Mitsubishi's plug-in electric cars, cool little i-MiEV, and is expected to dealers' room will be the autumn of 2011, according to the government target price of under $ 30 000 for a possible incentive. sneak-preview of a short test drive we were in Seattle, the production of Japanese-spec models are on sale since 2009.
Mitsubishi concept EV has been working for 35 years. I-MiEV (pronounced eye-meev innovative Electric Vehicle, and the importance of Mitsubishi) won in Minic that gasoline was in Japan since 2005 is based. The engine is located straight ahead of the rear axle, the best stability and interior space, and thus, the wheelbase of the car a short overall length length.
The four-door in MiEV four adult seats, especially in the interior of this simple, but comfortable to the driver, who has plenty of space. Rear seat legroom is acceptable, but not extensive.
I-MiEV is a 330-volt, lithium-ion battery 16kWh, and is powered by a 47kw electric motor magnets. His offer of 80 thousand and 100, and 110V outlet (12-14 hours full charge) may be charged, 220 V outlet (6-8 hours) or 3-phase fast-charging station, which delivered 20 minutes and 80 percent of costs. Such stations have been all over Japan.
134-inch total length of the i MiEV, which claims rights to a two-seat Smart Car (106 inches) and the old VW beetles (160 inches) is from. Specific weight of 2376 pounds of his (the modern standard, heavy-light of history) is. right-hand drive models in Japan is the width of 58 inches, and a good elbow again, but it will not be surprised if the North American version of the larger, hard to pass the U.S. crash tests. So it will be heavier, and the battery should be improved, 80 thousand in the same district, which has not been able to achieve a minimum Mitsubishi-negotiable.
I-MiEV Heads turn, the slope in front of a large glass and headlights give the car a personality. The visibility is excellent, the windscreen A-pillars behind a large window on the downward trend is a beautiful couple.
Our i-MiEV driving over a lake about 40 minutes north of Seattle, and Blast zippy little car was. wise and aware of the EV driving (there are three areas, electricity, Eco, and in-between them gives the best performance area), with his back to the trial almost as much when we left. driven by the juice of a steep, winding hill, where proper management, we sucked, and much more juice on the regenerative power back off by dragging it with the brakes lightly. accelerating from stoplights is 40 km / h briskly, we always need. In general, the album was easy to maneuver and fun to make. The maximum speed of 81 km / h is, you can not even run for an hour and do not like it.
Eco-mode uses the least energy, and reduce the time and you can definitely feel the acceleration, but they are still fast enough Eco driving around town. You have up to 35 km / h do not sweat, the way without getting behind the car. It is very easy to switch to B (round)-mode or D (power) to the mountains. accelerator response will be immediate.
Instrumentation is simple, and Speedo gauges and a digital measurement of battery capacity and use of surveillance must be empty and the entire label, as fuel. The plug-in on the right rear fender, the vessel, the gas cap just look under the Hatch.
If the U.S. government incentives offered by the Government of Japan, as an effective target price is 30k under it, and i-MiEV can be a convenient transportation in the city to emerge as the true beginning of the Contender If you need four seats.
