The Mitsubishi Space Star is a car produced from mid-1998 until the end of 2005. Described as a hatchback, a compact people carrier or a micro MPV, it was built at the NedCar factory in the Netherlands and sold mainly in Europe, replacing the Space Runner.
Mitsubishi Space Star at a glance
| Maker | Mitsubishi Motors, built at NedCar, Netherlands |
|---|---|
| Production | 1998–2005 |
| Platform | shared with the Carisma and the Volvo S40 and V40 |
| Replaced | Mitsubishi Space Runner |
| Engines | 1.3, 1.6 and 1.8 petrol; 1.9 DI-D diesel |
| Petrol output | 80 to 121 hp |
| Diesel output | 101 hp, and 115 hp from 2003 |
| GDI | 1.8-litre 121 hp, until the 2002 facelift |
| Facelift | 2002 |
| Safety | three stars for adults, two for pedestrians, Euro NCAP 2001 |
| Name returns | 2013, on the sixth-generation Mirage in Europe |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Mitsubishi Space Star. The free photographs in the material show the later Mirage-based Space Star, not the NedCar car, so this page keeps the earlier picture.
History of the Mitsubishi Space Star
Built in the Netherlands
The Space Star shared its platform with the Mitsubishi Carisma and the Volvo S40 and V40, all of them built at NedCar. It reached the market in the autumn of 1998 as a replacement for the Space Runner, and it was sold mainly in Europe. Its appearance barely changed during its life, with only a minor facelift in 2002.
The base cars used 1.3-litre petrol engines of 80 to 84 hp, with a 1.6-litre of 97 hp and a 1.8-litre of 112 hp above them. A 1.8-litre GDI engine with 121 hp was available until the 2002 facelift. Diesel buyers could choose the 1.9-litre DI-D of 101 hp introduced with the facelift, or the 115 hp DI-D S from 2003. All engines were straight fours.
Safety and the end
In 2001 Euro NCAP crash tested the Space Star and gave it three stars for adult occupant protection and two for pedestrian safety. Production stopped in 2005.
The name returns
In 2013 Mitsubishi began selling the sixth-generation Mirage supermini under the Space Star name in parts of Europe, because of legal rights relating to the use of the Mirage nameplate. That car is a five-door hatchback with a three-cylinder petrol engine, and it has no mechanical connection with the NedCar-built MPV.
Design and features
- NedCar build: made in the Netherlands alongside the Carisma and Volvo S40.
- Wide engine range: 1.3 to 1.8 petrol, including a GDI, and 1.9 diesels.
- Euro NCAP: three stars for adults and two for pedestrians in 2001.
- Gentle facelift: only one, in 2002.
- Reused name: applied to the Mirage in Europe from 2013.
Mitsubishi Space Star versions
- 1.3 and 1.6 petrol: the base and mid-range engines.
- 1.8 GDI: 121 hp direct-injection petrol until 2002.
- 1.9 DI-D (2002): 101 hp diesel.
- 1.9 DI-D S (2003): 115 hp diesel.
- Space Star (2013): the Mirage under a different name.
The Space Star shared its platform with the Carisma, and it replaced the Space Runner. Its later namesake is the Mirage, and more cars are in the Mitsubishi collection.
Sources
- Mitsubishi Space Star, English Wikipedia: platform, engines, safety, later use of the name
