New turbodiesel makes a star of the Carisma

A NEW 1.9 direct injection diesel (DI-D) has gone underneath the bonnet of Mitsubishi’s award winning Carisma completing the range which has already won acclaim for its ‘eco’ friendly gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine.

We reported on the the revamped range last year which had brought a far more distinctive looking car from previous with clear new headlamps and revisions to the bonnet line, grille, front bumper and rear styling.

The interior, too, had been reworked with most obvious changes to the restyled centre console and instrument binnacle.

Otherwise much was the same as with the old Carisma, stowage space continuing to be a strong point with a deep illuminated glovebox, handy trays, coin storage and map pockets in the doors and front backrests. Twin drink holders are located between the front seats.

The rear seat splits 60:40 and, in addition to tipping forward, hatchbacks have a double folding action.

With the rear seat in place the saloon and hatchback offer 460 and 430 litres of baggage space respectively. Folded and this is boosted to 660 litres.

I was appraising the saloon and during the week I had to transport a wheelchair. In the past I have found it quite difficult to load - folded or otherwise - in a car of this size, even with the rear seats split. Absolutely no bother with the boot of the Carisma. I just slid it in flat. I didn’t even have to fold down either of the rear seats!

There are four different trims, Classic, Comfort, Elegance and Sport. Specification changes to the interior and exterior of the 1.9 DI-D include a partially chrome gear lever, new fabric design for the interior trim, wooden facia on the centre console, alloys wheels and fully painted side mouldings.

The real star of this appraisal, however, is the new 102bhp 1.9 litre DI-D engine which leads the way in terms of output and torque using a common rail system and a fully electrically-controlled fuel injection system giving it the ability to deliver constantly high torque even at low speeds, so the driver doesn’t have to shift down for sudden acceleration.

It’s one impressive power unit boasting all the fuel-saving virtues of diesel, but with new levels of diesel power, speed and the responsiveness of a petrol engine. It covers the standing start to 62mph in 11.9 seconds - and, for a diesel, does it all pretty quietly too.

Another remarkable engine from Mitsubishi.