CE Lancer/Mirage Archaeology (WIP)

Komet

Member
Hello everyone, recently I have become interested in researching all the different versions of Lancers and Mirages, as I've found there to be a lot of interesting different versions of both cars. Although I have found it difficult to find more information online on all the lesser-known badges/trims out there. To that end I thought why not make a thread to document them and their features!

Going to try to present the information in a standard format and be as factual as possible, most of this information has been gathered from used car guides online as well as my own adventures and note taking from wreckers. Some of it may be incorrect as I'm still learning this stuff, any corrections are appreciated to get this list as accurate as possible. Will be adding pictures as I acquire them, though some of these are exceptionally hard to find so it may be a long process.

Mirage

Base Mirage (Hatch)
Base CE1 (1996-1999)
The Mirage was introduced in Australia in July 1996. On release it was initially a one model line-up, with one engine choice available - a 69 kW 12-Valve 1.5 Litre 4 Cylinder with either a 5-Speed Manual or optional 4-Speed Automatic. Standard features included grey interior trim, a two speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, cloth trim, a tilt adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser. Optional features included Air-Conditioning, power steering, a Dual Airbag Package and an optional 'power pack' added power steering, a rear window wiper and body-coloured bumpers.

CE1Mirage.png

Base CE2 (1999-2001)
In August 1999, the range was face lifted and can be identified by its new front bumper which incorporated a single-bar grille and single-piece multi-parabola headlights. There were also new rear tail lights, full wheel covers and the 'Mirage' name was badged across the tailgate. The seat and door trim fabric was also updated from a light blue "triangles" pattern to a slightly different "Triangle/fleck" pattern in grey and blue. It also gained 4 Speakers, a rear window wiper and power steering as standard features. Optional features included air-conditioning, a passenger airbag and body-coloured bumpers.

CE2Mirage.png

Base Mirage (2001-2003)
In December 2001, the range came with a Drivers Airbag as standard otherwise with all the same optional features as the previous iteration. The seats and door trim fabric were updated again to a darker blue "checkers" pattern. The Mirage continued unchanged until 2003 when production ended to make way for the Z30 Colt.

VR-X Mirage (Hatch)
VR-X CE2 (1999 - 2003)
The VRX variant of the Mirage was released as a limited edition in October 1999. Compared to the standard Mirage, the VRX was distinguished by 14-inch alloy wheels, black interior trim, passenger vanity mirror, power windows, power mirrors, white gauges which also included a tachometer, body-coloured bumpers and body kit (bumper lip, skirts and spoiler) all as standard. The seats and door trim were also changed to a blue "computer circuit" fleck pattern. The VRX joined the line-up permanently in 2000.
*These are pretty hard to find these days, only ever seen 2 examples around Brisbane. I regret not buying them.

MirVRX1.jpg

SSI-R Mirage (1997)
The SSI-R Mirage was differentiated from the standard by black and red SSI-R stickers on the front bumper, tailgate and lower left and right side as well as blue seats embroidered with SSI-R. *As far as I'm aware there were no other differences, unsure of when exactly it was produced or why. I've only ever seen one example of this type.

Lancer

Base GLi Lancer (Coupe/Sedan)
GLi CE1 (1996-2001)
The fifth generation CE Lancer came to Australia alongside the Mirage, which it was derived from, in 1996. The base GLi model originally only featured the same 1.5L engine as the Mirage slaved to the same 5-Speed Manual or 4-Speed Automatic transmission. Standard features included grey interior trim, a two speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, cloth trim, power steering, a tilt adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser. Originally it had light blue "tiger" pattern seats with dark blue door trim and carpets, in 1998 it was updated to a "Triangle/fleck" pattern in grey and blue (same as the CE1 Mirage). The GLi Sedan had grey "digital" pattern seats. Optional features offered were Air-Conditioning, rear spoiler and a Dual Airbag Package.
GLi CE2 (2001-2003)
In 2001 the GLi was facelifted, receiving a new front bumper incorporating a chrome-trimmed insert grille and single-piece multi-parabola headlights. It was also now offered with a 86 kW 16-Valve 1.8 Litre 4 Cylinder 4G93 Engine alongside the 4G15 from previous models. Other standard features included 4 Speakers with a Radio and CD player, Air Conditioning, Tachometer as standard features. It had a dark blue "checkers" seat and door trim pattern (same as the CE2 Mirage). The GLi Sedan had grey "digital" pattern seats. Optional features were ABS (Anti-lock brakes), rear spoiler and a passenger airbag. Owing to Mitsubishi's financial struggles, the lancer Coupe would be discontinued after the final year of production of the CE in 2003.

