The original Proton Saga had a hot hatch Mitsubishi twin you might have not heard of
CY Foong · Aug 1, 2021 06:00 PM
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When the original Proton Saga was first introduced in 1985, only the sedan variant was initially offered. Though the Mitsubishi Lancer Fiore it was based on did have a hatchback of its own called the Mirage, Proton decided that its hatchback variant would be an original design instead.
Called the Aeroback, the five-door hatchback was meant to give the Saga a sportier look. The additional bodystyle might also be necessary for its success in some overseas markets like the UK which favoured hatchbacks over sedans.
It would take four years for the Saga Aeroback to be launched and there was already speculation by the motoring press that a hatchback Proton was to be introduced back in '85. Called the Mitsubishi Colt overseas (and Plymouth or Dodge in America), the Mitsubishi Mirage would not become a Proton until the Satria was introduced in 1994.
The wheel design on the sedan are definitely familiar
But before all that, the Mirage was simply a compact car with an angular design. The second-generation Mirage was introduced in Japan in 1983 and came with a choice of a 3-door hatchback, a 5-door hatchback, and a sedan.
Lancer Fiore shown
The differences between the Mirage sedan and the Lancer Fiore were mostly visual with the Lancer Fiore sporting different trims and was marketed as a slightly premium model. This sort of confusion would bite Mitsubishi a decade later.
Mitsubishi’s approach to the second-gen Mirage was to create an “energetic casual vehicle” by combining a practical but compact car with variations of high-performance and fuel-efficient engines.
Interesting-looking egg
On Mitsubishi’s Japanese historical page, the Mirage’s angular yet aerodynamic design was apparently inspired by an egg. It’s the 1980s, so the egg that was on the designers’ minds might be covered in 1s and 0s.
Turbo aerodynamics
Yet, the engines offered were certainly wide, ranging from a basic 1.3-litre to a turbocharged 1.6-litre. Mitsubishi even introduced a few aerodynamic enhancements too beginning with the Aero Boy in 1984 and later the 1600 Turbo Aero GT in 1985.
The aerodynamic bodykits were inspired by the race cars that competed in the one-make Mirage Cup competition series that ran from the 1980s to the 1990s in Japan. These aerodynamic versions of the Mirage were mostly just visual mods as the power output remained the same.
A symbol of the eighties down to the wheels
Still, the aerodynamic bodykits were a time capsule of the eighties. The wedge design combined with the widebody fenders and turbo graphics made the 1600 Turbo Aero GT something of an aesthetic fad.
The 1600 Turbo Aero GT was based on the 1600 GSR-T and was powered by a 1.6-litre 4G32T that produced 120 PS and 172 Nm. That didn’t sound like much but combined with the car’s light weight, it had a sharp acceleration and handled quite well too.
Despite that power, the turbocharged Saturn engine was also said to be quite fuel-efficient with a fuel economy of 20.5 km/L or around 4.88 L/100 km. That is better than some cars sold today!
In 1986, the second-gen Mirage received an update and was called the Mirage NOW. Two new variants that targeted female and male buyers called the Marion and the X1X respectively.
The Marion was powered by a 1.3-litre 4G13 Orion engine and was equipped with power steering and air-con as standard. The car was immensely popular with female buyers and at JPY 888,000 (~RM 34k), it was a bargain.
Meanwhile, the X1X was a full-blooded masculine hot hatch, with an eighties sort of style. Powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre as seen in the 1600 GSR-T, the X1X came equipped with parts designed by F.A. Porsche including the steering wheel and the aluminium alloy wheels.
Chan, Jackie Chan
But there is one more special Mirage that appeared in 1986 and it’s a topless one at that. Jackie Chan was a long-time partner with Mitsubishi Motors and a lot of its models appeared in his early films.
One particularly interesting model was used in Armour of God that just looked too futuristic even for its setting. Called the Mirage Spyder, the concept car was based on the 3-door Mirage hatchback and in the film it was a sort of Bond car for Jackie Chan.
The Mirage Spyder almost sported no windshield and was apparently equipped with a television, a telephone, and twin turbos. A few were probably made for the film given Jackie’s propensity to perform his own stunts.
The second-gen Mirage’s production ended in 1987 when it was replaced by the third generation. The newer generation of Mirage would introduce the legendary Cyborg name on the turbocharged models but that’s a story for another day.
An artist's impression of what a Saga hatchback could look like
(Source: Wheels Malaysia, April 1985)
Proton’s decision to design its own hatchback might have something to do with how poor-selling traditional hatchbacks were in Malaysia at the time. However, can you imagine an alternate universe when Proton made a hot hatch in the 1980s?
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
