Short test: Mitsubishi Space Star ClearTec 1.2 Intense
The refurbishment mainly affected the exterior, where a lot of chrome and some protective plastic were added and the Space Star was significantly updated and enriched. The city car's brighter shapes certainly come to the fore when paired with vibrant colors, and the test car's orange metallic color certainly doesn't disappoint. The design balance is somewhat disturbed by the relatively small wheels that are lost on the "inflated" body, so the impression of sportiness is caused by a large spoiler at the rear, which is present not only for reasons of beauty, but also improves aerodynamics. which affects fuel consumption.
The Space Star tested had a 1,2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine that, with 80 horsepower, is nine horsepower more powerful than the only alternative, a 6,1-liter three-cylinder. I passed the test with a relatively passable average consumption of 4,9 liters, but at a normal consumption of 900 liters it showed that it can also be quite economical. This is certainly facilitated by the car's low weight, which does not reach XNUMX kilograms, and greatly facilitates the operation of the engine. The engine, however, cannot hide the fact that it doesn't have any boost in the form of turbochargers, so it needs a little nudge for liveliness and often downshifts.
Space Star doesn't really want to go through corners quickly as the body tilts a lot and the steering wheel also lacks precision. The chassis, on the other hand, mitigates road bumps quite well, but the Space Star stands out especially in urban environments where it shines with a relatively tight turning radius, engine responsiveness coupled with a reasonably accurate five-speed gearbox, and ample visibility.
What about comfort? Mitsubishi Space Star is a fairly roomy car, there will be no problems with the seats, the seats are also high enough for a comfortable fit, and the trunk is somewhere average. The driver seems to be the worst cared for, especially if they are tall, as the seats don't allow for enough movement, and tall seats may not have enough headroom either. The Space Star is pretty well equipped, although the worst part is that it's not exactly a junior machine. For example, it has a rather old-fashioned radio that allows for hands-free calling, but requires a lot of fiddling through opaque menus and clear English expression since many features are only available with voice commands.
So the Mitsubishi SpaceStar could – especially when combined with a relatively affordable price tag – be a solid alternative to competitors that are in many cases much more up-to-date generational change products this year and mostly in line with the latest infotainment technology not found in the Space Star. there is also.
final grade
The Mitsubishi Space Star is a solid product, but it's also too "global car" to really fit into Europe's automotive environment.
text: Matija Janežić
photo: Sasha Kapetanovich
Mitsubishi Space Star ClearTec 1.2 Intensive
Basic data
| Base model price: | 10.990 € |
|---|---|
| Test model cost: | 14.340 € |
Costs (per year)
Technical information
| engine: | Engine: 3-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - displacement 1.193 cm3 - maximum power 59 kW (80 hp) at 6.000 rpm - maximum torque 106 Nm at 4.000 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | engine-driven front wheels - 5-speed manual transmission - tires 175/55 R 15 V (Yokohama Blue Earth A34). |
| Capacity: | 180 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration 11,7 s - Combined average fuel consumption (ECE) 4,3 l/100 km, CO emissions 100 g/km^2 |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 845 kg - permissible gross weight 1.340 kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 3.795 mm – width 1.665 mm – height 1.505 mm – wheelbase 2.450 mm – trunk 235–912 35 l – fuel tank XNUMX l. |
We praise and reproach
space and comfort
adroitness
engine and transmission
workload of the driver's workplace
hull tilt
imprecise steering wheel
