Mitsubishi Mirage running costs are really the car’s strongest hand. The car was designed from the outset with a sub-100g/km CO2 emissions figure as a target and as such every model in the range qualifies for free road tax and exemption from the London Congestion Charge.

The automatic CVT version of the 1.2-litre Mirage 3 is the most efficient engine and gearbox combination in the range, averaging 68.9mpg and emitting 95g/km of CO2. The manual version, by contrast, emits 100g/km and averages 65.7mpg.

Of its rivals, the Kia Picanto comes closest on CO2, with the 1.0-litre version dipping under the 100g/km mark.

Mitsubishi expects average residual values across the Mirage range to be 41 per cent. The very basic entry-level Mirage 1.0 will retain the most of its value, but only because it costs far less to buy initially than the rest of the range.

Compared with the Mitsubishi Colt, the car the Mirage replaces, a mid-spec Mirage 2 is forecast to be worth an extra £1,014 after three years.

Mitsubishi Mirage emissions fall under the magic 100g/km mark across the range, with the 1.2-litre automatic version emitting as little as 95g/km and averaging 69mpg. This comes partially as a result of the 1.2-litre engine’s stop/start system and regenerative braking system, along with low-rolling resistance tyres.

Lots of effort has gone into the Mirage’s aerodynamics to give it a slippery, low-drag shape – that’s why it has such a tiny grille opening at the front and a prominent boot spoiler at the rear.

An ‘Eco Drive Assist’ indicator on the instrument panel fills up with green bars according to how efficiently it’s being driven. These reduce if driven in too high a gear, for example, and disappear altogether if the car is being driven aggressively.

It’s built to be a robust car for emerging markets, so Mitsubishi Mirage reliability should prove strong. Mitsubishi has traditionally fared well on the reliability front, finishing third in the 2012 J.D.Power/AUTO TEST Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study.

The Mirage will be built at a brand-new factory in Thailand, with all cars undergoing a pre-shipment inspection before reaching the UK.