Mitsubishi i
Mitsubishi i | ||
---|---|---|
Curb weight 890–900 kg (1,960–1,980 lb) | | |
Chronology | ||
Predecessor | Mitsubishi Pistachio Mitsubishi Minica | |
Successor | Mitsubishi i-MiEV Mitsubishi eK |
The Mitsubishi i (三菱・i, Mitsubishi i) is a
The innovative layout and styling of the i proved an immediate critical and commercial success, exceeding Mitsubishi's initial sales targets by 20 percent and winning thirteen awards in its first year.
Concepts: i, Se-Ro
Two
Explaining the choice of name, the company claimed that "i" could represent the owner (I, the nominative personal pronoun) as an encouragement to personal expression, or innovation, intelligence and imagination, keywords in the car's development.[10] It was also a play on the Japanese word for love, 愛 (pronounced [ai]).[11]
The "i" Concept was powered by a 999 cc powerplant with the company's
The second prototype, called the Se-Ro and exhibited at the 2003
Technical details
Body and dimensions
A lightweight steel (not aluminium) structure and a rear-engined layout allowed Mitsubishi to incorporate a larger front crumple zone, in order to meet current safety legislation requirements without compromising interior space.[1] With no powertrain in front of the driver, the designers were able to shorten the front overhang and lengthen the wheelbase to 2,550 mm (100.4 in), giving greater legroom for passengers than many comparable kei cars whose wheelbase is typically 130–190 mm (5.1–7.5 in) less.[3][unreliable source] The downside of this design was a reduction in cargo-carrying capacity, which was necessarily compromised by the engine's location in the rear.[18]
Drivetrain
The i has a "rear-midship" engine mounted just ahead of the rear
wheels, depending on specification.Suspension, brakes and tires
Specifications
Three individual models, or grades, were available on the car's release in 2006; S, M, and G, in ascending order of price. They all shared the same five-door hatchback body style and turbocharged engine, but offered differing levels of options and standard equipment. In 2007 the base S model was given the new naturally aspirated powerplant, and was positioned below the two new grades, L and LX, whose engine it shared.[21]
Model/grade | Engine | Peak power | Peak torque |
---|---|---|---|
S (2007) | 3B20 659 cc, DOHC, MIVEC | 38 kW (52 PS) at 7000 rpm | 57 N⋅m (42 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm |
L | |||
LX | |||
S (2006) | 3B20T 659 cc, DOHC, MIVEC, turbocharger | 42–48 kW (57–65 PS) at 6000 rpm | 85–95 N⋅m (63–70 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm |
M | |||
G |
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Rear view
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Interior
Domestic and international markets
Annual production and sales
Fiscal year | Production | Sales | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Japan | Overseas | Total | ||
2005 | 19,705 | 16,105 | 3 | 16,108 |
2006 | 31,725 | 29,498 | 454 | 29,952 |
2007 | 12,163 | 15,540 | 892 | 16,432 |
2008 | 8,501 | 8,793 | 267 | 9,060 |
2009 | 6,344 | 6,439 | 36 | 6,475 |
2010 | 4,655 | 4,685 | – | 4,685 |
2011 | 3,651 | 3,828 | – | 3,828 |
2012 | 2,340 | 2,328 | – | 2,328 |
(source: Facts & Figures 2012 [1], Mitsubishi Motors website)
Special editions
From July 25 to 31, 2006 the company displayed a unique Mitsubishi i Hello Kitty edition at the
Other limited production models include the i Play edition, a run of 3,000 cars only available in white or black, and featuring a
Also 100 of the i Kurashiki edition with
1st Anniversary special editions based on the L and M grades were also introduced in early 2007 to commemorate the car's first year on sale.[33]
Electric car version
Mitsubishi has given the i a prominent role in the company's
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car was launched in Japan for fleet customers in July 2009 and for the general public in April 2010.[37][38] Sales to the public in Hong Kong began in May 2010,[39] and a trial began in Australia in September 2010.[40] Sales in several European countries began in late 2010 and between December 2011 and March 2012 for the United States west and east coasts, respectively.[41][42][43]
Awards
The i won the 2007
Aside from the 2006 Good Design Grand Prix, its style won Design Awards from the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame (JAHFA), and the magazines Popeye and Car Styling.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "New concept for the future of small: 'i'" (Press release). Mitsubishi Motors. January 24, 2006. Archived from the original on April 4, 2009. Retrieved August 9, 2006.
- ^ a b c ""i" Concept Test Car". Mitsubishi Motors. Archived from the original on May 6, 2006.
- ^ a b c d Wan, Mark (November 18, 2005). "Mitsubishi i". Autozine. Archived from the original on August 24, 2006.
- ^ a b c Facts & Figures (PDF). Mitsubishi Motors. 2007. p. 39. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2012.
- ^ Rowley, Ian (November 14, 2006). "Mitsubishi's award winning minicar". Businessweek. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007.
- ^ Sey, Euan (June 20, 2006). "Mitsubishi 'i': All round, a very good egg". The Independent. Archived from the original on October 8, 2006.
- ^ a b Mathioudakis, Byron (October 21, 2003). "Tokyo show: Mitsubishi's crystal ball concepts". GoAuto.com.au. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
- ^ "Good Design Grand Prize 2006". G-Mark.org. Archived from the original on August 13, 2007.
