Mitsubishi announced at the 2008 Beijing Motor Show that it is developing a new global mini car. The new car — which is slated to hit the market in 2010 — will likely be sold in Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia and will ride on an all-new rear-wheel drive mini car platform.
According to Automotive News, the new car will be built to meet Japanese mini car standards — meaning the car will be no longer than 11.2 feet long and 5 feet wide — but will also have the flexibility to be sold outside of Japan. For example, Japanese mini car standards limit engine size to 660cc, but the car could be fitted with a 1.0L unit outside of Japan.
Mini cars are extremely popular in Japan — for their small size, low cost of entry, low maintenance costs and tax breaks — and account for about one third of all new cars sold in Japan.
Other details on the new car remain scarce, but Mitsubishi president Osamu Masuko indicated that the car will be built in the same regions that it is sold.
04/21, 11:30 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
FUGLY!!
04/21, 11:35 AM
posted by:
sharpie
Did they say RWD Mini??? This is going to be interesting!
04/21, 11:37 AM
posted by:
sharpie
By “Mini,” I meant Mitsubishi mini car, not the Mini brand.
04/21, 11:47 AM
posted by:
lucklaster
Cartoon go-karts.
04/21, 12:05 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Okay, I’m going to go out on a limb here and make a prediction: it will look like a bug with s miley face.
04/21, 12:14 PM
posted by:
El Aleman
So called class-N minicars (up to 3400 mm long and 1480 mm wide) are not only popular because Japan’s roads are one huge traffic jam, but also because they are in a specific tax class and get special parking lots.
04/21, 12:28 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
It looks like something from Pokemon or Dragonball Z. With the way gas prices are going, there will very soon be a competitive market for these in the U.S.
04/21, 12:53 PM
posted by:
Stinky007
Can anyway say “stretched Smart ForTwo”…
Considering the fact that the Mitsubishi Colt and the Smart ForFour use the same platform, it would be safe to assume this one will use ForTwo’s platform.
Good idea selling mini-cars in other parts of the globe, if only our governments would give us tax cuts and special parking spaces for them
04/21, 1:51 PM
posted by:
shaver
In America we have mini cars. We just call them motorcycles.
04/21, 1:56 PM
posted by:
TOZO
Yeah, RWD? Are you sure?
04/21, 4:09 PM
posted by:
maximus
bug with a smiley face! LMAO!
04/21, 4:12 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
I can’t believe it, I have found my dream car… Can you say Barrett Jackson in 30 years.
04/21, 5:52 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
The solution to the underpowered, mundane minicar can be found by going to Youtube and typing “Hayabusa + Smartcar.” It’s a marriage made in heaven.
04/21, 8:38 PM
posted by:
autonut
It is RWD, ’cause the engine is in trunk. I think it will be better then not-so-Smart. It will have a bigger engine, and in Smart it is Mitsubishi mill anyway. Also, I suspect Mitsu will source a bit better tranny then in Smart.