Mitsubishi Carisma 1.6 Comfort
However, can we at least approximately establish criteria or benchmarks so that the assessments of different people are at least approximately comparable? Of course, we will try to set benchmarks in the world of cars - after all, we are just a car magazine.
And where is it better to start than with a car that already bears comfort in its name: Mitsubishi Carisma 1.6 Comfort (comfort in translation from English means comfort). The ability to overcome bumps, waves and similar bumps with which Slovenian roads are full speaks volumes about driving comfort. The chassis must always effectively absorb all types of wheel impact, regardless of the load on the vehicle. Carisma cuts very well (even without the Comfort set). Otherwise, a comfortable chassis will satisfy less demanding drivers who also expect their car to be ready to race on country roads and their corners, but this time the car's dynamism is at the service of comfort.
Comfort also includes the overall well-being of passengers and the driver. The latter is mainly influenced by the comfortable seats, the amount of space in the car, the soundproofing of the cabin, as well as the number and size of storage space. The front and rear seats are soft enough, but on the other hand, they are still stable in the lateral area to keep the bodies of the front passengers in place, while the driver can adjust the lumbar support for an even more relaxed ride. But the driver will most likely be bothered by the soft accelerator pedal, due to which his right foot will be especially tired when driving in the city and in general, while observing the rules (to maintain speed, you need to keep your leg elevated).
Due to the rather high seats, people who are especially tall (over 180 cm) will not have enough space in height. But there is definitely enough space in the trunk. There, in addition to the basic 430 liters of beautifully designed luggage compartment, you can also use the third folding rear bench seat, which will provide you with 1150 liters of luggage space with a fully flat bottom when the entire bench is folded. However, due to the rather flat glass of the trunk lid, the ceiling is low. The luggage compartment's relatively good usability holds true in the cabin, where we find ample (open and closed) storage space, among which the most disappointing storage pockets are on the front door. In the latter, despite the magnification, we can place a map or similar "paper" objects, which are mostly narrow in shape.
It's the same with good soundproofing of the cabin, which is not omnipotent. An unfilled hole reflects slightly worse engine noise retention above 4250 rpm. But don't be alarmed; the noise level is indeed more noticeable, but is still in the acceptable decibel range.
Well, if passengers and their luggage feel good on the road, then this does not apply to more active drivers. During cornering, the Carisma leans more noticeably, and slightly poorer handling and positioning also contribute to the final impression. Some of these features can be attributed to "economy" shoes (see Specifications), but due to the soft (and comfortable) chassis, the body still tilts noticeably in corners. You can also say: you are gaining something, you are losing something.
It's the same with the 1-liter engine used in Carisma's tests. It does not go very fast, but steady and constant acceleration throughout the engine speed range is very valuable in day-to-day driving.
Engine economy is also very important in modern cars. Mitsubishi was the first car manufacturer to introduce a gasoline engine with direct injection into the combustion chamber in a modern high-volume vehicle (Carismi) and received the abbreviation GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection). This, of course, mainly reduces fuel consumption, but the latter in the Carisma test with a 1-liter gasoline engine without a GDI system (!!) averaged a perfectly acceptable 6 liters of unleaded gasoline per hundred kilometers. With economical driving, it could be even a liter less, but did not exceed 8 liters per 5 kilometers. Very encouraging numbers showing Mitsubishi engine engineers exclusively in bright light.
Quite a lot of the gray hair was caused by the fuel gauge not being accurate enough at the bottom (next to the fuel stock). Thus, it happened to us that the fuel gauge indicator with the fuel bulb not yet turned on, which was working reliably, showed a completely empty tank, while the trip computer also showed a number well over 100 kilometers.
A comfortable and therefore soft-tuned chassis is not the best choice for cornering, but potential buyers of the charismatic Mitsubishi are not too worried about it. The latter will certainly place a much greater stake on the fuel economy of the 1-liter engine, driving comfort and overall well-being. Mitsubishi has taken good care of these elements, with the exception of slightly repositioned front seats and overly soft accelerator pedals.
He also took care of the bargain price, which, in addition to the comfort of an economical ride, also includes a semi-automatic air conditioning, radio, 4 front airbags, ABS brakes and reasonably good workmanship. A car package that is in its final form at the end of its life cycle is also a good buy for a new car because of its many good and some bad characteristics.
Peter Humar
Photo: Aleš Pavletič.
Mitsubishi Carisma 1.6 Comfort
Basic data
| Sales: | AC KONIM doo |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 14.746,44 € |
| Test model cost: | 14.746,44 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 76 kW (103 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 12,4 with |
| Maximum speed: | 185 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 7,3l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - transverse front mounted - bore and stroke 81,0 × 77,5 mm - displacement 1597 cm3 - compression 10,0:1 - maximum power 76 kW (103 hp .) at 6000 rpm - maximum torque 141 Nm at 4500 rpm - crankshaft in 5 bearings - 1 camshaft in the head (timing belt) - 4 valves per cylinder - electronic multipoint injection and electronic ignition - liquid cooling 6,0 .3,8 l - engine oil XNUMX l - variable catalyst |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | engine-driven front wheels - 5-speed manual transmission - gear ratio I. 3,363; II. 1,863 hours; III. 1,321 hours; IV. 0,966; V. 0,794; rear 3,545 - differential 4,066 - tires 195/60 R 15 H |
| Capacity: | top speed 185 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 12,4 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 10,0 / 5,8 / 7,3 l / 100 km (unleaded gasoline, elementary school 95) |
| Transportation and suspension: | door, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, spring legs, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear single suspension, spring supports, double wishbones, longitudinal rails, stabilizer - two-wheel brakes, front disc (forced cooling), rear power steering disc, ABS, EBD - rack and pinion steering, power steering |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1200 kg - permissible total weight 1705 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake 1200 kg, without brake 500 kg - permissible roof load 80 kg |
| External dimensions: | length 4475 mm - width 1710 mm - height 1405 mm - wheelbase 2550 mm - track front 1475 mm - rear 1470 mm - driving radius 10,4 m |
| Inner dimensions: | length 1600 mm - width 1430/1420 mm - height 950-970 / 910 mm - longitudinal 880-1100 / 920-660 mm - fuel tank 60 l |
| Box: | (normal) 430-1150 l |
Our measurements
| T = 10 ° C, p = 1018 mbar, rel. vl. = 86%, Odometer condition: 9684 km, Tires: Continental, ContiEcoContact | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 11,9s |
|---|---|
| 1000m from the city: | 33,5 years ( 154 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 14,2 (IV.) S |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 20 (W) p |
| Maximum speed: | 188km / h (V.) |
| Minimum consumption: | 7,9l / 100km |
| test consumption: | 8,5 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 130 km / h: | 75,8m |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 43,9m |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear | 59dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear | 59dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear | 58dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear | 64dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear | 63dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear | 63dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear | 69dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear | 68dB |
| Test errors: | inaccurate fuel gauge |
evaluation
Mitsubishi's Carisma, coupled with the 1,6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, makes a good and bargain buy in terms of standard trim levels. It is true that it also has some drawbacks, but these are overshadowed by the good features that charismatic Carism customers will appreciate.
We praise and reproach
chassis comfort
good front seats
soundproofing
numerous repositories
flexible and large
fuel consumption
price
position and appeal
highly placed
front seats
too soft pedal for
slim front pockets
measurement inaccuracy
