Faceless micro cars at low prices are no longer enough today. Minis have to be chic and also offer comfort as inexpensive city cars. Why Mitsubishi polished the Space Star with a large grill, chrome and piano lacquer, but above all with a new infotainment range and better driving characteristics.
The Space Star costs a nominal 1.000 to 1.500 euros more if it rolls into the German dealer showrooms this month. But until the end of August, the 3,80 meter short five-door car will be offered at a discount of 2.000 euros. There is the 52 kW / 71 hp Space Star 1.0 from 7.990 euros, which makes it one of the cheapest new cars at the automotive base. Since discount campaigns have long been an integral part of Mitsubishi marketing, the regular starting price of 9.990 euros for the Space Star is likely to remain a paper tiger even after the launch campaign has ended. A five-year guarantee is always included.
Instead of a friendly, but not very distinctive front, the Japanese-made Japanese man now shows his teeth made of wire mesh through a chrome-rimmed large grille. There is also a voluminous front bumper with chrome insert and a bulging bonnet. In addition to new lights, there is also a more powerful bumper at the rear.
The changes in the upgraded interior of the Space Star are small but just as effective. Higher quality seat fabrics, new, more grippy steering wheel, plastic cladding instead of bare sheet metal. Especially if it is one of the two higher features Plus or Top, for which at least 2.000 euros surcharge are due compared to the baseline. By the way, the basis means that there is no start-stop system, no luggage compartment cover and central locking.
Features such as the underfloor compartment in the luggage compartment, modern digital radio and an infotainment system that connects to smartphones are more important. Apps can be operated via the touchscreen or voice control and with tom-tom navigation the mobile shopping basket is equipped for shopping tours in the big city.
There he can play best despite an increase in length of nine centimeters of maneuverability (only 9,2 meter turning circle) and clarity. The suspension, fine-tuned for the facelift, properly potholes and potholes away. Even with sharp turns, the agile little one has no problem. Only when driving on the highway does the Mitsubishi show that tots have other core competencies.
To be one of the largest city cars, four extra wide opening doors, five seats (the middle rear seat is only an emergency seat) and 235 to 912 liters of luggage space for bulk purchases with a usable total interior length of 2,40 meters are sufficient. There are no changes to the engines. The 1,0- and 1,2-liter three-cylinder, with standard values of 4,0 to 4,3 liters of petrol per 100 kilometers, have already been among the kings.
Author: Wolfram Nickel / SP-X