Typically, when an automaker announces a new model-year lineup and a certain car is absent, it’s assumed that model is being killed off. Take, for example, Nissan’s recent outline of its 2016 model-year lineup, which included mention that the Xterra SUV won’t continue past 2015. Or when Toyota axed the FJ Cruiser. We could go on, but the point is, usually these new-year no-shows stay forever dead. But not at Mitsubishi, which has excluded the tiny Mirage subcompact from its 2016 plans, but, curiously, isn’t permanently killing the little guy.
So it’s a little strange, but stick with us here. This spring, Mitsubishi will introduce an early 2017 Mirage that will have powertrain and chassis updates. In the meantime, we imagine there are more than enough of the 2015 models sitting around dealer lots to keep Mitsu covered for the intervening months. So, the company saves the time and effort required to federalize and market a (brief) 2016-model-year Mirage, probably without losing any sales.
Coinciding with the updated, 2017 Mirage hatchback’s arrival is the introduction of a four-door sedan Mirage variant, a model sold elsewhere in the world and sure to fluff sales Stateside. After all, just look at how many Versa sedans Nissan sells. So stay tuned—Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution might be dead for the time being, but the Mirage will be taking only a brief dirt nap before rising again.
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