Mitsubishi Carisma Road Test

Pick of the Carisma bunch has to be the 1.8 GDI. There are several models fitted with this revolutionary powerplant, and all are capable (depending on the way you drive) of either exceptional economy or above-average performance. If you drive with a heavy right foot, then you'll notice little difference, apart from a minor power increase over the older 'ordinary' 1.8-litre models (which disappeared with the late 1999 facelift).Tread lightly, though, and improvements in both economy and exhaust emissions of up to 20 percent are possible, according to Mitsubishi. The figures seem to bear this out. Compare a Carisma GDI with a typical equivalent rival – say a Ford Mondeo 1.8 – and the facts make interesting reading. The GDI puts out 125bhp as opposed to 115bhp for the Ford. Against the clock, it manages rest to 60 in just 9.7s (11.0 for the Ford). Meanwhile, at the pumps, it achieves a combined fuel consumption figure of 45.6mpg (36.2mpg for the Ford). So, yes, the GDI is a rare engine that really does let you enjoy the best of both worlds.