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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MR Lancer Cabriolet
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MR Lancer Cabriolet
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