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Mitsubishi Carisma Hatchback 1.6 (90 Hp) Automatic
Overall Rating
Mitsubishi Carisma:
The Mitsubishi Carisma is a small family car that was produced for the European market by Mitsubishi Motors from 1995 to 2004.
The model name was derived from a combination of the English car and the Greek kharisma, meaning "divine gift". It was co-developed with Volvo, sharing its chassis with the first generation of the Volvo S40, and built at the NedCar factory in Born, Netherlands, which the two companies co-owned at the time. Over 350,000 were built during its production run. Volume production begun in May 1995 with sales starting in The Netherlands in June. The four-door saloon sales started the following year....(Read more on Wikipedia)
Hatchback Overview:
Mitsubishi Carisma (Hatchback). With 137 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~11 l/100km). Weighing only 1105 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 14.3 s). The top speed reaches 180 km/h. A compact car with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the cargo area. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Mitsubishi Carisma achieved a 3-star Euro NCAP rating in 1998, which was an average performance for its time, indicating reasonable but not outstanding adult occupant protection.
1.6 (90 Hp) Automatic Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The weakest option, with the automatic transmission further hindering already modest performance, resulting in very slow acceleration.
Fuel Economy
Poor fuel economy for its power output, suffering from the inefficiencies of the older automatic gearbox.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Wide range of efficient GDI petrol and DI-D diesel engines available.
- • Comfortable ride quality and a spacious interior for its class.
- • Generally reliable, especially the non-GDI petrol engines.
- • Offers good value on the used car market due to being often overlooked.
- • Practical hatchback body style with decent boot space.
Cons:
- • Base engines can feel underpowered, particularly with automatic transmissions.
- • GDI engines may require specific maintenance to prevent carbon build-up issues.
- • Interior styling is somewhat bland and lacks character compared to rivals.
- • Automatic transmissions significantly impact both performance and fuel economy.
- • Euro NCAP safety rating of 3 stars was only average for its time.
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Carisma: 1995 - 2000).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Mitsubishi |
| Model: | Carisma |
| Generation: | Hatchback |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.6 (90 Hp) Automatic |
| Start of production: | 1996 |
| End of production: | 2000 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Hatchback |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 90 Hp @ 5500 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 56.4 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 137 Nm @ 4000 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 1597 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | OHC |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 81 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 77.5 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 10:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 11 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 6.8 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 8 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 14.3 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 14.3 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 180 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 12.3 kg/Hp, 81.4 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 8.1 kg/Nm, 124 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 13.6 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1105 |
| Max. weight: | 1630 |
| Max load: | 525 |
| Trunk (boot) space - maximum: | 660 l |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 440 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 60 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4450 mm mm [15mm more] |
| Width: | 1710 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1405 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2550 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1455 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1475 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Front brakes | Disc |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 185/65 R14 |
| Wheel rims size | 14 |
| Front suspension | Spring Strut |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
Fuel, speed, and comfort: How does the Mitsubishi Carisma rank in your book?