GLXi Lancer (Coupe/Sedan)
GLXi CE1(1997-2001)
The GLXi is a small step up from the base GLi Lancer with a few additional features. It had the 1.8L 4G93 as standard with either manual or automatic transmission. Standard features were mostly the same as the base GLi including the seat and door trim patterns, but now included cupholders, power mirrors and a driver airbag.

GLXi CE2 (2001-2003)


MR Lancer (Coupe)
MR CE1 (1997-1999)
Unlike the VRX Mirage, which arrived much later to compliment its standard counterpart, the MR badged Lancers were introduced alongside the base GLis in 1996. The MRs all came with the 1.8L 4G83 as standard with either manual or automatic transmission. Standard features were 14-inch alloy wheels, black interior trim, passenger vanity mirror, power mirrors, power windows, cupholders, centre console lid and black-faced gauges including a tachometer. The seats and door fabric featured a blue "tiger stripe" pattern and also had adjustable headrests. Exterior features included side skirts, rear spats, a rear spoiler and fog lights. Optional features included dual airbags and air conditioning.

CE1LanMR.png

MR CE2 (1999-2001)
The CE2 MR arrived in 1999 with a few minor updates over the CE1. Most notably it now had a bumper lip, which the CE1 lacked, as well as single-piece headlights, white-faced gauges including a tachometer and Evo 5 style tail lights which were now kinked following the lines of a new kinked boot. The interior seat and door fabric trim was also changed to a red "computer circuit" fleck pattern. Everything else remained the same as the previous iteration. Optional features also remained the same as the CE1.

CE2LanMR.png

MR CE3 (2001-2003)
The final iteration of the MR coupe came around in mid-late 2001 and featured some of the biggest changes, like the facelifted GLis, it received a new front bumper which also came with a new lip to suit, fog lights, as well as the same chrome grille seen on the GLi. The skirts, rear pods and spoiler remained unchanged. The interior pattern was also updated again now with blue "mesh" seats and black door trim fabric. The only optional feature was ABS, as dual airbags and air conditioning were now made standard for all CE3 MRs.

CE3LanMR.png

VR-X Lancer (Coupe/Sedan)
VR-X CE2 (2001-2003)

The VRX version of the Lancer arrived with the facelift in 2001 as both a coupe and sedan. Standard features were: 14-inch alloy wheels, black interior trim, passenger vanity mirror, power mirrors, white gauges which also included a tachometer, full body kit (bumper lip, skirts, rear spats and a spoiler). The new seats and door trim had red and blue "Lines" as a pattern, identical to the FTO. The sedan had the same seats but plain black plastic trim door cards. Unlike the MR it did not have power windows, cupholders, a centre console lid or adjustable seat headrests. Dual airbags and ABS were also available as the only optional features.

LanVRX.png

SSI-R Lancer (1997
The SSI-R Lancer was differentiated from the standard by black and red SSI-R stickers on the front bumper, tailgate and lower left and right side as well as blue seats embroidered with SSI-R. Essentially just a sticker pack on a regular GLi.

LanSSIR1.jpgLanSSIR2.jpg


MR Lancer Cabriolet
 
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Hey man, sweet right up. There's another version of the CE Lancer, was a dealership special known as a 'Version R'. Might be a cool thing to look into for your list
 
Hey man, sweet right up. There's another version of the CE Lancer, was a dealership special known as a 'Version R'. Might be a cool thing to look into for your list
That sounds interesting, any idea what made it different? Being a dealership special I'm guessing it wouldn't have been anything too crazy similar to the Mirage SSI-R.
 
nice work! if you start digging into dealership dress up's you;ll go insane. Ver R, Evo-R, SSi-R, "RalliArt"....heaps of them.

there were also GLi coupes and also 1.8 GLi coupes
not all drop top lancer coupes were MR's, some were 1.8L GLI's


memory dump:

VRX Coupe: 1.5L, manual windows, manual mirrors, black interior plastics with red/blue fleck fabric (like the FTO), full MR kit window frames were left painted body colour, no fogs, rear spoiler. essentially a mash up of leftover MR stuff on a GLi

VRX sedan: 1.8L, manual windows, manual mirrors, black interior plastics with red/blue fleck fabric (like the FTO) or black/grey pattern fabric (like facelift vrx mirage), white face gauges , full lip kit, single opening slat grill, foglights optional, rear spoiler. No MR sedan existed in the AUDM, only GL, GLXi.

