Mitsuoka Ray: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Mitsuoka Ray version to choose depends mainly on whether you value low kerb weight, higher engine output, Automatic convenience, or AWD. Every Ray listed here is a Mini 5-doors model with a naturally aspirated 657 cc Gasoline inline 3-cylinder engine, but the specifications vary considerably.
The Mitsuoka Ray version to choose depends mainly on whether you value low kerb weight, higher engine output, Automatic convenience, or AWD. Every Ray listed here is a Mini 5-doors model with a naturally aspirated 657 cc Gasoline inline 3-cylinder engine, but the specifications vary considerably. The lightest documented versions weigh 635 kg, the most powerful produces 58 hp, and the first generation is the only one offering Manual and AWD configurations. The second generation instead narrows the range to two FWD Automatic versions.
Mitsuoka Ray generations compared
The first-generation Mitsuoka Ray was produced from November 1996 through August 1999. It has a Mini 5-doors body and six listed versions. These include both 0.7 MT and 0.7 AT choices, FWD and AWD, outputs of 52 hp or 55 hp, and ground clearance of either 150 mm or 160 mm. This is the generation to consider if Manual transmission or AWD is essential. A buyer searching for a 1997 Mitsuoka Ray would be looking within this generation.
The second-generation Mitsuoka Ray was produced from September 1999 through May 2005. It also uses a Mini 5-doors body, but the catalogue lists only two versions, both named 0.7 AT and both with FWD. They must be distinguished by output: one develops 46 hp and uses a 3-speed Automatic, while the other develops 58 hp and uses a 4-speed Automatic. Both have 160 mm of ground clearance and a 30-litre tank.
Mitsuoka Ray engine and transmission specs
Because several configurations share the same version name, power, gearbox and drive are needed to identify them correctly.
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 0.7 AT, 52 hp | 52 hp (38 kW) at 7000 rpm | 56 Nm at 4500 rpm | 657 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 3, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation 0.7 MT, 52 hp, FWD, 150 mm clearance | 52 hp (38 kW) at 7000 rpm | 56 Nm at 4500 rpm | 657 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 0.7 MT, 52 hp, AWD | 52 hp (38 kW) at 7000 rpm | 56 Nm at 4500 rpm | 657 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| First generation 0.7 AT, 55 hp | 55 hp (40 kW) at 7500 rpm | 60 Nm at 4500 rpm | 657 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 3, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation 0.7 MT, 52 hp, FWD, 160 mm clearance | 52 hp (38 kW) at 7000 rpm | 56 Nm at 4000 rpm | 657 cc | not measured | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 0.7 AT, 52 hp, 4-speed | 52 hp (38 kW) at 7000 rpm | 56 Nm at 4000 rpm | 657 cc | not measured | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 0.7 AT, 46 hp | 46 hp (34 kW) at 5800 rpm | 57 Nm at 4500 rpm | 657 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 3, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 0.7 AT, 58 hp | 58 hp (43 kW) at 7600 rpm | 64 Nm at 400 rpm | 657 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
All versions have four valves per cylinder and no boost. Where specified, the first-generation engine is Front, transverse. Its documented fuel-system choices are Carburetor for the 52 hp versions with 150 mm clearance and Distributed injection (multi-point) for the 55 hp AWD version. The 58 hp second-generation version also has Distributed injection (multi-point). Fuel-system information for the remaining versions is not measured.
On output per litre, calculated from the shared 657 cc displacement, the 46 hp version produces approximately 70.0 hp per litre. The 52 hp versions produce approximately 79.1 hp per litre, the 55 hp version approximately 83.7 hp per litre, and the 58 hp version approximately 88.3 hp per litre. The 58 hp 0.7 AT therefore has the highest specific output in the catalogue.
Mitsuoka Ray performance, mpg and economy
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for any listed Mitsuoka Ray version. Top speed is also not measured for any version. City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption and combined fuel consumption are not measured throughout the range, so an mpg figure cannot be calculated from the supplied data. CO2 output and emissions class are likewise not measured.
The available engine figures still allow a useful comparison. The second-generation 58 hp 0.7 AT has 12 hp more than the second-generation 46 hp 0.7 AT, an increase of about 26.1%. Its 64 Nm output is 7 Nm higher than the 46 hp version’s 57 Nm. However, the stronger model is also 135 kg heavier: 770 kg instead of 635 kg.
