Mitsubishi Carisma

Mitsubishi Carisma: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Mitsubishi Carisma catalogue data covers one sedan generation in two phases: the original model from October 1995 to October 1999, with 17 listed modifications, and the restyling from November 1999 to October 2004, with 24. The sensible choice depends on priorities.

The Mitsubishi Carisma catalogue data covers one sedan generation in two phases: the original model from October 1995 to October 1999, with 17 listed modifications, and the restyling from November 1999 to October 2004, with 24. The sensible choice depends on priorities. The 1.6 MT versions are the straightforward gasoline options, the 1.8 MT versions deliver stronger performance, and the restyled 1.9 MT diesels provide the lowest measured combined consumption. For maximum acceleration, the original 140 hp 1.8 MT reaches 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds; for minimum measured fuel use, either restyled 1.9 MT records 5.5 l/100 km combined.

Mitsubishi Carisma generations: what changed?

The original 1 generation ran from October 1995 through October 1999 as a Sedan, with 17 modifications in the catalogue. The supplied selection includes 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT gasoline versions, several 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT gasoline versions, and a 1.9 MT turbo-diesel. Outputs range from 90 to 140 hp. Its quickest listed version is the 140 hp 1.8 MT, while measured combined consumption ranges from 6.7 to 7.4 l/100 km among versions with complete economy figures.

The 1 generation, restyling ran from November 1999 through October 2004, remained a Sedan, and contains 24 catalogue modifications. Its supplied selection broadens the choice with a 1.3 MT, several 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT versions, multiple 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT versions, and two 1.9 MT turbo-diesels. Outputs span 82–125 hp. Compared with the original phase, the restyled range gives up the original 140 hp performance peak but adds the 102 and 115 hp diesels, both rated at 5.5 l/100 km combined.

Mitsubishi Carisma engine and transmission specs

Every supplied version is FWD with a front, transverse, Inline 4-cylinder engine. Gasoline engines have 4 valves per cylinder and No boost; diesel engines have 2 valves per cylinder and Turbo boost. Repeated names are distinguished below by power and, where necessary, catalogue phase.

Power per litre clarifies the engine hierarchy. The original 140 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT produce about 76.3 hp per litre, the highest figure in the supplied data. The restyled 125 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT deliver about 68.2 hp per litre, while the restyled 115 hp 1.9 MT develops about 61.5 hp per litre. The 1.3 MT produces about 63.1 hp per litre.

Mitsubishi Carisma performance and fuel economy

The manual gearbox generally buys measurable acceleration where a directly comparable automatic exists. In the restyled 122 hp 1.8 pair, 1.8 MT reaches 100 km/h 2.0 seconds sooner than 1.8 AT and uses 1.1 l/100 km less combined. In the original 116 hp pair, 1.8 MT is 1.8 seconds quicker and consumes 0.4 l/100 km less combined. Among the restyled 99 hp 1.6 versions, 1.6 MT is 0.7 seconds quicker and saves 1.2 l/100 km combined over 1.6 AT.

Mitsubishi Carisma dimensions, weight and wheel specs

No exterior length, width, or height measurements are present in the supplied data, so Mitsubishi Carisma dimensions are not measured here. Wheel sizes are also not measured for every listed version.

All versions have a 60-litre fuel tank. Ground clearance is 150 mm except for the restyled 99 hp 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT, which have 155 mm. Kerb weights range from 1080 kg for the original 90 hp 1.6 MT and the restyled 90 hp 1.6 MT to 1270 kg for the original 90 hp 1.6 MT with measured consumption. Gross weights range from 1610 to 1775 kg where recorded.

Some kerb weights are not measured: the restyled 90 hp 1.6 AT, restyled 122 hp 1.8 AT, original 116 hp 1.8 AT, and original 90 hp 1.6 AT. The original 140 hp 1.8 AT has a kerb weight of 1200 kg, but its gross weight is not measured.

Weight per horsepower favors the original 140 hp 1.8 MT at about 8.4 kg/hp, calculated from 1175 kg and 140 hp. The original 125 hp 1.8 MT follows at about 9.1 kg/hp, while the restyled 125 hp 1.8 MT is also about 9.1 kg/hp. At the other end, the original 90 hp 1.6 MT weighing 1270 kg carries about 14.1 kg/hp.

Which Mitsubishi Carisma version should you buy?

Choose the original 1.8 MT with 140 hp when acceleration is the priority. Its 9.2-second 0–100 km/h time and 215 km/h top speed lead the supplied catalogue, and its measured 6.7 l/100 km combined consumption matches the original 116 hp 1.8 MT despite an extra 24 hp. It also improves the power-to-weight calculation from about 9.7 kg/hp in the 116 hp car to about 8.4 kg/hp.

Choose the restyled 1.9 MT with 115 hp when economy and torque matter together. It produces 265 Nm at 1800 rpm, reaches 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds, and records 5.5 l/100 km combined. Against the restyled 102 hp 1.9 MT, it adds 13 hp and 50 Nm, cuts acceleration time by 1.5 seconds, raises top speed by 5 km/h, and retains the same measured combined consumption.

Choose the restyled 1.3 MT for the lowest-capacity gasoline option with complete economy data. It records 6.4 l/100 km combined, 0.9 l/100 km less than the restyled 99 hp 1.6 MT, but needs 2.0 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h and has a top speed 15 km/h lower.

Choose a 1.6 MT rather than its matching 1.6 AT when the supplied performance and economy figures are decisive. The strongest documented comparison is the restyled 99 hp pair: the Manual, 5-speed version is quicker and more economical than the Automatic, 4-speed version. The automatic remains a distinct transmission choice, but the data does not attach any price figure to it, so no claim about extra cost or value can be made.

For a gasoline balance, the original 116 hp 1.8 MT is notable: 10.2 seconds to 100 km/h, 200 km/h, and 6.7 l/100 km combined. The restyled 122 hp 1.8 MT adds 6 hp and 12 Nm but is 0.2 seconds slower and uses 0.3 l/100 km more combined. The catalogue numbers therefore favor the original 116 hp car for measured economy, while the restyled 122 hp car provides the higher output figure.

No prices, sale listings, reliability records, problem reports, engine-swap information, or maintenance costs are included in the supplied data. A buying decision on condition or long-term reliability therefore cannot be made from this catalogue alone; those items are not measured.