We’re still months away from getting the Mitsubishi i Electric car, but it’s already getting a refresh in Japan, where it’s been on sale for almost two years (and is referred to as the i-MiEV).
According to a report by Rueters, Mitsubishi is taking a two-pronged approach for the updated egg-shaped EV and will offer customers a choice between a budget and an extended range variant. The low-priced “M” model, priced at 2.60 million yen ($32,000 with current exchange rates), will be equipped with a reduced-capacity lithium-ion battery and will travel up to 120 km (75 miles) on a single charge. The previous model had a sticker price of 3.98 million yen and had a range of 160 km (100 miles). Customers willing to pay extra for added range can now opt for the “G” model, which will cost 3.80 million yen ($46,972) and can travel 160 km (110 miles) on a single charge. Subsidies from the Japanese government significant reduce the costs. The price of the “M” model, for example, goes down to 1.88 million yen ($23,239) when subsidies are taken into account.
photo : 2012 Mitsubishi i, wot.motortrend.com
During a news conference, Mitsubishi President Osamu Masuko stated that the i-MiEV’s lower price is attributed to cheaper batteries, which now cost approximately 50 percent less than they did two years ago.
But while the rest of the world enjoys the choice between two Mitsubishi EVs, our source at Mitsubishi has confirmed that the U.S. will only get one model. In order to better suit American consumers, our verision will be slightly larger than the i-MiEV, though most of the hardware will be identical. That means it will be powered by a 63-hp, mid-mounted motor that will send power to the rear wheels.
Mitsubishi also states that the U.S. spec will received a revamped management and regenerative braking system that should boost efficiency by 20 percent. Due to the upgrades, the EPA has increased the i Electric’s range to 98 miles (EPA LA4 cycle), up from 85 miles on a single charge. The automaker is pricing it at $27,900, but the $7,500 federal tax credit brings the cost down to $20,490. Mitsubishi also says the i Electric will arrive on our shores this November, which is a few months ahead of its originally scheduled U.S. launch. The sooner is definitely the better since the Mitsubishi i Electric will face tough competition from the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt, both of which will already have at least a year head start once the Mitsubishi finally arrives.
Since the i-MiEV’s launch in 2009, Mitsubishi has sold 10,000 units worldwide, not including 4,000 units sold under the PSA Peugeot Citroën brand. With the release of the updated model, Mitsubishi has more ambitious sales figures from now until March 31, 2012; 25,000 units globally (including models branded for Peugeot-Citroën) and 6,000 units in Japan alone.
