Specifications:
- make:
- Mitsubishi
- Model:
- i-MiEV
- price:
- $15495
- Transmission:
- single-speed
- Horsepower @ RPM:
- 66
- 0-60 time:
- 13 sec.
Like most electric cars, the i-MiEV is based on a gasoline-powered car — the Mitsubishi i Kei, in this instance — with a few modifications to allow Mitsubishi to squeeze-in an electric motor and a set of batteries. The i Kei was best suited for the conversion, thanks to its long wheelbase and short overhangs that provided decent room for 4 to 5 adults. Additionally, its five-door hatchback design meant there was ample cargo room, as well.
More than the technical drawbacks of an electric car over conventionally powered automobiles is the high cost of manufacturing, which hampers its market penetration. Mitsubishi is striving to get these costs down and appears to have driven them down slightly for 2014, as it has decided to slash the price of the i-MiEV electric car.
With revised pricing and a new list of standard features, how does the i-MiEV stack up against its competition? Read on to find.
Exterior
The
i-MiEV is designed with an aim at increase usable space. The short
overhangs and wide wheelbase gives it a fairly large greenhouse, and the
wide expanse of the raked windshield offers a great view out. This
design feature of the i-MiEV makes it easy to maneuver in city traffic
and parking this car in a tiny space isn’t much of a task.
The
tall-boy design of the car might not be the best to cruise down
Hollywood boulevard, but it will most definitely attract the attention
of passersby — whether it’s good or bad depends on the person noticing
it. This clucky design does have a purpose: maximize interior space with
seating for four fully-grown adults and some luggage. It’s definitely
not here to win any beauty contests.
New Standard Exterior Features For 2014:
- CHAdeMO DC quick charge port
- Heated side view mirrors
- 8A/12A switchable Level 1 charging cable*** (approximate charge time from near empty to fully charged - 22 hours for 8 amp/14 hours for 12 amp)
- Charge port lamp
- Aluminum wheels
- Front fog lights
- New daytime running lights (DRL)
- Black-out door sash trim
Interior
The
i-MiEV is smaller than the Nissan Leaf, but the upright seating
position and loads of headroom make it a good city runabout. The
American version of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV is longer and wider than its
Japanese cousin to better comply with stricter crash-safety regulations.
The added eight inches of length improves legroom, while the extra
width means three people can occupy the back seat — barely.
While
the outside is quirky enough to grab attention — some of which is
unwanted in the i-MiEV’s case — the interior, on the other hand, is
fairly basic. There’s nothing much to say about the dashboard, except
for the center console, which houses the blower controls and air-con
switches, is pretty slick. Just above the center console resides a
multi-information display with integrated satellite navigation.
The
steering wheel is a three-spoke design with silver accents and a large
tri-diamond logo in the center. The instrument cluster provides basic
information, like speed, current gear, battery charge level and an
analog dial, which notifies if the person is driving with a heavy right
foot.
New Standard Interior Features For 2014:
- Driver and front passenger heated seats
- Battery warming system
- Rear door speakers
- Leather-covered steering wheel and shift knob
- Passenger-side vanity mirror with lid
- Numerous decorative color/trim upgrades
Drivetrain
The Mitsubishi
i-MiEV uses a small electric motor mounted under the rear seat. The
motor saps power from a pack of considerably heavy, lithium-ion
batteries that are in a low-slung position, which lowers the center
gravity for better handling. The motor generates 66 horsepower and 145
pound-feet of torque, which is nothing too fantastic, but it’s
acceptable for the type of car. Power is delivered to the rear wheels
via a single-speed transmission.
This car is not meant to do
pedal-to-the-metal sprints, hence 0-to-60 mph sprint time of 13 seconds —
the i-MiEV is clearly not a car for a drag racing.
Battery and Range
Where
this car excels, compared gasoline or diesel powered machines is
emissions. The zero-emissions i-MiEV is rated at 126 MPGe city and 99
MPGe highway. Mitsubishi quotes a total EPA range of 62 miles between
charges.
The i-MiEV’s battery pack can be fully recharged in 22
hours, or so, when connected to a 120-volt domestic supply. It also
accepts a 240-volt supply, which reduces the charging time to seven
hours. On a public quick-charge port, the i-MiEV can be charged to 80
percent of the battery capacity in 30 minutes.
Price
For 2014, Mitsubishi Motors
North America, Inc. have slashed the price of the i-MiEV by $6,130 over
the 2012 model year car. The company also offers more standard features
than before. The 2014 i-MiEV ES model includes CHAdeMO DC quick charge
port, battery warming system and heated side view mirrors now starts at
only $22,995. The government also offers up to a $7,500 credit, which
can drop the net MSRP to only $15,495.
Competition
2014 Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf has been around for some time now, and when compared to the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the Leaf seems like a more grown-up car.
The
Mitsubishi’s tiny proportions are a compromise. The Leaf should be able
to take up the role of a normal family car. That said, batteries in the
Nissan
Leaf will only last for 70, or so, miles, so on the range front, it
isn’t any better. Having said that, it is as practical as any other
hatchback.