Autoblog

Mitsubishi i-MiEV recalled for air bag safety issue

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Mitsubishi, Canada, Electric

A minor but important problem with the sensors in the self-diagnostic software used by the Safety Restraint System (SRS) system in some Mitsubishi i-MiEV models has led to a recall notice from Transport Canada and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall affects 49 vehicles in Canada and 261 in the States. According to NHTSA, "incompatibility between the air bag sensors and the self-diagnostic software may deactivate the frontal and side airbag system."

As a result, "the side and curtain air bags may not deploy in a crash for which those air bags were intended to deploy, increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle occupants." And that's a bad thing. See recall notices for both Canada and the United States below.

Continue reading Mitsubishi i-MiEV recalled for air bag safety issue

Mitsubishi i-MiEV recalled for air bag safety issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First photos of U.S.-spec Mitsubishi i-MiEV revealed ahead of LA debut

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hatchback, Mitsubishi, Electric

U.S.-spec Mitsubishi i-MiEV - Click above for high-res image gallery

We first saw sketches of what Mitsubishi's i-MiEV might look like when it arrives in the United States, and now we have the first official images a week before the car's public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Sure, the production-ready i-MiEV you see here loses many of the aggressive-looking elements of the preview sketch, but Mitsubishi has indeed followed through on its promise to offer more robust dimensions and an upgraded interior.

The U.S.-spec i-MiEV is 11.2 inches longer, 4.3 inches wider and 0.2 inches taller than the JDM version. We're glad that Mitsubishi has added a lot of length and width while only minimally increasing height, since that should beef up the rather narrow i-MiEV's stance here on American roads. Inside, the interior looks substantially more comfortable, with a two-tone color scheme and a redesigned center stack, encompassing updated audio and HVAC controls.

Mitsubishi is still targeting an on-sale date near the end of 2011 for the all-electric i-MiEV, with prices coming in below $30,000 (before government rebates). Hit the jump for Mitsubishi's official press blast.

Gallery: U.S.-spec Mitsubishi i-MiEV

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading First photos of U.S.-spec Mitsubishi i-MiEV revealed ahead of LA debut

First photos of U.S.-spec Mitsubishi i-MiEV revealed ahead of LA debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are you the U.S. widebody Mitsubishi i-MiEV?

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Mitsubishi, Electric

U.S.-spec Mitsubishi i-MiEV renderings - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mitsubishi will be launching its all-electric i-MiEV in the United States next year, though it will be substantially updated from the current model sold overseas. In addition to a slightly wider shape, we can expect better interior amenities with more creature comforts and a higher level of fit and finish.

We've stumbled upon one of Mitsubishi's business plan presentations on the automaker's global corporate site, and therein lies two renderings of what the upgraded U.S.-spec car might look like. It appears that the too-cute bubbly proportions of the current i-MiEV will remain intact, albeit with a much more aggressive front fascia and wider track. As we noted in our review of a JDM-spec i-MiEV, added width would indeed make the diminutive hatch feel more planted on the road, and while we rather like the design of the current car, the revised styling is sure to be more attractive to the vast majority of U.S. shoppers.

Look for the production U.S.-spec i-MiEV to debut sometime next year. Mitsubishi is still targeting a price of under $30,000 (not including government incentives) when the car hits dealerships at the end of 2011. Hat tip to Ryan!

Gallery: U.S.-Spec Mitsubishi i-MiEV Renderings

Gallery: 2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (JDM): Review

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Are you the U.S. widebody Mitsubishi i-MiEV? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (JDM)

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Mitsubishi, New Car Reviews, Electric

A Bubbly EV For The Road Ahead

2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (JDM) - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's an interesting realization that occurs when you drive an electric car. After all, EVs act just like normal vehicles powered by an internal combustion engine, they're just a bit quieter and you can't drive for great distances at a time. But as you travel along in an EV, you pass by gas station after gas station and it finally sets in - your car has rendered the fuel pump obsolete. Gas stations to EV owners are nothing more than places to buy cheap coffee and cigarettes.

