| Mitsubishi's Future | ||
 |
||
|
(Thu 05 Mar 09) Mitsubishi has declared its intentions for the future at Geneva. The Japanese manufacturer wants to be known less for its SUVs and pickups (Shogun and L200 respectively) and more for its passenger cars and crossovers, with a particular emphasis on a new generation of electric vehicles.
With that in mind, Mitsubishi is showing two cars called i MiEV, both of them based on the i city car (see road test) but with a battery pack and electric motor underneath the luggage compartment where the standard i's small petrol engine is located. The Sport Air (pictured above) is more powerful, with a maximum output of 80bhp, but also less practical with its clear, transparent roof and an interior design which looks great on a concept car but would probably be too expensive to use on a production model. More immediately relevant is the prototype of a European version of the i MiEV. A Japanese model will be launched on the home market this summer but it has had to be re-engineered for Europe, partly by making it wider so that it's more suitable for the roads in this part of the world. It's also 55mm longer to take into account the higher levels of pedestrian protection required here, and to give greater protection for occupants in the event of a rear-end shunt. A production version - described as "the first practical modern electric car to be soon made available by any major manufacturer operating in the region" - is expected to be ready next year. Mitsubishi Gallery Previous: February UK Car Registrations Next: Nissan GT-R SpecV |
