New North American Spec Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Mitsubishi has just released details and photos the North American version of the company’s all electric car, the i-MiEV. The car will make its first live appearance next week at the LA Auto Show.
The original i-MiEV was thought to be too small (both inside and out) for the US market, especially when its main competition came in the form of the much larger Nissan LEAF. This ‘upgrade’ increases the overall length of the i-MiEV by almost a foot, while adding about a foot of length and a additional inch (yes…a single inch) of headroom.
Specifications provided by Mitsubishi:
- North American Version i-MiEV Main Specifications (numbers in [ ] denote difference with Japanese model)
Length : 3,680mm [+285mm]
Width : 1,585mm [+110mm]
Height : 1,615mm [+5mm]
Tread (front/rear) : 1,420mm/1,380mm [+110mm/+110mm]
How does that relate to the LEAF? Well, the i-MiEV is still small. The LEAF is 30 inches longer, 7 inches wider, but the Mitsu now has 2.5 more inches of headroom over Nissan’s EV.
New/Larger Interior
Will that be enough to overcome it diminutive shortcomings to the bulk of US car buyers? Probably not.
However, it does not need to be all things to all people, it just had to be big enough to fit the accepted definition of what ‘small’ is here in North America. Mitsubishi has taken a proactive step in this regard, and it shows they are serious about selling the i-MiEV here. And with an expected price under $30,000, the i-MiEV now has the potential to be a player in the EV segment in the US.
US Spec i-MiEV Rear (click to enlarge)
![Will Ferrell Spotted Driving a Nissan LEAF [Video]](http://nissan-leaf.net/wp-content/themes/bigfoot/includes/timthumb.php?src=
http://nissan-leaf.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/wf.png
&h=48&w=48&zc=1)
It’s still a very small car. If it’s like what I saw last month it also makes the Leaf look positively like it belongs in the luxury class. I don’t think $3000 is going to overcome those two big hurdles.
DonC(Quote)
If you buy your car by the lb then it does not make economic sense, but some people like space efficient cars. It is a true city car. Check out Robert Llewellyn’s YouTube channel, they are lots of fun.
http://green.autoblog.com/2010/04/08/video-robert-llewellyns-gearless-looks-into-quick-charging-for/
Herm(Quote)
How about $27,450?
Carcus(Quote)
Where’s the battery? Where’s the engine? What’s going on here?
xRB(Quote)
Notice the apparent absence of a navigation system in the dash?
Greg(Quote)
Nice review of the LEAF here:
http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/first-spin-nissan-leaf.htm
I like it they left the NAV system off, got one in my phone and you are not getting very far from your house with this car.
I wish the 5mph bumper was not so obvious, they could have faired it in a bit better in the front. Imagine a few years from now when a car like this is under $10k.
Herm(Quote)
I think Nissan must be paying Mitsubishi to make the i-MiEV as ugly as possible. Good to have competition in the pure EV market though.
Ben(Quote)
Look closely – under the floor pan, looks like under the seats, similar to the Leaf
There isn’t one. The motor is up front under the bonnet – or, if you prefer, the hood.
JEff(Quote)
I had hoped when they were going to “release specs” that it might contain something about battery capacity, range, etc. If by being small it increases the range substantially and will seat four adults comfortably for under $30,000 before incentives I think there will be a market for it, especially if it trumps range anxiety.
erg4all(Quote)
If Mitsu can come in at $26,999 they just might become the Prius of the EV market segment. After tax credit it would comfortably break into the sub-$20k price level. That is bound to attract a lot of attention.
Somehow its quirky looks seem more acceptable than the LEAF’s own weird styling. The LEAF looks like it was designed by a sleep-deprived committee whereas the iMiev’s lines all seem to share a common purpose. It has a more individual, breakaway personality than the LEAF which looks more conventional.
I’ve always thought capturing the younger age group buyers would be the best strategy for EVs, and this Mitsu just might be that ticket.
stuart22(Quote)
Hopefully Mitsu offers up all the important information on the 17th at the debut.
/fingers crossed
Jay (Statik) Cole(Quote)
I am 6’5″ tall and my legs are only 12″ long so lots of head room and no leg room is perfect! This is the car I’ve been waiting for.
Aside from those that really want to get as small a car as possible, Price is the only variable they have left to get into the American market. I agree with the posts above that want a post rebate price under 20K. At a price under 20G’s it’s affordable to almost anyone looking for a new car.
gsned57(Quote)
Too small. Too unconventional.
We need EV’s that look like other cars to make it work in mass-market America. Quirky cars like Cube and Smart by definition make themselves a niche/cult vehicle. ‘Green’ cars like Prius turn off buyers because of the smug factor and ‘hybrid’ styling.
Leaf is more mainstream, but, still has some very distinctive design elements making it appeal to a smaller group.
I guess I’m more in the Focus or 200C (or Volt) thinking about what an EV is all about. To grab the people that can afford these cars (not teenagers, btw.) they need to be comfortable, easy to operate and functional. Compact or Mini is just too small for most Americans.
Loboc(Quote)
Have you been in this car? It’s small. Really small.
DonC(Quote)
The motor is in the back, between the rear wheels that it drives (like the gas version). You’re right about the battery.
It looks like it lost some of its quirkiness. They even added a second wiper arm for the windshield…
Gwido(Quote)
The more I look at it, the more perfect it looks in the role as a second car. It takes up less space and therefore should be easier to maneuver and park. If it is roomy inside and if it meets crash test standards, it’ll be hard to beat.
I’m one who believes it is NOT an advantage for EVs to look like standard cars at this point in time. This is because EVs ARE a niche market, and niche customers like to stand out and state their case. The Prius is evidence of that. The Gen 1 Prius looked like any dumpy econobox and relatively few were sold. It wasn’t until the distinctive and controversally styled Gen 2 model came out that Prius sales skyrocketed. Meanwhile sales of hybrids based upon standard models such as the Honda Civic hybrid remained stagnant.
If the US market iMiev is reasonably roomy and safe, and comes in at below $20k post tax credit, Nissan may be soon find themselves refunding a sizeable chunk of those $99 deposits….
stuart22(Quote)
I’m not sure they can do it, but under 20K (post rebate, less and $27,499), this car will sell, even if its realistic range is 60-80 miles.
As was mentioned earlier by someone about the i-MiEV pricing, with a MSRP at $27,499 and say a 45% residual, in a 3 year lease you would be looking at around $225. Mighty attractive price with no gas cost associations after purchasing.
Jay (Statik) Cole(Quote)
Hopefully there will be other small EV’s in a few years that are not based on a kei car which is just too small.
IQ130(Quote)
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/11/plugins-galore-buy-your-ev-at-the-appliance-store/
“Mitsubishi told The Nikkei [sub] today that it will partner with home appliance retailer Bic Camera to promote its i-MiEV EV. Despite its name, Bic is much more than a camera store. With more than 27 locations, mostly in and around of Tokyo, it’s the Japanese equivalent of Best Buy and Circuit City of lore.”
Herm(Quote)
Thank you for correcting me on the location of the motor, and for providing those diagrams!
JEff(Quote)
I’m inclined to agree with everything you’ve said here. The only thing holding me back is that I can actually get a fair amount of ‘stuff’ into the back of a Leaf when I go shopping, or when I take my kid and his hockey gear to the ice rink. I don’t see where I could put much of anything of substance into this thing.
JEff(Quote)
Looking more like the Chrysler Peopod!
But any EV under $30K is going to sell FAST!
GO EV!!! GO LEAF !!!
Future Leaf Driver(Quote)