As we work to further saturate our automotive landscape with efficient, eco-friendly misers, a few automakers think they've found the answer for how to best disguise the EV setup in a car that won't stick out like a sore thumb. The Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf take on the shapes of a sedan and a hatchback with very minor touches to let other drivers know that something special lies under the hood. Mitsubishi and its forthcoming i-MiEV, however, blows that all out of the water. Driving this car on the road is like parking a Bugatti Veyron on a used car lot - it gets a lot of attention.

The i-MiEV, which is based on the Mitsubishi i kei car (we still aren't very fond of the name), has been sold in Japan since mid-2009 and Europe is slated to get the bubbly EV later this year. As for North America, it's expected that we'll get the i-MiEV in the Fall of 2011, though it will be slightly updated from the Japanese-spec model you see here. We recently had the opportunity to spend a week with a JDM-spec i-MiEV to see what daily life with the EV is like. Is Mitsubishi's pint-sized electric car ready for the United States?

Continue reading...

Gallery: 2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (JDM): Review

Continue reading Review: 2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (JDM)

Review: 2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (JDM) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mitsubishi could kill off Galant, Eclipse by 2013

Zach Bowman — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Japan, Crossover

Mitsubishi Eclipse - Click above for high-res image gallery

Things aren't looking good for the Mitsubishi lineup of American-built vehicles. According to AutoWeek, the Japanese automaker is channeling all of its resources into building a new global small car. That means that between now and 2012, we won't be seeing too many updates to the likes of the Galant, Endeavor, Eclipse or Eclipse Spyder. All of those past-their-prime vehicles ride on the same platform and are built in the company's Normal, Illinois manufacturing facility. As of right now, AutoWeek says that the Japanese automaker hasn't decided what to build at that plant once cars like the current Eclipse go the way of the dinosaur.

Mitsubishi has been planning a new global car for a good while now, and while details are still murky at the moment, we're told to expect a fuel-thrifty 1.0 or 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood. The car is expected to show up in either late 2012 or early 2013, which leaves Mitsubishi to soldier on with only two other planned additions to its lineup between now and then - the i-MiEV electric vehicle and the Outlander Sport.

Us? We're a bit more pessimistic. If cash-strapped Mitsu offs a significant portion of its lineup amidst slumping sales, will a new inexpensive small car and the Outlander and Lancer lineups make U.S. dealers enough money for them to stay in business?

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: Mitsubishi could kill off Galant, Eclipse by 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mitsubishi i-MiEV to be upgraded for the U.S.

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Mitsubishi, Electric

Mitsubishi i-MiEV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mitsubishi is getting ready to roll out its electric i-MiEV in the United States, which is expected to arrive in late 2011. When it does land on our shores, it will be larger than its Japanese- and Euro-spec cousins. Gregory Adams, head of marketing and product planning for Mitsubishi Motors North America, states that the changes were required to meet U.S. crash regulations and to conform to our super-sized tastes.

In addition to a roomier i-MiEV, U.S.-spec cars will feature an upgraded interior and a greater number of standard features. The electric egg-bus is expected to ring the register for less than $30,000, without the deduction of $7,500 for the electric vehicle federal tax credit.

The European-spec i-MiEV will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month and is expected to be sized and outfitted exactly like the version currently on sale in Japan.

Gallery: Mitsubishi i MiEV - Live in NY

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Mitsubishi i-MiEV to be upgraded for the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi announces UK pricing for i-MiEV, £33,699

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Mitsubishi, UK, Electric

Mitsubishi i-MiEV - click above for high-res image gallery

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV isn't getting any cheaper as availability expands beyond Japan and the next market to get the lil' electric runabout will be the United Kingdom. Including the 17.5 percent value added tax, the i-MiEV will run British buyers a cool £33,699 before a £5,000 government subsidy. That equates to about $50,500 at current exchange rates, and even bearing in mind the UK's inflated auto prices, it still seems well above the pre-subsidy price in the low $40K range in Japan.

