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Make book on it that Mitsubishi Motors’ American- built 1993 Mirage is going to be no mirage when it gets to Indianapolis dealer showrooms.

Due sometime late this month or in early September, the automobile is a new design from the ground up. Mitsubishi is offering both a sports-oriented coupe and a family-oriented sedan.

Mitsubishi’s management is taking a gung-ho run at the subcompact market with these two new cars. Adopting the philosophy of something for everybody, there is a Mirage S, ES, and top-of-the-line LS. The three versions are designed to attract buyers ranging from young singles to young families who need a little more room and comfort.

“We were supposed to get them by the end of July,” said Jim Pollard, vice president and general manager of Collins Mitsubishi. “But now they tell me our allocations are going to be on the 10th (of August), so it probably will be around the middle of August or so before we get them.

“They make them over in Bloomington-Normal (Ill.), so it doesn’t take but a couple of days to get here.”

Dennis Huxley, general manager of Dave Mason Mitsubishi, is looking for the cars the last week of August or the first week of September.

“I’ve generally found that when I get an allocation it takes two weeks before I get the cars,” he said. “But I’m hoping they’re going to push that up, because I have no ’92s left.”

3 versions to share name

On the way are the three versions of the Mirage that share a common name, different model designations, and different specifications.

All are front-wheel drive, but the entry-level S series is given a smaller engine than the midlevel ES and upscale LS. There also is a size differential between a two-door coupe and the four-door sedan.

The wheelbase on the coupe is 96.1 inches. On the four-door it is 98.4. The differential in wheelbase also translates into a difference in overall length, with the coupe being the shorter of the two models.

Here the coupe’s length is 171.1 inches vs. 172.2 inches for the sedan.

The coupe is new to the lineup, replacing a predecessor hatchback Mirage. “What makes it nice for us,” Pollard said, “was that we sold mostly four-doors. But the factory says this coupe is really what’s going to be a super-seller.”

Even though it’s a subcompact, Mitsubishi lists the coupe as a five-passenger. At that wheelbase and length, however, two passengers in the back seat are likely to be more comfortable than three.

LS has rear spoiler

In the upstream LS coupe, styling touches include a standard rear spoiler, five-spoke alloy wheels, and color- keyed exterior trim.

Among all three models of coupe and sedan there is an offering of automatic transmissions. There is an optional three-speed automatic available in ES and LS levels of the coupe and the S sedan, but not in the S coupe. Here the transmission is a five-speed manual.

For the ES and LS sedan only, the maker has an optional four-speed automatic or the standard five-spee d gearbox.

Mitsubishi also has in its product mix a pair of single-overhead-cam, four-cylinder engines. The 1.5-liter engine has three valves per cylinder (two intake and one exhaust), while the 1.8-liter motor goes to two valves per cylinder (two intake and two exhaust).

Mitsubishi also has in its product mix a pair of single-overhead-cam, four-cylinder engines. The 1.5-liter engine has three valves per cylinder (two intake and one exhaust), while the 1.8-liter motor goes to two valves per cylinder (two intake and two exhaust).

It is well to keep in mind that both of these power plants are relatively small, hence there is not a ton of horsepower available, even in 16-valve form. However, the cars are fairly light, ranging from 2,083 pounds for an S coupe to 2,337 pounds for an LS sedan with an automatic.

The 1.5-liter motor actually isn’t a full 91.5 cubic inches, displacing 89.5 cubic inches. But its 92 horsepower still exceeds the performance benchmark of one hors epower for 1 cubic inch of engine displacement. With the coupe’s light weight and a five-speed gearbox, there should be some pretty zippy performance characteristics.

The upstream cars with the 1.8-liter engine (111.8 cubic inches) have 113 horsepower at hand. Both engines have been available in the ’93 Mirage’s predecessor, with the 1.5- liter coming out of the ’92 Mirage hatchback. The 1.8-liter was offered in the ’92 Expo LRV wagon.

Stylewise, the new Mirages are a quantum leap over the ’92 version, which Huxley describes as “rather boxy.”

There is a definite move toward more aerodynamic flow, with the design philosophy of the coupe being to develop a sporty appearance that will appeal to entry- level buyers. The sedan reflects a more conservative shape designed to appeal to buyers seeking the comfort and convenience of four doors.

Both forms exhibit good aerodynamic efficiency, with the coupe having a co-efficient of drag of 0.29. For the sedan it is 0.31.

Interior angles eliminated

The aerodynamic theme also is carried into the interior for an uncluttered cabin environment that is free of angles.

Mitsubishi still has not posted prices on the automobiles. However, a modest price rise is expected in keeping with the auto industry’s trend for 1993 models.

“I’m speculating it’s going to be about an $800 rise,” Huxley said. “If it is, say, $800, you’ll be looking at about $9,000 for a base four-door with a five- speed. You can go on up from there for an LS four-door with automatic to about $11,800.”