Mitsubishi i-MiEV to Join U.K. Police Agencies; Rollout Begins in Oz

The first full-production i-MiEVs arrive in the U.K. in November and will be on roads in December.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Cargo Concept Close To Production

The i-MiEV Cargo

Mitsubishi is introducing two new concept vehicles at the 41st Tokyo Motor show this month but of the two, it's only for the i-MiEV CARGO that the company is actually taking orders. Both concepts, the PX-MiEV hybrid crossover, and the i-MiEV CARGO are derived from the company's i-MiEV electric vehicle (on sale in 2010), but while the crossover concept adds some perhaps still partially-theoretical hybrid technology and a variety of gee-whiz techno goodies that may or may not eventually be incorporated in a production vehicle, the i-MiEV CARGO simply takes the production-ready MiEV and adds a square cargo-box, rather suggesting that little or no further work needs to occur before it could be for sale.

With its 5'-5" wide, 3'-8" tall box, the i-MiEV CARGO is obviously suitable for a variety of commercial purposes, particularly in larger cities in which pollution is increasingly regulated. Although industry figures continue to disagree about the level of demand we will see for full electric vehicles, this appears to be one EV with undeniable market potential. Which is no doubt the reason the company is already taking pre-orders for possible delivery in April, 2010.

Mitsubishi Presents Concept PX-MiEV Plug-in Hybrid

The theme for next month’s 2009 Tokyo Motor Show is quickly shaping up to be an electric one, with yesterday Honda showing off its new CR-Z Concept 2009 hybrid sports car and today Mitsubishi revealing a new plug-in hybrid concept based on its Pajero SUV.

Powered by the new proprietary plug-in hybrid system, which significantly extends the frequency a hybrid vehicle is driven in all-electric mode, the 2009 Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV promises a fuel economy in excess of 117.6 mpg.

Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid system combines differential electric motors with its Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system and electronically controlled active yaw control. The front and rear wheels are powered by two permanent magnet synchronous motors, while a 1.6-liter four-cylinder MIVEC engine is also used to power the front wheels or act as a generator.

In addition, the vehicle comes with the newly-developed plug-in hybrid system in which electronic circuitry automatically switches to the optimum drive mode for different driving conditions and remaining energy in the drive battery to extract maximum efficiency from the electric motors and from the gasoline engine.

Designers looked at almost every elements of the car in an effort to maximize fuel economy. For example, LEDs were used for the head and tail lamps as they use less power than conventional xenon and halogen units, while the wheel hubs feature a special design that helps improve brake cooling as well as aerodynamic performance.

The interior was designed to give an image of an airplane cockpit, with an instrument panel that envelops the passengers and plenty of LED elements. The vehicle also features a windshield that uses heat-reflecting glass to reduce the amount of heat energy passing through and uses infrared ray blocking glass in the door windows. The body paint also incorporates heat-reflective and insulation technology.

Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV comes with a plug, extra cocochi

Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV

Mitsubishi is previewing its next-generation CUV in the Land of the Rising Sun next month, and like nearly every other concept bound for the Tokyo Motor Show, the Mitsubishi PX-MiEV is packing a number of hybrid technologies to maximize fuel efficiency, decrease emissions and keep performance on par. Plus, the PX-MiEV comes with an added helping of "cocochi" – Japanese for "cozy."

PX is Mitsubishi shorthand for "plug-in hybrid crossover," so a 1.6-liter inline-four powers the front wheels, along with a generator, and a new plug-in system allows users to tap into the grid with either a 100 or 200-volt outlet. The PX-MiEV boasts an EV mode with a 30-mile range which can toggle between front- and all-wheel drive, a series hybrid mode when the juice dries up and a parallel hybrid system when under full load. Mitsu's E-4WD system shuffles power to the rear wheels when needed, using the same S-AWC and E-AYC systems as the Evolution X. The PX-MiEV can send torque left-to-right depending on the conditions, and a new center differential motor (unlike the mutli-plate clutch setup on the Evo) actively tweaks torque output to the rear wheels to increase grip.

Inside, the PX-MiEV sports a spartan interior with a number of technologies to keep occupants happy and healthy, including heat reflective glass and paint, along with individual air conditioners. Active safety systems – ranging from a "Multi-Around Monitor" to a front-facing camera that detects fatigue, then alerts the driver through a series of visual, audio and "vibrational" warnings – are sure to find their way into future Mitsubishi models. All the details are yours for the taking the in press release below the fold.

2009 Mitsubishi Raider Details

The 2009 Mitsubishi Raider is largely unchanged for what is likely its final model year. 2009 Mitsubishi Raider pickup truck is a restyled Dodge Dakota. Raider comes in a single LS trim level. A 4-door extended cab is rear-wheel drive only. The 4-door Double Cab crew cab is available with rear drive or part-time 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but has a low-range gear for off-roading. All 2009 Mitsubishi Raider have a 210-hp 3.7-liter V6. Extended cabs are available with a 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 4150 lb. Double Cabs are automatic only. The only available safety feature is rear-wheel ABS. Traction control, an antiskid system, and curtain side airbags are unavailable. 2009 Mitsubishi Raider performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Dakotas.

2009 Mitsubishi Outlander details

The 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander lineup receives a few changes. This compact crossover SUV comes in ES, SE, and XLS trims, each with a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander's AWD system can be set for front-drive only, for AWD, and for a locked-in 50/50 front/rear power split. The 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander SE trim level replaces the LS. ES and SE versions have a 168-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). XLS has a 220-hp 3.0-liter V6 and a 6-speed automatic. The V6 is not offered on the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander ES or SE. Maximum towing capacity is 3500 lb. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. The ES seats five. XLS seats up to seven via a 3rd-row bench that folds into a well in the cargo floor. The 3rd-row bench seat is optional on the SE. All 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander are available with a wireless cell-phone link and a navigation system with a 30-gigabyte hard drive for storing digital music files.

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

Mitsubishi has officially confirmed that the five-door Lancer Sportback will be available in the U.S. this summer as a 2010 model.

The five-door Lancer Sportback shares everything with the sedan variant from the C-pillar forward. Behind the C-pillar the Sportback gets a unique rear end. The overall length is slightly longer than the sedan and offers more cargo carrying capacity.

The version to have is the Sportback Ralliart that is powered by a 237 horsepower 2.0L turbocharged MIVEC engine. All-wheel-drive is standard as well as the six-speed Twin Clutch-Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST).