Skidpad: 0.79 g
The Mirage Turbo’s fuel economy is also notable, with an observed fuel economy of 19 mpg and an EPA rating of 24/28 mpg.
Despite its impressive performance and features, the Mirage Turbo is not without its drawbacks. As one reviewer noted, the car’s steering can be “grunt work” at low speeds, and the car’s heavy steering can make it difficult to handle in tight corners.
However, overall, the 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo is a car that is sure to please enthusiasts, with its impressive performance, sleek design, and affordable price tag. As one reviewer noted, “this is a car that makes me think that the future of the enthusiast car is so bright I’ll need Ray-Bans.”
