Mitsubishi Reveals I-MiEV Production Model in Japan
Mitsubishi has just revealed the production model of its i-MiEV electric car in Japan and it plans to have models on the road by July. Initial sales of 1,400 vehicles will be to government entities with public sales starting in April of 2010.
As a full-electric vehicle the i-MiEV creates zero emissions and is powered by an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack that makes 63hp and 133 ft-lbs of torque.
It is based on Mitsubishi’s “i” minicar and by locating the drive battery under the floor and the power unit under the luggage compartment, it not only retains a great deal of usable cargo space, but is also a well-balanced vehicle.
Mitsubishi calls it the “ultimate eco-car, a solution to the various challenges the automobile faces today including environmental pollution, global warming and the depletion of petroleum-based energy supplies.”
The battery can be recharged using either a conventional household outlet, a 200-volt outlet or it can be quick-charged at special stations – which Mitsubishi is currently setting up in Japan. With a standard household outlet, charge time is 14 hours, but can be sped up to 7 hours using a 200-volt outlet. Quick-charge stations will be able to make the charge in just half an hour.
The i-MiEV is priced at 4,599,000 Yen ($47,600) but is eligible for a $14,400 tax break.
Mitsubishi did not give any details on when the car might go on sale outside Japan, but company representatives have already said the the i-MiEV is scheduled to be sold in North America.
GALLERY: Mitsubishi i-MiEV
More on the i-MiEV after the jump:
Mitsubishi Motors to bring new-generation EV i-MiEV to market
- Delivery to corporate, governmental and local authority users starts late July
- Sales to individuals to start April 2010
Tokyo, June 5, 2009 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today, on World Environment Day, unveiled the production version of the i-MiEV *1 *2 new-generation electric vehicle (EV), describing it as “the pioneer that will open the door to the next 100 years of our automobile society.” The i-MiEV will go on sale on the Japanese market in late July of this year.
The i-MiEV represents the crystallization of some 40 years of electric vehicle development at Mitsubishi Motors. The company is presenting the production i-MiEV as the ultimate eco-car, a solution to the various challenges the automobile faces today including environmental pollution, global warming and the depletion of petroleum-based energy supplies. The company will continue its extensive collaboration with both private and public sectors in Japan and overseas in developing infrastructure to promote ownership of EVs.
Mitsubishi Motors expects to distribute, on a maintenance lease*3 basis, some 1,400 i-MiEV models in fiscal 2009 principally to corporations and to local authorities. The company plans to start sales of i-MiEV to individuals in April 2010 and will start taking orders in late July of this year.
*1 | MiEV: Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle |
*2 | i-MiEV : For the full production model a hyphen has been added to the name by which the advance experiment and proving models have been known. |
*3 | Maintenance lease: A lease in which the monthly payments include some of the taxes, insurance and maintenance costs. |
The introduction of the MiEV OS (MiEV Operating System)*4 – an advanced integrated vehicle management system into which the company has poured its wealth of know-how garnered from many years of EV research and development – has provided the kind of high performance and reliability that befits a new-generation EV.
*4 | Generic name for the integrated vehicle management system developed by Mitsubishi Motors for new-generation EVs. |
*5 | An application must be submitted to the electric power company to qualify for domestic late night rates. |
*6 | Actual range will vary depending on weather conditions, road congestion and on how the driver operates his vehicle (use of accelerator, climate control system, etc.) |
*7 | A nationwide survey in Japan indicates that on average 90% of car drivers cover less than 40 km/day on weekdays and that 80% cover less than 60 km/day at weekends and holidays (in-house research). |
- Charging time guide *8
Method | Power source | Time |
Normal** | 200V AC(15Amp) | Approx. 7 hours (full charge) |
100V AC(15Amp) | Approx. 14 hours (full charge) | |
Quick | 200V 3-phase (50 kW) | Approx. 30 mins. (80% charge) |
*8 | Actual charging times may vary depending on such factors as air temperature and power source status. |
** | The normal charging gun and normal charging connector were jointly developed by Toyota Motor Corporation and Yazaki Corporation. |
*9 | Joint venture established on December 12, 2007 between Mitsubishi Motors, GS Yuasa Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation to develop, manufacture and sell large-capacity and high energy-density lithium-ion cells for EV use. |
D-position: | Generates gutsy torque in direct response to accelerator input and allows the driver to enjoy i-MiEV ‘s performance potential to the maximum. |
Eco-position: | Reduces power output and consumption to deliver maximum economy. |
B-position: | Increases the regenerative brake bias. Power output is the same as for D. |
Type A: | The two 2-tone color schemes that have been used to date to highlight the i-MiEV ‘s originality are available: Red Solid / White Solid and Cool Silver Metallic / White Solid. |
Type B: | In addition two new 2-tone color schemes are available. – “Clean image:” White Pearl / Ocean Blue Metallic and White Pearl / Mint Green. – “Premium image:” Cool Silver Metallic / Black Mica. |
*10 | As of end May 2009, according to Mitsubishi Motors research. |
Drive System | 2WD (rear-wheel drive) | |
Vehicle Weight/Dimensions | L x W x H | 3395mm x 1475mm x 1600mm |
Wheel base | 2550mm | |
Vehicle weight (kg) | 1100kg | |
Occupants | 4 | |
Performance | Power Consumption (10-15 mode driving pattern) | 125Wh/km |
Cruising range/charge (10-15 mode driving pattern) | 160km | |
Drive Battery | Type | Lithium-ion |
Rated voltage | 330V | |
Rated capacity | 16 kWh | |
Motor | Type | Permanent magnet synchronous |
Model | Y4F1 | |
Max. output | 47kW (64PS) / 3000 – 6000 rpm | |
Max. torque | 180 Nm (18.4 kgf-m) / 0 – 2000 rpm |
Sales target: | 1,400 units (fiscal 2009) |
MSRP: | JPY 4,599,000 (consumption tax inclusive)*11 |
JPY 4,380,000 (ex-tax) *12 | |
(Price does not include recycling fee, insurance, taxes other than consumption tax or registration costs.) | |
Sales contract type: Maintenance lease |
*11 | i-MiEV qualifies for “Subsidies for measures designed to promote introduction of clean energy vehicles,” currently implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. For fiscal 2009, intending owners are eligible to receive a maximum subsidy of JPY 1,390,000 on approval of an application submitted to the Next Generation Vehicle Promotion Center (The intending owner must apply for the subsidy and receive notification of its approval before the vehicle is registered). |
*12 | Under current Japanese tax incentives to promote the ownership of eco-cars, the i-MiEV is exempt from the excise and weight taxes normally collectable on purchase of a new vehicle. |
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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