The award-winning Mirage for 1999 gains a host of new or improved equipment, but will still sell from $13,990 with manual transmission or $15,730 for the automatic.

The 1998 pricing is maintained despite the inclusion of multi-parabola headlights, revised rear end treatment, a new front bumper design, full wheel covers and a rear window wiper and washer.

Inside the stylish hatch, rated best in class by many influential organisations and motoring experts, there’s a new ambience with bright trim material and a four-speaker radio and CD player for enhanced audio quality.

There are also three new exterior colours: Iris Blue, Nares Blue and Timber Green.

The spacious, wide-tracked Mirage, built on the same floorpan as the rally-winning Lancer coupe, is selling in record numbers, with sales nearly 15 per cent up on last year.

Launched in July 1996, at the same time as the CE Lancer range, Mirage has been well accepted for its class-leading interior space, its Japanese build quality and its zippy 1.5 litre engine. Its distinctive rear end profile has endeared it to younger consumers, with over half of them living within a 40 kilometre radius of capital city GPOs.

Mirage is now quickly becoming a cult car, carving out its own niche between the bargain basement drive aways and the higher priced small cars.

Since its introduction Mirage has won the Best Small Car awards from the Royal Automobile Clubs of Queensland and Tasmania, the NRMA and the Brisbane Courier Mail in 1996 and 1997, and Best Mini Car in 1996 and Best Small Car in 1997 from the Sydney Morning Herald.

For ‘99 the front end treatment is more distinctive with a new front bumper design which incorporates a single bar grille and new multi-parabola headlamps.

From the rear Mirage has a revised rear combination lamp treatment, and the "Mirage" name spelt out across the tailgate in bright letters, while the new design full wheel covers (replacing the half cap) enhance the side profile of the car.

The tailgate wiper/washer which was previously part of the optional "Power Pack" is now standard, and three new external colours have been added to the range - Iris Blue replaces Miami Green, Nares Blue replaces Icecell Blue, and Timber Green has been added.

Inside, the cabin has a new ambience with bright new trim material, while young owners will appreciate the new radio/single CD unit which is now standard (and replaces the previous radio/cassette unit). The sound system is further enhanced by the addition of two extra speakers in the rear, now making it a four-speaker system.

"Although Mirage is already running 14% ahead of last year’s sales year-to-date, the new features are sure to drive sales even higher," Mitsubishi’s deputy managing director of sales operations, Garry Moore said.

Combined Lancer and Mirage are expected to drive Mitsubishi’s total small car volume to an all-time record of around 30,000 units in 1998. This will be 38% up on the 1997 level of 21,700 and a massive 140% up on 1996’s 12,500 units when the new CE Lancer and Mirage range were first introduced.