CE1 MR Coupe: 1997-98: no front lip, did receive fog lights (triangle style), side skirts, rear pods & spoiler, black door handles, colour coded side mirrors, window frames were painted black. Full black interior plastics w/ blue/black tiger strip interior fabric on seats and doors, cup holders, power mirrors and windows,passenger vanity mirror. black face dials. two piece headlights, evo4 style taillights.

CE2 MR Coupe: 98-00ish: full lip kit all around now, inc front lip, side skirts, rear pods, triangle style foglights, spoiler & colour coded side mirrors & door handles, window frames were painted black. Full black interior plastics, cupholders, power mirrors and windows, full black interior with red/black fleck fabric on seats and doors, passenger vanity mirror, carbon AC surround, white face gauges, single piece headlights, evo5 style flat taillights

CE3 MR Coupe:00-03 (model refresh, biggest changes): facelift update: more rounder front bumper, round foglights and chrome honeycomb grill (the mirages of the same era have the same bumper but with a integrated slat grill), full lip kit all round (sideskirts and rear pods remain unchanged from previous, new front lip to suit new front bar) & colour coded side mirrors & door handles, window frames were painted black. Full Black interior plastics w/ mesh blue fabric on seats. black fabric on door panels. cup holders, carbon AC surround, passenger vanity mirror, white face gauges, single piece headlights, new kinked boot and kinked taillights (same design as previous, just kinked to follow boot).

*all MR coupes were 1.8L 4G93
 
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That sounds interesting, any idea what made it different? Being a dealership special I'm guessing it wouldn't have been anything too crazy similar to the Mirage SSI-R.
Yeah mate, from what I could tell it was pretty much just a sticker pack, a front lip and embraided the seats
 
nice work! if you start digging into dealership dress up's you;ll go insane. Ver R, Evo-R, SSi-R, "RalliArt"....heaps of them.

there were also GLi coupes and also 1.8 GLi coupes
not all drop top lancer coupes were MR's, some were 1.8L GLI's


memory dump:

VRX Coupe: 1.5L, manual windows, manual mirrors, black interior plastics with red/blue fleck fabric (like the FTO), full MR kit window frames were left painted body colour, no fogs, rear spoiler. essentially a mash up of leftover MR stuff on a GLi

VRX sedan: 1.8L, manual windows, manual mirrors, black interior plastics with red/blue fleck fabric (like the FTO) or black/grey pattern fabric (like facelift vrx mirage), white face gauges , full lip kit, single opening slat grill, foglights optional, rear spoiler. No MR sedan existed in the AUDM, only GL, GLXi.

CE1 MR Coupe: 1997-98: no front lip, did receive fog lights (triangle style), side skirts, rear pods & spoiler, black door handles, colour coded side mirrors, window frames were painted black. Full black interior plastics w/ blue/black tiger strip interior fabric on seats and doors, cup holders, power mirrors and windows,passenger vanity mirror. black face dials. two piece headlights, evo4 style taillights.

CE2 MR Coupe: 98-00ish: full lip kit all around now, inc front lip, side skirts, rear pods, triangle style foglights, spoiler & colour coded side mirrors & door handles, window frames were painted black. Full black interior plastics, cupholders, power mirrors and windows, full black interior with red/black fleck fabric on seats and doors, passenger vanity mirror, carbon AC surround, white face gauges, single piece headlights, evo5 style flat taillights

CE3 MR Coupe:00-03 (model refresh, biggest changes): facelift update: more rounder front bumper, round foglights and chrome honeycomb grill (the mirages of the same era have the same bumper but with a integrated slat grill), full lip kit all round (sideskirts and rear pods remain unchanged from previous, new front lip to suit new front bar) & colour coded side mirrors & door handles, window frames were painted black. Full Black interior plastics w/ mesh blue fabric on seats. black fabric on door panels. cup holders, carbon AC surround, passenger vanity mirror, white face gauges, single piece headlights, new kinked boot and kinked taillights (same design as previous, just kinked to follow boot).

