14/11/2025
URGENT CLARIFICATION: It has come to our attention that there is a degree of ongoing confusion between the Mitsubishi Mirage and the Dassault Mirage, which we’d like to clear up before the trickle turns into a torrent.
The confusion is entirely understandable of course. The Mitsubishi Mirage was a huge favourite on New Zealand roads throughout the 1970s and 1980s, about the same time as the Dassault Mirage IIIs of the Royal Australian Air Force were streaking over the Tasman to delight Kiwi airshow crowds.
As well as sharing a name, they’re both beautiful, sleek, balanced but practically designed machines that have a ‘ooh la la’ look about them.
They were also popular with operators and performed well over long careers. Disconcertingly, to the naked eye, they’re almost impossible to tell apart.
But there are a few telltale differences which more experienced eyes will spot, and we’ve prepared a handy guide to allow you tell your Mirages apart in the car park.
Firstly, and you will kick yourself when it is pointed out, the Mitsubishi Mirage can be distinguished by its handy lift-up boot configuration for shopping, which the Dassault Mirage lacked.
This made the Mitsubishi extremely popular as a town runabout but may have dented the Dassault’s sales with shoppers.
The second big difference is found under the bonnet. The Dassault Mirage was powered by a SNECMA ATAR 9C turbojet with afterburner which gave it a top speed of 2,350 km/h or Mach 2.2, more than enough for a speeding ticket.
The Mitsubishi Mirage had a conventional inline four-cylinder engine with a choice of 1.2, 1.4 or 1.6 litre variants and a top speed, depending on the model, of 145 km/h or Mach 0.12. Disappointingly, none came with an afterburner option although there was a cool-looking turbo version along the way.
Finally, if you are still confused, simply have a look on the side of your Mirages for the telltale ejection seat warning triangle sign.
Dassault Mirage IIIs were fitted with Martin-Baker Mk.4 ejector seats, but Mitsubishi decided against fitting this all-important safety option.
So there you have it.
Never confuse your Mirages again!
