2011 Mitsubishi i-MiEV – Eco-Friendly, Affordable and Fun To Drive

2011 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is the company’s first foray into North American all electric powered car market. It is a zero-emissions vehicle. Even when taking into account CO2 emissions at powerplants, which produce power needed to charge the car, it emits only 30 percent of CO2 of gasoline minicar. Strong acceleration is achieved through highly efficient and compact permanent magnet synchronous motor, which churns out high torque from low speed. Using onboard charger, it can be charged with 100V or 200V power source in the home. In addition, if quick-chargers currently being developed by power companies are used, it will be possible to charge the vehicle in short time. Based on “i” minicar’s rear-midship layout platform, the vehicle replaces traditional transmission, fuel tank and engine with lithium-ion battery system, inverter, motor and other EV components. The long wheelbase, feature of rear midship layout offers space for high capacity lithium-ion batteries beneath the floor and allows inverter and motor to be installed in the space, which used to house traditional transmission and engine.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) is a 5-door electric hatchback car designed and engineered by Mitsubishi Motors. It is an electric version of Mitsubishi i. As per Mitsubishi, its all-electric range is 100 miles on Japanese test cycle. The range for 2012 model year American version known as “i” for this market, is 62 miles on United States Environmental Protection Agency’s cycle. The i-MiEV was introduced originally for fleet customers in Japan in the year 2009, and on April 1, 2010, for wider public. Retail sales started in Japanese market at price of $43,000. Since July 2009 the company has marketed over 17,000 i-MiEV models all over the world through October 2011, including 4,000 units rebadged in France and marketed in Europe as Citroen C-ZERO and Peugeot iOn by September 2011. The i-MiEV was scheduled for introduction in Canada in the month of December and pricing started at $33,891 before any government incentives offered in Quebec and Ontario. The company will marketing international i-MiEV version in Canada, not U.S. only version, and two variants will be offered, premium and standard. The premium package includes 15 inch alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, HDD Navigation system, premium audio system, USB input with voice control and Bluetooth 2.0 handsfree cellular phone interface with streaming audio.

Previewed as concept vehicle at 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, then introduced in February 2006 and recipient of many an award and well received by customers and media alike the pioneering, i has been chosen as platform for next generation vehicle project of MMC, the 2011 Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Making best use of midship architecture of this urban car, the i-MiEV or I then was launched in 2006 as research vehicle motivated by lightweight and compact motor and high energy density lithium ion batteries. Mitsubishi Motors was one of the first automobile manufacturing companies to recognize the superiority of lithium ion battery over lead acid batteries in terms of output densities and energy as demonstrated through development in 1994 of Chariot HEV plug-in hybrid, itself followed by successive and various testing programs seeking further enhancements in safety, performance, durability and reliability.

Space Saving Architecture

Aforementioned, the 2011 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is based on “i” minicar platform where floor mounted central fuel tank and rear midship petrol powerplant are replaced with motor, lithium ion traction battery pack, inverter and other EV components with only modicum of modifications required to turn petrol “i” into Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

This feature enabled installation of high density huge capacity lithium ion 88 cell traction battery pack within long 2,550 mm wheelbase, specifically without compromising seating for four, at the same time lowering center of gravity of car and protecting batteries in case of crash.

Powerplant

The 2011 Mitsubishi i-MiEV uses compact and lightweight high efficiency permanent magnet synchronous electric generator specially developed for the vehicle. This motor produces maximum torque from low engine speeds (180 newton meters to 2,000 rpm) for delivering powerful response (49kW) and flawless driving experience. When vehicle slows down, the regenerative braking system causes generator to operate as motor, the energy recovered being stored in drive battery.

Transmission

The 2011 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is paired with compact and lightweight single speed reduction gear transmission, exploiting high low end torque inbuilt to electric motor and eliminating need for complex gear shifting mechanisms like the one found on internal combustion engine powered vehicles.

For Practical Use

For diffusion of electric vehicles, infrastructure development is as significant as developing the car itself. The company has been conducting joint research with power companies using “i MiEV”. The power firms will be evaluating and analyzing electric vehicles’ quick charge compatibility and practical applicability, which will help to develop vehicles and infrastructure for safe and convenient EV use. Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and GS Yuasa Corporation founded a joint venture company, “Lithium Energy Japan” for manufacturing high performance high capacity lithium ion batteries on 12th December 2007. At present, GS Yuasa is the only mass producing company of large lithium-ion batteries in Japan. The new company will design and develop batteries with higher capacities and substantially enhanced performance suitable for electric vehicles. Starting in early FY 2009, the annual production of 200,000 lithium-ion EV battery cells will begin at new plant in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture.

Interior

The 2011 Mitsubishi i MiEV offers plenty of interior space for four passengers and reasonable luggage compartment space in the rear. The installation of batteries under floor makes its center of gravity low that offers more stable driving dynamic. Available interior appointments include navigation system, heated driver seat, air conditioning, power windows, mirrors and door locks, and more. Standard safety features include stability and traction control, antilock brakes with brake assist, side and side curtain airbags and tire pressure monitoring system.

Europe

The European version of 2011 Mitsubishi i-MiEV was launched at 2010 Paris Auto Show with features, including new design to rear and front bumpers to meet EU regulations, enhanced cabin comfort, re-arranged center console in instrument panel and both passive and active safety features, which have been enhanced with addition of ASC (Active Stability Control), as well as side and curtain airbags. The European MiEV achieves an all-electric range of 93 miles under European NEDC driving pattern.

Mass production of European i-MiEV started in the month of October 2010 at Mizushima plant of Mitsubishi with production of its siblings by Peugeot iOn, Citroen C-ZERO and PSA Peugeot Citroen. In the year 2011, the company marketed 2,500 i-MiEV models from Japan and started sales in 15 nations, including Belgium, Austria, France, Denmark, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Norway, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden and United Kingdom. Mitsubishi is also running demonstration programs with i-MiEV in Iceland, Principality of Monaco and Denmark.

United States

The first fleet and individual customer deliveries in United States took place in December 2011. The company originally announced a base price of $27,990, but in September 2011 raised the base price to $29,125 plus destination charge. The American version of i-MiEV was revealed 2010 Los Angeles Motor Show. During this show, the company announced it decided to drop MiEV from the name and the US version will be named simply as “i electric vehicle”. First accessibility is limited and initial roll-out markets include Hawaii, California, Washington and Oregon, followed by Northeastern states. Nationwide availability is expected by mid 2012.

Some of the exterior and interior features on 2011 Mitsubishi i-MiEV include New lightweight aluminum wheels, larger front bumper & newly-designed rear bumper, larger outside rear view mirror, rear foglamps, ISO-FIX child seat anchors, immobilizer, Active Stability Control (ASC), 9-inch brake booster, large head restraints, side curtain airbags, daytime running lights, seat belt warning lamp and specific left-hand drive developments (wash-wipe, HVAC and dashboard systems.

Popularity: 2% [?]