Mitsubishi UK predicts that the Mirage, replacement for the Colt, could become its best selling product, with initial sales estimates for the UK this year doubling to 8,000.

Pitched against the likes of the Picanto and Micra, the three-spec line-up – all petrol and five- door – is exempt from VED and the London Congestion Charge, writes Chris Phillips.

Launched with a £1,000 discount, prices range from £7,999 to £11,999, with a service plan costing £350 for the first three services/37,500 miles.

Managing director Lance Bradley said that with a better Yen/Sterling exchange rate, dealers were expecting a significantly better year.

“The first quarter alone saw a 56% increase in sales over the corresponding period for last year, with Mitsubishi being the biggest growing brand in February.”

He believed the company could hit the 20,000 sales mark this year, compared with 12,000 for 2012.

There were no plans for any changes to the 115-strong dealer network, except for a couple of open points in Liverpool and Manchester.

Though Bradley acknowledged that sales of Mitsubishi’s iMiEV reflected the general lack of consumer interest in all-electric vehicles, he believed the technology still had a viable future.

“It will be helped by growing acceptance of hybrids. As volumes for these increase, so battery prices will come down,” he said.

With Mitsubishi progressively introducing hybrids into its model portfolio, he believed these would be as much of a “game-changer” as the brand’s earlier reputation for its turbo charged engines.