Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) is pleased to announce the success of the fuel economy driving event dubbed as the “Mirage G4 Eco Drive Marathon”. This historic and record-breaking project was conceptualized to prove the fuel efficiency and eco friendliness of both the Mirage (Hatchback) and the Mirage G4 (sedan). Two Mirage G4s (one with manual transmission and one with Continuously Variable Transmission or CVT) and one manual transmission Mirage hatchback were put to this fuel economy challenge. This is the first time that an automotive company took the challenge to put its vehicle on an activity that will test and determine not only its fuel efficiency but as well as its true power and performance. To ensure the fairness and objectiveness of this Eco Drive Marathon, a representative from the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) was commissioned to closely supervise and monitor the entire run.

Professional race drivers and navigators like George Ramirez, Robbie Hermoso, Louis Ramirez, George Apacible, Raul Asuncion, Steve Acaya, Barry Ortiz, Ivan Isada were among the members of the Mirage G4 Eco Drive Marathon team. The eco drive marathon commenced on December 2, 2014 at Northpoint Alliance Motor Corp., MMPC’s dealership in Laoag, Ilocos Norte and from there the team took Philippine Nautical Highway route. Fuel lines were inspected and sealed by AAP’s official representatives.

Before the actual Eco Drive, MMPC was eyeing to achieve 1,450km on one full tank to break the longest distance recorded in 2008 which was 1,402km. The route required several challenges like passing through mountainous scape especially in the northern Mindanao area which significantly affects fuel consumption. Another major challenge was the interruption brought by typhoon Ruby as it posed a major threat to the safety of the team.  The team had to stop in Iloilo city and just continue the run several days later.

The Mirage G4s managed to travel from Luzon to Visayas and up to Mindanao on just one full tank or 42 liters of fuel. The results were beyond expectations as the Mirage G4 manual transmission was able to travel a total distance of 1,647.1km while the CVT achieved 1,517.9km and the Mirage (Hatchback) achieved 1,278.6km with just one full tank.


The impressive fuel efficiency and best value features of the Mirage G4 were all attested in this Eco Drive Marathon. The drivers were truly surprised on the performance of the Mirage G4.  “With this Eco Marathon we broke all our expectations as well as all the records”, lead driver Georges Ramirez commended. Aside from the Mirage G4’s fuel efficiency the participants also noticed the spaciousness of the car and the driving comfort that it offers. Mr. Ramirez said that they never really felt uncomfortable and at times the car would even serve as his bed during their very long travel. “The G4 is designed to be a straightforward four-door sedan, easy to drive with lots of space inside and luggage space. For me it’s a very practical car with top of its class amenities and at same is also eco-friendly.”, Mr. Ramirez added.

“From the moment that we thought of doing this challenge, we never had a doubt that the Mirage G4 will achieve an incredible fuel mileage”, MMPC Vice President for Marketing Services, Mr. Froilan Dytianquin said.  “Apart from the Mirage and Mirage G4 inherent fuel efficiency, we believe that this great achievement would not be possible if not for the expertise of the drivers and navigators as well as the entire support team.”, he added.

MMPC wishes to give credit to Pilipinas Shell, AVT and Bridgestone whose zeal in partnering with them made this significant automotive event a very successful one. The integrated AVT GPS navigation system in the cars was a great help in determining the routes all throughout the travel in the entire Philippines.   The Eco Drive Marathon run wouldn’t be that successful without the collaboration of these brands which in one way added to the class-leading performance of the Mirage G4.