- ^ ""i" takes Good Design Grand Prize 2006" (Press release). Mitsubishi Motors. October 25, 2006. Archived from the original on March 28, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2006.
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors chooses 'Outlander' and 'i' as names for new SUV and kei minicar models" (Press release). Mitsubishi Motors. May 23, 2005. Archived from the original on July 20, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2006.
- ^ "Mitsubishi i Concept". Automobile Magazine. September 12, 2003.
- ^ a b c Mitsubishi Motors Technical Review no.16 (PDF). Mitsubishi Motors. 2004. pp. 29–50. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2007.
- ^ "Mitsubish Sero concept for the Tokyo Motor Show". Car Design News. October 16, 2003. Archived from the original on December 7, 2006.
- ^ "Concept Car: Mitsubishi SE-RO". 4Car. November 13, 2003.
- ^ Schaffels, Brandy A. (October 22, 2003). "First Look: Mitsubishi Se-Ro". Motor Trend.
- ^ "Design Concept: Cool & Emotional" (Press release). Mitsubishi Motors press pack, Tokyo Motor Show. 2003.
- ^ Shahmanesh-Banks, Nargess (March 2004). "Going Japanese". Automotive Engineer. Archived from the original on February 14, 2011.
- ^ Sey, Euan (April 26, 2006). "Driven: Mitsubishi i". 4Car.
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors Announces FY2006 First Half Financial Results and Forecasts for the Full Year" (Press release). Mitsubishi Motors. October 30, 2006. Archived from the original on March 28, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2006.
- ^ "Mitsubishi i performance" (in Japanese). Mitsubishi Motors. Archived from the original on February 23, 2007.
- ^ a b "Mitsubishi i specifications" (in Japanese). Mitsubishi Motors. Archived from the original on February 27, 2007.
- ^ Facts & Figures (PDF). Mitsubishi Motors. 2006. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2012.
- ^ "New Mitsubishi Outlander Japan's Best Selling SUV" (Press release). Mitsubishi Motors GB. April 21, 2006.
- ^ "Mitsubishi “i” to go on sale in the UK" Archived February 23, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Automotoportal, February 16, 2007
- ^ Treece, James B. (October 10, 2006). "Waiting for Export". Automotive News.
- ^ "Innovative Award winning i-car Released in New Zealand" (Press release). Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand. December 1, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
- ^ "New model – i". Mitsubishi Motors UK. February 16, 2007. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007.
- ^ "Mitsubishi: i-car and Eclipse coming?". 4Car. March 21, 2006.
- ^ a b "The ultimate kei? Mitsubishi i Hello Kitty 'Princess Kitty' edition", Alex Nunez, Autoblog.com, July 7, 2006
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors lineup" (in Japanese). Mitsubishi-motors.co.jp. January 23, 2007.
- ^ "Mitsubishi 'i (the eye)' "Play Edition"" (in Japanese). Mitsubishi-motors.co.jp. May 17, 2006. Archived from the original on January 26, 2007.
- ^ "Mitsubishi releases jeans-themed "i" Kurashiki Edition", Alex Nunez, Autoblog.com, December 14, 2006
- ^ "Mitsubishi i' Grade/price" (in Japanese). Mitsubishi-motors.co.jp. March 7, 2007. Archived from the original on March 15, 2007.
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors builds new research EV, "i MiEV" for joint research with power companies" (Press release). Mitsubishi Motors. October 11, 2006. Archived from the original on June 14, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2007.
- ^ "Mitsubishi i MiEV Single Motor EV", James Fraser, The Energy Blog, October 12, 2006
- ^ "Mitsubishi i: In Detail", F. de Leeuw van Weenen, WorldCarFans.com, August 18, 2006
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors Begins Production of i-MiEV; Targeting 1,400 Units in Fiscal 2009". Green Car Congress. June 5, 2009. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
- ^ "Report: Mitsubishi i-MiEV on sale in Hong Kong, priced at $50,000 U.S." Autoblog.com.
- ^ "Mitsubishi Begins Sales of i-MiEV to Individuals in Hong Kong; First Individual Sales Outside of Japan". Green Car Congress. May 20, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ "Electrifying news; Sydney Council buysi MiEV electric car". Sydney Central. September 15, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
- ^ Pollard, Tim (March 24, 2010). "Mitsubishi i-MiEV (2011) electric car to cost £39,000". CAR magazine. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
- ^ "Mitsubishi Targets i-MiEV Starting Price Below $30,000". WardsAuto. April 1, 2010. Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ "Mitsubishi i Electric Vehicles Arrive on East Coast".
- ^ ""i" takes RJC Car of the Year 2007" (Press release). Mitsubishi Motors. November 15, 2006. Archived from the original on March 28, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2006.
- ^ "" i " takes "Most Advanced Technology" Special Achievement Award in the Car of the Year Japan 2006–2007" (Press release). Mitsubishi Motors. November 20, 2006. Archived from the original on March 28, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2006.
- J.D. Power Asia Pacific. October 31, 2006. Archived from the original(PDF) on September 27, 2007.
External links
- Official sites:
- "Japan" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 26, 2005. • "Singapore". Archived from the original on June 29, 2007. • "New Zealand". Archived from the original on June 13, 2007. • "United Kingdom". Archived from the original on July 1, 2007.
- "Mitsubishi/Sanrio website" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 23, 2011.
- "2017 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Concept". Mitsubishi Review. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016.