Mitsubishi developing RWD subcompact world car
Mitsubishi's president, Osamu Masuko, addressed the assembled masses in Beijing to inform them of plans to create a new subcompact car destined for Europe, China and Southeast Asia. The new platform will fit the standard dimensions of a Kei car in Japan (no more than 11.2-feet long and five-feet wide) and will come equipped with either the Japanese-mandated 660cc engine or, in markets outside of Japan, a 1.0-liter engine. Power will be sent to the rear wheels and the architecture will be flexible enough to be sold in several other markets. Masuko didn't mention the possibility of exporting the model to North America, but our friends abroad will be able to purchase the new subcompact in 2010.
Gallery: Mitsubishi i Turbo - Live in NY
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Throwback 8:48AM (4/21/2008)
Doesn't that describe the "I"?
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kooldino 9:13AM (4/21/2008)
Time to drop an 4b11T motor from an evo x into this badboy. haha.
If you're crazy enough to consider that, come see us at http://www.evoxforums.com
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DanMan 9:35AM (4/21/2008)
Rear drive, huh? Do they give an award for world's shortest drive shaft?
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Jason 9:38AM (4/21/2008)
I'm going out on a limb here but I'm willing to bet it's going to be rear engine, and have CV shafts.
naggs 12:56PM (4/21/2008)
like the vw up
Steve in TN 4:40PM (4/21/2008)
Jason may be correct. As much as I prefer RWD, why on earth would they put one in a micro-car? It's made to order for FWD in addition to traction concerns. But Jason has a point - RWD with rear-engine will have some real space benefits.
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Temple 11:33AM (4/21/2008)
Being that the Mitsubishi "i" is one of the best city cars out there its not surprising. What is surprising is that it took so damn long. They had so many concepts built around the "i" but none of them came to fruition.
In fact, during the time the "i" has been in market, VW has picked up the idea of a cheap mid-engine RWD/AWD city car with a small kei-type engine and repackaged it as the UP.
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Derek 11:56AM (4/21/2008)
Sounds nice, will it be priced less than the (ridiculously expensive) Smart car? Something this size with a true manual trans and a reasonable pricetag is very tempting.
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saken 1:47PM (4/21/2008)
What is a point to make a RWD car with engine this small ?
It is not offense, but really why RWD not FWD - is there any reasons ? (I think 660cc is not enough to drift :)
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