Mitsubishi has introduced two new versions of its famous electric model, the i-MiEV.
To help the model compete with new competition such as the Nissan Leaf, the Japanese car maker has developed a new budget version of the model called the i-MiEV M and a model with a longer driving range and higher spec trim called G.
The new budget model, set to arrive in Japanese showrooms on July 25, now costs just 2.6 million yen (£20, 020) down from 3.8 million. After state subsidies, that brings the price down to just 1.88 million (around £13,860)- that compares to around 2.99m Yen (£21,592) for the Nissan Leaf. To reduce the price of the model, though, Mitsubishi had to compromise the driving range slightly-reducing it to around 75 miles from around 100 miles for the previous model.
The G model on the other hand, will offer a better driving range than the original model. Due to arrive in showrooms from August, this model has a suggested retail price of around 3.8 million yen (£29,260)and can travel 110 miles on a full charge. The new luxury model also benefits from a more comprehensive equipment and trim specification and ‘MiEV Remote System’ that allows the owner to set the time he wants battery charging to start and finish and to pre-activate the climate control system before entering the car.
So far Mitsubishi is thought to have sold around 10,000 i-MiEVs since the model went on sale in 2009. It aims to sell 6,000 this year in Japan alone.
