03/20/2008, 11:06 AM

Crossover

Mitsubishi to produce all-electric i MiEV, Concept CX

Mitsubishi didn’t have the most extravagant press conference of the New York Auto Show, but the Japanese automaker did reveal some interesting tidbits about the possibility of an all-electric vehicle for the U.S. and the production future of its Concept CX.

Mitsubishi’s recently launched i has won several design awards in Japan and is a very effective vehicle for economical transportation. It has a center-mounted fuel efficient gasoline engine — which makes for a spacious interior — but Mitsubishi will soon make the i even more environmentally friendly.

Next year, Mitsubishi will begin selling an all-electric version of the i in Japan, dubbed the i MiEV — for Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle. The i MiEV will use a lithium-ion battery pack to power its electric motor, but Mitsubishi failed to mention how far the i MiEV will be able to travel on a single charge. The i MiEV will take eight hours to fully charge when plugged into a typical outlet, but a quick charge station will be able to fully charge the car’s battery in just thirty minutes.

Mitsubishi says it has no official plans to sell the i MiEV in markets outside of Japan, but it will begin testing a version of the car in the U.S. this fall — indicating that other markets are not out of the question.

Mitsubishi also had its i MiEV Sport concept on hand, but still has no plans to produce the sportier EV.

But the U.S. won’t be completely left out of Mitsubishi’s new vehicle plans. The automaker announced that its Concept CX will make production as an entry-level crossover. The concept is powered by a clean diesel — the same as found in the Concept RA — but Mitsubishi didn’t give any indication as to which powerplants will be available in the road-going car. No word on when the production version of the Concept CX will begin rolling off the assembly line.

 
 

03/20, 11:27 AM

posted by:

Brendino

“entry-level crossover” - that’s such rubbish. it’s a freaking compact hatch. It looks pretty good in person, though, and I wouldn’t mind seeing it Stateside.

03/20, 3:06 PM

posted by:

CleanGTO

If the VW Beetle and the Smart Car had unprotected sex in Tokyo, this would be the illegitimate offspring.

03/20, 4:16 PM

posted by:

audi-lover

they are just copying off of smart with the i MiEV

03/20, 9:26 PM

posted by:

JedS88

There not going to sell it overhear because no one overhear could fit in it.

03/21, 9:53 AM

posted by:

Z06ified

Man, these cars have been beaten hard with ugly sticks.

03/21, 1:08 PM

posted by:

ktulu

this car looks wiered

 
 
You need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.

    

Forgot your Password?

Don't have a user name yet? Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the
confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
 
 
 
  • Login
  • About
  • Contact
Please note that you need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.
  

login
cancel
Forgot your Password?
Don't have a user name yet? Click here to register now.

Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
submit
cancel
Leftlane is the leading source for automotive industry and vehicle news, new car research, future vehicle information, and reviews. Read by car shoppers, driving enthusiasts, autoworkers, executives, and investors, the website is updated throughout the day with the very latest auto news - as it happens.

Leftlane also provides consumers with accurate and media-rich information on every car currently on the market. In-market shoppers can review specs, read overviews, view high-resolution images, watch videos, and estimate pricing. No other automotive publication brings together the same degree of timeliness, thoroughness and accuracy as Leftlane.
 
submit
cancel