The ‘eco-sedan’

SEASONED readers would already know by now that we have test-driven the Mitsubishi Mirage early last year and know about our positive verdict about its fuel-efficiency rating.
As many of you would also know, plenty of manufacturers are now advertising fuel-economy ratings first rather than performance stats unlike how things were done just a few short years ago.
The reality behind that, as well as the Mirage's position in the market is simple: while subsidised, our RON95 petrol price tag of RM2.10 per litre is still a challenge for many to meet.
Perhaps this is where Mitsubishi's impressive formula stands out as the ideal solution to said problem. Utilising a significantly light kerb weight combined with a decent powertrain package, it could theoretically shell out efficiency rates equalling to a hybrid petrol-electric car, or perhaps higher.
Mitsubishi proved it with the Mirage hatchback as we discovered last year and this time round, the brand seeks to reemulate that with a sedan version it christened as the Attrage.
Though it is built based on the Mirage's architecture, the Attrage does boast a different exterior styling besides having an elongated rear end. At first glance, the Attrage's looks has garnered a 'mixed' range of comments, but like its hatchback sibling, we could not ignore how many ladies have called it 'cute'.
While there is an undeniable appeal amongst a substantially large quarter of the targeted B-segment buyers, it underlines the fact that the brand has gone to great lengths with the design's overall aerodynamic efficiency.
The fact is that the styling's engineered low drag co-efficiency plays a critical role in the Attrage's overall fuel economy, as you will discover later in this article.
Underneath the Attrage's shell, the Mirage base car's powertrain has been carried over, meaning you will find the same Mitsubishi brand's 1.2-litre three-cylinder MIVEC petrol engine, reworked slightly with a raised output of 80hp and 106Nm of maximum torque.
Power is driven to the front wheels via the entry-level GL variant's five-speed manual, or a smooth-shifting INVECS-III CVT automatic primed in the mid-range GS and range-topping SE trims. Boasting the same claimed 21km/litre fuel economy figure rated according to NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) as the Mirage, it is easy to see why we forgive the 'mediocre' performance abilities the Attrage has.
But we stress this point: the Attrage's ace card does not lie in high performance capabilities. Instead, it lies greatly in the car's incredible fuel efficiency, a feat that will persuade you to consider owning one.
With the CVT-equipped variants weighing at only 905kg (manual: 875kg), the seemingly puny powertrain is more than sufficient to propel it throughout most driving situations.
More importantly, the light weight compliments the car's streamlined and efficient aerodynamics, resulting in the impressive low fuel consumption figures we obtained.
Our test drive to Penang from Kuala Lumpur organised by Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) saw us pitting ourselves in the Attrage in a 'hypermiling' eco-driving challenge in the journey's first leg to Ipoh, Perak.
Here, the Attrage was driven under city traffic conditions out of MMM's HQ in Peremba Square, Saujana, followed by a stint on the North-South Expressway before meeting stop-go city traffic once again while entering Ipoh.
In this leg, the journey saw us cover a distance of roughly 175km. With the adoption of conservative driving techniques, maintaining highway driving speeds between 80km/h to 100km/h, and utilising the convenient 'ECO' indicator in the instrumentation, we were able to manage an average fuel economy rate of 21.49km/litre, surpassing the aforementioned official NEDC-rated claim.
This exercise clearly proved one thing, and that is the Attrage is a relatively easy car to drive efficiently or 'hypermile' with, even over long distances. The best thing to come packaged together with this impressive fuel economy is the Attrage's extra offerings as a sedan compared to the hatchback version.
Having its wheelbase extended by 100mm over the hatch to 2,550mm, the rear seat's legroom has increased to provide slightly better comforts, but more importantly, the Attrage's 450litre boot capacity will allow you to carry more luggage as compared to the hatch's 235-litre space.
Even with the wheelbase extension and slightly higher kerb weight, much of the Mirage base car's qualities are still present such as the impressive visibility from the dashboard's low belt line, as well as the cabin's generous ergonomics and storage spaces.
Complimenting this further is the Attrage's 4.8-metre tight turning radius, which is only a minute 0.4 metre increase from the hatch's. Inevitably, the price of the impressive frugality and increased practicality does come with a set of complaints. But it is all that you would have already expected from a car with the Attrage's size and price tag.
Our main complaints are firstly with the cabin's copious amounts of hard plastic trimmings, and the rack and pinion steering system's relatively vague feel.
Following that are the seat frames' lack of thigh and lower back support, the notable wind and road noise intrusion at speeds past the110km/h mark, as well as the soft comfort suspension setup's tendency to understeer and roll quite a bit as we discovered whilst charting some back roads through Kuala Kangsar prior to re-entering the North-South Expressway.
But these faults are easily overlooked once you take into account the Attrage's impressive accessories list and standard safety specifications.
Spending most of our drive in the rangetopping SE variant, we love its up-market bits such as the leathercovered seats, steering wheel and gear shifter; the keyless entry plus engine push-start system, 2-DIN Kenwood infotainment head unit with integrated rear-view camera, as well as the LED daytime running lights (DRLs).
Safety-wise, standard equipment across the range includes dual airbags, pre-tensioned seatbelts, and ABS brakes with EBD, proving to be sufficient for a car of this class.
Upon first impressions, the Attrage is a car we have come to respect due to its impressive frugality. Underwhelming at first it may be, but its fuelefficient advantages to your monthly finances will compel you otherwise.
At this point, we reckon that the only other way for you to economise on your daily fuel costs is to either downsize to an A-segment car, or to simply downsize even further by hopping on to a motorcycle instead.
With what is available in the market, the Attrage stands as the only choice if you seek a frugal compact four-door sedan. The SE trim is, in our opinion, the most desirable amongst the Attrage's three-variants, provided you can afford its slightly higher on-the-road price tag of RM77,980.
However, we reckon the mid-range GS variant priced at RM69,980 on-the-road would be the wise choice, and you only lose out on the leather seats covers for fabric types, the Kenwood head-unit and its accompanying reverse-camera for a standard 2-DIN system instead, as well as the LED DRLs deleted in this trim.
Adding value-for-money, all prices includes MMM's offer of one-year free maintenance, as well as a three-year or 100,000km warranty.