Tokyo Preview: Mitsubishi i-MiEV Cargo concept ready to move your eco-friendly goods
Alongside its production i-MiEV people-mover, Mitsubishi will be showing another baker's dozen of new vehicles in its display at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show next month. On display will be several production cars as well as two brand new concepts based on the i-MiEV powertrain, including the i-MiEV Cargo seen here.
Looking something like a larger, more modern Nissan S-Cargo, it's a smaller option for folks who might not need something as big as a Ford Transit Connect. Whether for small business duty or family recreation, the Cargo adds a big box of usefulness to the basic MiEV platform. And yet it's very funky, like a Citröen C15 for Mars. It's cute and functional and we can't see any good reason why Mitsu shouldn't build it. There's a rather short presser after the jump and a gallery of high-res pics for you to peruse below as well.
Gallery: Mitsubishi i-MiEV Cargo Concept
[Source: Mitsubishi]
MITSUBISHI MOTORS LINEUP AT THE 41ST TOKYO MOTOR SHOW
Tokyo, 30th September 2009 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will be showing a total of 16 cars at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show in October. Among cars on display at the Mitsubishi Motor stand include two concept cars developed to a "The EV*: Its dawn and future" theme: the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV and the i-MiEV CARGO, the i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle for which the company is currently accepting pre-orders for the start of sales to individual customers in April 2010; and 10 current production vehicles that qualify for eco-car tax incentives in Japan. The 41st Tokyo Motor Show will be held at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture just outside metropolitan Tokyo, open to the public from October 24 through November 4, with press and media days October 21 and 22.
*electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid vehicle
WORLD PREMIERE: i-MiEV CARGO
Derived from the production i-MiEV, this concept maximises the outstanding environmental performance and economic efficiency characteristics that define the EV and at the same time adds a generous amount of rear free space to extend the range of uses to which it can be put by corporate users and self-employed operators in particular. The rear space features space-efficient cubic dimensions to allow the user to exercise their imagination fully in adapting it for whatever use he/she chooses. The result is a concept for an EV that meets user needs for a variety of situations: from business use, where maximum payload space is required, to leisure and other individual owner uses.
i-MiEV CARGO
i-MiEV CARGO (SHOW MODEL)
1. Design
The i-MiEV CARGO's unique styling was developed around a "joint" design concept as it links the i-MiEV's curvaceous front section with a square rear end to give the vehicle a distinctive road presence in a wide variety of situations. Inside, the clean and simple styling eliminates extraneous elements and details to improve usability and create an interior space characterised by its free-thinking design and originality.
2. Luggage compartment
Measuring 1350 mm wide by 1180 mm deep and 1100 mm high and having a flat floor, the cube-shaped luggage compartment at the rear of the vehicle allows every inch of available space to be utilised. The height of the compartment floor has been designed to facilitate loading and unloading of luggage and make it more user-friendly.
i-MiEV CARGO SPECIFICATIONS
| Overall length |
3395 mm |
|
Overall width |
1475 mm |
|
Overall height |
1860 mm |
|
Wheelbase |
2550 mm |
|
Track F/R |
1310 mm / 1270 mm |
|
Occupants |
2 |
|
Motor |
Permanent magnet synchronous |
|
Max. output |
47 kW |
|
Max. torque |
180 Nm |
|
Max. cruising range |
160 km |
|
Drive train |
Rear wheel drive |
|
Tire size |
Front: 145/65R15; Rear: 175/55R15 |
ENDS
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Shiftright 2:44PM (9/30/2009)
Looks like a porta-potty caught mid way morphing into an i-Miev, or an i-Miev getting absorbed by a porta-potty. Failing....
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biggins 2:46PM (9/30/2009)
AAAAGGGHHHH!!! MY EYEEEESSS!!!!!
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RetardedSparks 2:49PM (9/30/2009)
Bastard child of a Fit and Element.
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Motor_Yakuza 2:49PM (9/30/2009)
This thing can't be used for big stuff, It can deliver pizza, flowers and small stuff like that.
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Arkz 2:59PM (9/30/2009)
BWAHAHAHAHHAHHAHHAHAHHAHAA! Are they actually serious? That thing looks like it's going to break in half if you put anything heavier than some pillows into it. And if not, what the hell could you transport with an extremely ugly, electric SmartCar with a box in the back?
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Mattias 3:21PM (9/30/2009)
What's so funny about this? It's a typical urban delivery vehicle. Pizza, flowers and pharmacies are usually delivered by vehicles with less than 400kg payload. Typically cars like the Ford Fiesta panel van or the Opel Corsa panel are used for this job.
Mattias 3:14PM (9/30/2009)
Reminds my of my Peugeot 205 Multi:
http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Datei:Peugeot_205_Multi_Durisotti.jpg&redirect=no
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inline6 3:42PM (9/30/2009)
I get that this is a commercial vehicle, and that appearance is well down the list of priorities...
...but this has GOT to be the silliest-looking vehicle I've ever seen. Or at least, this side of whatever the latest Pope-mobile is.
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pmgpmg 4:17PM (9/30/2009)
Nice, but how much cost a new Windshield when replaced?
Honestly, very nicer than the Jeep used by the Post office...
There was some rumour that the prius would be offered in different body forms, such as utitlity version. Any news about it?
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mr.ed 4:29PM (9/30/2009)
Windshield size not as high as you might think. Bottom portion black plastic. One difficulty seems to be rear sightlines. The bottom of the rear light looks to be about drivers' eye level. If sold as a truck, the rear bumpers are okay, but will need upgrading for auto use, and mirrors will have to be much bigger to be legal. Also. the taillights will be eaten by salt in some climates, figure two years until they're inoperable. They'll have to be higher to be seen, anyway.
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guybot 5:45PM (9/30/2009)
I feel like I need to find a giant door to hold open with it.
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toronado455 7:03PM (9/30/2009)
I like it! I think it looks like a mini semi tractor! Would look really cool with a matching trailer behind it!
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toronado455 8:47PM (9/30/2009)
I just noticed... front tires: 145/65/15! Why so tiny?
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Nick 3:00AM (10/01/2009)
At least the Pope now has something more economical to wave from now
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hart1957 5:18AM (10/04/2009)
And I thought my Opel Corsa based Holden Combo Van was ugly!
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