On the EU test cycle the range estimate has dropped from the 100 miles measured in Japan to only 80 miles and real world results will likely be less than that.

Even with an electrical operating cost of about $214 for 12,000 miles of annual driving, it's going to take a long time
to come out ahead financially. The standard gas engined i is not available in the UK, but the sub-compact Colt starts at just £8,999. On the other hand, early adopters are helping to subsidize the future, if they can afford the present.

Gallery: LA 2009: Mitsubishi i-MiEV

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading Mitsubishi announces UK pricing for i-MiEV, £33,699

Mitsubishi announces UK pricing for i-MiEV, £33,699 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Mitsubishi launches production of the iMiEV in Japan

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Japan, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi i MiEV - click above for high-res image gallery

Mitsubishi has launched series production of its iMiEV electric car at its Okayama, Japan factory. That makes the tri-diamond brand the first major automaker to kick off full scale production of a new EV, though it will be followed by many other automakers over the next two years. The automaker plans to build about 2,000 units through the remainder of this fiscal year and then crank that up to 5,000 next year. The first cars are going to corporate fleet customers but retail sales are expected to start later in the year.

The iMiEV has a range of about 100 miles from its lithium ion battery pack. The batteries are the result of a joint venture between Mitsubishi and GS Yuasa. Factoring government incentives available in Japan, the $45,660 iMiEV will end up costing about $31,300 at current exchange rates, which is a bit higher than the $27,000 price previously rumored. No decision has been made yet on when the car will be offered in the U.S. market, but we do know it will make its way here sometime. First, Mitsubishi needs to develop a production left-hand drive version.

Gallery: New York 2009: iMiEV

[Source: Nikkei]

REPORT: Mitsubishi launches production of the iMiEV in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2009: Mitsubishi iMiEV Sport Air streamlines the bubble

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:19:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Budget, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Green, Technology, Mitsubishi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mitsubishi iMiEV Sport Air

Mitsubishi revealed the latest iteration of its iMiEV Sport this morning in Geneva, the Sport Air. This year's version is marginally longer (20 mm) and taller for what Mitsubishi describes as a "more technical" look to the car's teardrop shape. While the new concept doesn't look dramatically different, some of the contours are a bit sharper, and solar power cells are embedded in the lower portion of the windshield and the removable glass roof.

The iMiEV Sport Air uses an aluminum space frame to carry its lithium ion battery and electric drive system, which help limit mass to just 2,072 pounds. The motor gets a bump from the standard iMiEV's 47 kW to 60 kW which helps acceleration, and the range climbs from 100 miles to 120 miles, although Mitsubishi has declined to specify whether the new battery is larger.

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Geneva 2009: Mitsubishi iMiEV Sport Air streamlines the bubble originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi focuses development on 'green' cars, plug-in hybrid coming in 2013

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Green, Mitsubishi

Click above for a hi-res gallery of i MiEV Sport Air renderings

When the average enthusiast thinks of Mitsubishi, the first thing that jumps to mind is likely the Evolution, but the Japanese automaker's bread is buttered by the sales of large SUVs. This means that profits are pretty tough to come by these days as anything that guzzles gas has rapidly seen itself falling out of favor. In light of this fact, Mitsubishi now says that it has halted development of everything that isn't eco-friendly. SUVs and large cars are out; electric cars, plug-in hybrids and small cars are in. What does this mean for future developments for the Evo platform? We don't know, but it doesn't sound promising.

According to CEO Osamu Masuko, the automaker can't abandon its SUV roots entirely, so the future strategy will be two-fold: continue to offer larger cars like the Lancer and Galant and four-wheel drive SUVs in hybrid form, while focusing on fully electric machines on the smaller end. The first fruits of Mitsubishi's new green plans may be production versions of the i MiEV electric car, but plug-in hybrid versions of its larger cars and SUVs are likely by 2013.

Gallery: Mitsubishi i MIEV Sport Air

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Mitsubishi focuses development on 'green' cars, plug-in hybrid coming in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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