That weight difference changes the power-to-weight picture. The 46 hp 0.7 AT carries approximately 13.8 kg per horsepower, while the 58 hp 0.7 AT carries approximately 13.3 kg per horsepower. The 58 hp car retains the better ratio, but the advantage is much smaller than its 12 hp output increase alone suggests.
Among first-generation cars with documented kerb weights, the 635 kg 0.7 MT with 52 hp has approximately 12.2 kg per horsepower. The 645 kg 0.7 AT with 52 hp has approximately 12.4 kg per horsepower. The 685 kg AWD 0.7 MT with 52 hp has approximately 13.2 kg per horsepower, while the 695 kg AWD 0.7 AT with 55 hp has approximately 12.6 kg per horsepower. Kerb weight for the first-generation 52 hp 4-speed 0.7 AT is not measured, so its weight-per-horsepower figure cannot be calculated.
Dimensions, weight and practical specifications
| Generation and exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 0.7 AT, 52 hp, 3-speed FWD | 645 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 30 litres | not measured |
| First generation 0.7 MT, 52 hp, FWD, 150 mm clearance | 635 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 30 litres | not measured |
| First generation 0.7 MT, 52 hp, AWD | 685 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 30 litres | not measured |
| First generation 0.7 AT, 55 hp, AWD | 695 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 30 litres | not measured |
| First generation 0.7 MT, 52 hp, FWD, 160 mm clearance | 635 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 30 litres | not measured |
| First generation 0.7 AT, 52 hp, 4-speed FWD | not measured | not measured | 160 mm | 30 litres | not measured |
| Second generation 0.7 AT, 46 hp | 635 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 30 litres | not measured |
| Second generation 0.7 AT, 58 hp | 770 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 30 litres | not measured |
Gross weight and wheel sizes are not measured for any version. Every listed car has a 30-litre tank. Ground clearance improves from 150 mm on four early configurations to 160 mm on the two other first-generation configurations and both second-generation versions.
All versions use Independent, spring front suspension, front Disc brakes and rear Drum brakes. The first-generation 150 mm-clearance cars have Semi-independent, spring rear suspension. The first-generation 160 mm-clearance cars use Dependent, spring rear suspension. In the second generation, the 46 hp 0.7 AT has Dependent, spring rear suspension, whereas the 58 hp 0.7 AT has Semi-independent, torsion rear suspension.
Mitsuoka Ray reliability and problems
Reliability records, failure rates, maintenance costs and model-specific problems are not measured in the supplied data. The specifications therefore do not support claims that one Ray engine, transmission or generation is more reliable than another. A Mitsuoka Ray for sale should be assessed on its individual condition and history, but those details are also not measured here.
Which Mitsuoka Ray version should you choose?
For the best documented weight-to-power result, choose the first-generation 0.7 MT with 52 hp, FWD and a 635 kg kerb weight. It carries approximately 12.2 kg per horsepower, uses a 5-speed Manual and is 10 kg lighter than the equivalent documented 52 hp 3-speed 0.7 AT. Two 635 kg Manual configurations are listed: the 150 mm-clearance car has Carburetor fuel delivery, while fuel-system data for the 160 mm-clearance car is not measured.
For AWD, the choice is confined to the first generation. The 52 hp 0.7 MT weighs 685 kg and has a 5-speed Manual; the 55 hp 0.7 AT weighs 695 kg and has a 3-speed Automatic. The Automatic version adds 3 hp and 4 Nm while adding 10 kg. It also has Distributed injection (multi-point), whereas the 52 hp AWD Manual has Carburetor fuel delivery.
For the highest output, choose the second-generation 58 hp 0.7 AT. It has 64 Nm, a 4-speed Automatic and FWD. Compared with the second-generation 46 hp 0.7 AT, it adds 12 hp, 7 Nm and one transmission ratio, but also adds 135 kg. Both provide 160 mm of ground clearance.
For the lowest documented kerb weight with an Automatic, the second-generation 46 hp 0.7 AT weighs 635 kg. It is 10 kg lighter than the first-generation 52 hp 3-speed 0.7 AT, although it has 6 hp less. Its calculated 13.8 kg-per-horsepower ratio is the least favourable among versions whose kerb weight is known.
The clearest overall choice is therefore the first-generation 0.7 MT with 52 hp and FWD if low weight and power-to-weight matter most. Buyers requiring AWD should stay with the first generation, while buyers prioritising maximum output and a 4-speed Automatic should select the second-generation 58 hp 0.7 AT. Prices are not measured, so the data cannot establish whether the extra output, AWD or different transmission is worth any particular premium.