Apparently the new Mini Cooper will also have a 3 banger. Of course, it costs quite a bit more, and they turboed it to get considerably more torque at 162 Lb/Ft (0-60 in 7.5seconds). Hwy mileage is estimated at 42mpg, but the city is a paltry 30mpg estimate based on this article: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/10/2...w-first-drive/
How does this help the Mirage? It proves that 3 cylinder engines are not just for "cheap" cars, and that a car doesn't need a big engine to be fun/capable (the Mirage being as capable, if not as much fun as the Mini).