With the other auto companies concentrating on hybrid version, Mitsubishi has taken the lead in the race with its pure electric mini car. Extremely cute and specifically designed for the urban streets, Mitsubishi i-MiEV is assured to revolutionize the method the world drives. The car can easily accommodate four adults, comfortably be parked in the tightest space and breeze through the roads of urban jungle. However, the most significant feature of the car is that it is a zero emission vehicle. Even if the carbon dioxide emissions produced by the power station for charging the car is taken into account, the vehicle produces only roughly 30% of carbon dioxide produced by a petrol car.
Being one of the first mass produced electronic vehicle cars, Mitsubishi i-MiEV certainly appears very promising with its futuristic design. The fact is unquestionably deniable that the vehicle features eye popping look, attracts attention immediately and compels the viewer to glaze it for several minutes.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Let us now take a glance at the detailed Mitsubishi i-MiEV review –
Mitsubishi i-MiEV Body Styling
Mitsubishi i-MiEV is completely electric and features a five door hatchback body. In terms of the overall size, the vehicle is very similar to Fiat Panda, but it is slightly narrower and shorter than Ford Fiesta. The interiors of the car are quite impressive with plenty of headroom and legroom to easily fit in the tallest passengers. Similar to LEAF of Nissan, the batteries of the car are provisioned under the floor, which makes a way for higher floor. It is undoubtedly a very tall car which makes it extremely convenient to get in and out of the car.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV Power
Mitsubishi i-MiEV features a highly efficient and compact permanent magnet motor installed on top of the rear axle which generates a force of 47 kw along with a high torque output of 180 nm which makes driving through traffic packed streets and junctions a pleasure and not a chore. A single speed gear transmission and 16 kilo watt ion lithium battery pack have also been employed by the car. Moreover, the top range of the car is 130 kms per hour (or 80 miles per hour). On the other hand, fuel economy of the car is 112 MPGe with 99 mpg in highways and 126 mpg in the city. This economy range has enabled the vehicle to get a better rating than Nissan’s Leaf.
It must be mentioned that as the vehicle employs an electric motor, it is completely free from the vibrations associated with diesel and petrol engines, and thus drives extremely smoothly and quietly. There is no sort of harshness, vibration and noise, and thus the overall performance and the refined quality of the car is emphasized.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV Battery
The 16 kwh ion lithium battery pack placed under the floor has been especially developed by Mitsubishi along with GS Yuasa in order to accomplish high rate discharge and specific energy. The battery is packed with 88 cells and connected to 22 cell modules with a reasonable voltage of 330 volts. Moreover, the entire pack features a total energy of 80 wh per kg.
Employing the on board charger, the car can be easily charged with the standard domestic electric source of 240 volts.
You simply need to plug the car into a three pin socket, and the vehicle will charge itself from flat to full 100% within a period of 7 hours. On the other hand, if you employ the devoted chargers, you can easily charge the vehicle from flat to literally 80% within a period of 30 minutes only.