Mitsubishi claims its Miev (i) is the “Most Popular Car on the Planet.”
Whether you believe that claim or not, there is one fact not in dispute: the i is a trend-setter among electric automobiles.
For automotive buffs like me, this is one of the most-exciting times in automotive history, and the i is one of the shining examples of the ingenuity that automakers are tapping into.
Even Mitsubishi’s marketing shows the creative energy propelling this venture:
“If electrons are the lifeblood of the Mitsubishi i, our proprietary Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle (MiEV) technology is the brain. A child of four decades of research, the MiEV operating system constantly regulates the major components of the all-electric drivetrain to achieve the maximum eco-fficiency, so acceleration is always smooth and energy is always optimized. The Mitsubishi i could quite possibly be the brainiest car on the planet.”
Mitsubishi is not blowing exhaust when it says the i is a product of 40 years’ worth of work. Here’s a brief chronology:
- 1970 — Mitsubishi develops its first electric vehicle, the Minica EV
- 1994 — Mitsubishi FTO sets lithium ion record in 24 hours
- 1999 — Eclipse EV participates in Shikoku EV Rally
- 2005 — Lancer Evolution EV developed
- 2011 — The “Most Likeable Car on the Planet” hits the U.S.
Impressive, but how can Mitsubishi call it The Most Likeable Car on the Planet?
“Is it because the internal combustion gasoline engine has been entirely replaced with a zero-emission 100 percent electric motor?” the company asks. “Or is it because the Mitsubishi i’s smart, functional design is also attractive? Or because it’s powerful and large enough to carry four people, yet the most efficient car in its class, getting a combined 112 MPGe? Or maybe because it’s a high-tech piece of gadgetry that’s affordable enough for nearly anyone?”
I give.
“We believe it’s all of the above,” Mitsubishi humbly notes, with the marketing slogan of “more miles on fewer volts.”
“The 100% Electric Mitsubishi i is the most-efficient vehicle in its class because it’s smart on so many levels, starting with its unique operating system — our exclusive MiEV technology — which smoothly and efficiently distributes energy throughout the car,” according to the Tokyo, Japan-based company. “It’s got a compact design and lightweight, yet strong body. Regenerative brakes that turn braking into energy. And the ability to choose from three driving modes for most efficiency.”
Following are the modes, with Mitsubishi’s explanations:
Eco
“Driving the car in Eco allows you to minimize your energy usage. It slightly reduces overall power output which conserves energy and increases the regenerative braking capabilities. The Mitsubishi i’s shift selector offers a choice of three driving modes, so you can choose between maximum fun, maximum economy and maximum regenerative braking to manage your energy use behind the wheel.
Brake
“When you take your foot off the accelerator, you will have a stronger regenerative brake. So every time you coast, drive downhill or brake, you’re providing full power with the strongest calibration of regenerative braking capabilities.
Drive
“This is the standard mode and provides full power access and normal regenerative braking effort. So, step on the pedal, and feel the power instantly surge through the car.”
In case you don’t know what regenerative brakes are, what they do is recapture a portion of a vehicle’s kinetic energy. That energy is then converted into electricity that is then used to help recharge the vehicle’s batteries.
OK, but what does it look like?
“Like nothing you’ve ever seen before, and the reason is simple: It’s not a gasoline-powered car so it doesn’t need to look like one,” according to Mitsubishi. “Designed around people, not mechanical systems or engine blocks, the Mitsubishi i has lines that will turn heads. And it makes a statement you can be proud of.”
The company’s claim is true. My wife and I think we recently saw one of these in Capitola, and it definitely stood out.
Sharp-looking and pleasantly different.
And smart.
Because the motor is so quiet, Mitsubishi developed an acoustic system that will help alert pedestrians to the car’s presence with what the company calls “a pleasant, perceptible sound at low speeds.”
That may help with insurance. It could save lives and reduce or prevent injuries from collisions.
Just as I found out how spacious the Prius was when my wife and I purchased one, consumers will find out that although the “i” is compact, it is roomy inside.
“It’s cleverly designed to be compact on the outside, for efficiency’s sake, but roomy on the inside,” the company notes. “With the electric motor in the rear, the battery under the floor, and the wheels pushed to the corners, it opens up a lot of room for you and your passengers. Free range elbows are always better.”
To cut down on the energy used to heat the car, Mitsubishi’s solution is, once again, smart.
“A heating system uses a lot of energy,” it says, “so we’ve installed a seat warmer {for} a more efficient heating option.”
Mitsubishi said the the warmer will keep the driver more “toasty while using less juice.”
What about range?
Sixty-two miles is average, making it a great primary car for many people, and probably an even better second car. Within a few years, I can see many households with two cars converting to at least one electric vehicle because of savings, performance and reliability.
“It’s great for most commutes or errands, and can charge to 80 percent in about a half-hour at a public quick-charging station when equipped with quick charge port,” according to Mitsubishi. “The best part is, you’ll never have to choose between regular or premium unleaded.”
For the mileage geeks out there, here is an explanation of the new mileage acronyms:
“MPGe stands for ‘miles per gallon equivalent,’” Mitsubishi said. “It’s a new ranking system developed by the EPA to measure the efficiency of electric/alternative energy vehicles, much like ‘miles per gallon’ explains the efficiency of gas-powered vehicles with a simple number.
“So what does our EPA-leading 112 MPGe9 rating tell you? It’s rather good news. It means that the energy present in one gallon of gasoline (if you converted that gallon into electricity) can send the Mitsubishi i a whopping 112 miles. That’s not only astounding, it’s the reason why we scored first-place honors in the EPA’s annual Fuel Economy Guide for 2012. And it’s all thanks to our super-efficient MiEV operating system.”
Mitsubishi has, in my opinion, the standard boring colors of white, black and gray, but it has added a beautiful purple. You can actually see what the colors look like on Mitsubishi’s Web page illustrating them.
You can also add graphics to the i, which are demonstrated on another Mitsubishi Web page.
What about charging? Charging times may vary for each user, but following are the three ways to charge the vehicle with Mitsubishi’s explanations:
Level 1
“Our on-board charging system allows you to charge your Mitsubishi i in a variety of locations. The portable charging cable plugs into a standard 120V/15-amp dedicated household outlet, protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter. It takes approximately 22 hours to charge.
Level 2
“Using your Mitsubishi i as an everyday car? We recommend installing a fast, convenient home-charging system. Developed by Eaton, a global leader in electrical components, the 240V outlet gives you a charge in just seven hours.
Level 3
“Your Mitsubishi i can be equipped with an optional quick-charger port. So you can plug in, grab a cup of coffee, and be 80 percent charged in just half an hour.”
The base price starts around $29,125, but with a $7,500 federal tax credit, that base price drops to $21,625. In the dealerships I reviewed online, most of the I’s were priced around $30,000 to a bit more than $32,000. However, be sure to deduct the federal tax credit from those prices.