*all MR coupes were 1.8L 4G93
Thanks for the info! I actually happened to find a VRX Lancer recently. Seeing the seats and everything else in a strange hybrid between a GLi and MR is what inspired me to make this list, and what I found was that it was did have power mirrors. I fell in love with the fabric pattern on the seats so I took them home and put them in my Mirage!
 

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Have any of you ever seen a CE with a sunroof? I've seen at least one example of a Lancer with it, a 2002 GLi Coupe. Wondering if anyone has any more info.
 
Have any of you ever seen a CE with a sunroof? I've seen at least one example of a Lancer with it, a 2002 GLi Coupe. Wondering if anyone has any more info.
Mine came with one when I bought it 6 years ago, I assume that it's aftermarket though
 

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someone should buy these and upload them



 
someone should buy these and upload them



I may have just bought the Mirage brochure.
 
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Finally had the chance to get a look at a VR-X Mirage today and was interested to discover that unlike MR Lancers, it did not have cupholders, centre console lid or adjustable seat headrests.
 
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Hello everyone, recently I have become interested in researching all the different versions of Lancers and Mirages, as I've found there to be a lot of interesting different versions of both cars. Although I have found it difficult to find more information online on all the lesser-known badges/trims out there. To that end I thought why not make a thread to document them and their features!

Going to try to present the information in a standard format and be as factual as possible, most of this information has been gathered from used car guides online as well as my own adventures and note taking from wreckers. Some of it may be incorrect as I'm still learning this stuff, any corrections are appreciated to get this list as accurate as possible. Will be adding pictures as I acquire them, though some of these are exceptionally hard to find so it may be a long process.

Mirage

Base Mirage (Hatch)
Base CE1 (1996-1999)
The Mirage was introduced in Australia in July 1996. On release it was initially a one model line-up, with one engine choice available - a 69 kW 12-Valve 1.5 Litre 4 Cylinder with either a 5-Speed Manual or optional 4-Speed Automatic. Standard features included grey interior trim, a two speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, cloth trim, a tilt adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser. Optional features included Air-Conditioning, power steering, a Dual Airbag Package and an optional 'power pack' added power steering, a rear window wiper and body-coloured bumpers.

View attachment 8962

Base CE2 (1999-2001)
In August 1999, the range was face lifted and can be identified by its new front bumper which incorporated a single-bar grille and single-piece multi-parabola headlights. There were also new rear tail lights, full wheel covers and the 'Mirage' name was badged across the tailgate. The seat and door trim fabric was also updated from a light blue "triangles" pattern to a slightly different "Triangle/fleck" pattern in grey and blue. It also gained 4 Speakers, a rear window wiper and power steering as standard features. Optional features included air-conditioning, a passenger airbag and body-coloured bumpers.

View attachment 8964

Base Mirage (2001-2003)
In December 2001, the range came with a Drivers Airbag as standard otherwise with all the same optional features as the previous iteration. The seats and door trim fabric were updated again to a darker blue "checkers" pattern. The Mirage continued unchanged until 2003 when production ended to make way for the Z30 Colt.

VR-X Mirage (Hatch)
VR-X CE2 (1999 - 2003)
The VRX variant of the Mirage was released as a limited edition in October 1999. Compared to the standard Mirage, the VRX was distinguished by 14-inch alloy wheels, black interior trim, passenger vanity mirror, power windows, power mirrors, white gauges which also included a tachometer, body-coloured bumpers and body kit (bumper lip, skirts and spoiler) all as standard. The seats and door trim were also changed to a blue "computer circuit" fleck pattern. The VRX joined the line-up permanently in 2000.
*These are pretty hard to find these days, only ever seen 2 examples around Brisbane. I regret not buying them.

View attachment 8910

SSI-R Mirage (1997)
The SSI-R Mirage was differentiated from the standard by black and red SSI-R stickers on the front bumper, tailgate and lower left and right side as well as blue seats embroidered with SSI-R. *As far as I'm aware there were no other differences, unsure of when exactly it was produced or why. I've only ever seen one example of this type.

Lancer

Base GLi Lancer (Coupe/Sedan)
GLi CE1 (1996-2001)
The fifth generation CE Lancer came to Australia alongside the Mirage, which it was derived from, in 1996. The base GLi model originally only featured the same 1.5L engine as the Mirage slaved to the same 5-Speed Manual or 4-Speed Automatic transmission. Standard features included grey interior trim, a two speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, cloth trim, power steering, a tilt adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser. Originally it had light blue "tiger" pattern seats with dark blue door trim and carpets, in 1998 it was updated to a "Triangle/fleck" pattern in grey and blue (same as the CE1 Mirage). The GLi Sedan had grey "digital" pattern seats. Optional features offered were Air-Conditioning, rear spoiler and a Dual Airbag Package.
GLi CE2 (2001-2003)
In 2001 the GLi was facelifted, receiving a new front bumper incorporating a chrome-trimmed insert grille and single-piece multi-parabola headlights. It was also now offered with a 86 kW 16-Valve 1.8 Litre 4 Cylinder 4G93 Engine alongside the 4G15 from previous models. Other standard features included 4 Speakers with a Radio and CD player, Air Conditioning, Tachometer as standard features. It had a dark blue "checkers" seat and door trim pattern (same as the CE2 Mirage). The GLi Sedan had grey "digital" pattern seats. Optional features were ABS (Anti-lock brakes), rear spoiler and a passenger airbag. Owing to Mitsubishi's financial struggles, the lancer Coupe would be discontinued after the final year of production of the CE in 2003.

GLXi Lancer (Coupe/Sedan)
GLXi CE1(1997-2001)
The GLXi is a small step up from the base GLi Lancer with a few additional features. It was offered with either the 1.8L 4G93 or 1.5L 4G15 with either manual or automatic transmission. Standard features were mostly the same as the base GLi including the seat and door trim patterns, but now included cupholders, power mirrors and a driver airbag.
GLXi CE2 (2001-2003)


MR Lancer (Coupe)
MR CE1 (1997-1999)
Unlike the VRX Mirage, which arrived much later to compliment its standard counterpart, the MR badged Lancers were introduced alongside the base GLis in 1996. The MRs all came with the 1.8L 4G83 as standard with either manual or automatic transmission. Standard features were 14-inch alloy wheels, black interior trim, passenger vanity mirror, power mirrors, power windows, cupholders, centre console lid and black-faced gauges including a tachometer. The seats and door fabric featured a blue "tiger stripe" pattern and also had adjustable headrests. Exterior features included side skirts, rear spats, a rear spoiler and fog lights. Optional features included dual airbags and air conditioning.

View attachment 8936

MR CE2 (1999-2001)
The CE2 MR arrived in 1999 with a few minor updates over the CE1. Most notably it now had a bumper lip, which the CE1 lacked, as well as single-piece headlights, white-faced gauges including a tachometer and Evo 5 style tail lights which were now kinked following the lines of a new kinked boot. The interior seat and door fabric trim was also changed to a red "computer circuit" fleck pattern. Everything else remained the same as the previous iteration. Optional features also remained the same as the CE1.

View attachment 8937

MR CE3 (2001-2003)
The final iteration of the MR coupe came around in mid-late 2001 and featured some of the biggest changes, like the facelifted GLis, it received a new front bumper which also came with a new lip to suit, fog lights, as well as the same chrome grille seen on the GLi. The skirts, rear pods and spoiler remained unchanged. The interior pattern was also updated again now with blue "mesh" seats and black door trim fabric. The only optional feature was ABS, as dual airbags and air conditioning were now made standard for all CE3 MRs.

View attachment 8940

VR-X Lancer (Coupe/Sedan)
VR-X CE2 (2001-2003)

The VRX version of the Lancer arrived with the facelift in 2001 as both a coupe and sedan. Standard features were: 14-inch alloy wheels, black interior trim, passenger vanity mirror, power mirrors, white gauges which also included a tachometer, full body kit (bumper lip, skirts, rear spats and a spoiler). The new seats and door trim had red and blue "Lines" as a pattern, identical to the FTO. The sedan had the same seats but plain black plastic trim door cards. Unlike the MR it did not have power windows, cupholders, a centre console lid or adjustable seat headrests. Dual airbags and ABS were also available as the only optional features.

View attachment 8938

SSI-R Lancer (1997
The SSI-R Lancer was differentiated from the standard by black and red SSI-R stickers on the front bumper, tailgate and lower left and right side as well as blue seats embroidered with SSI-R. Essentially just a sticker pack on a regular GLi.

View attachment 8906View attachment 8907


MR Lancer Cabriolet
A good summary. Note though that the orignal MR had 13" inch mag wheels. Also road tests back in the day referred tot he sharper steering and firmer handling of the MR.
 

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