- Now available in two trim levels: Easily affordable "M" and Highly capable "G" -
Tokyo, July 6, 2011 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that it is to offer the i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle in two trim levels. The entry-level "M" will be available at the readily affordable price of \1,880,000 after receipt of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's eco-car subsidy. The higher-level "G" will sport a more comprehensive equipment and trim specification with extended cruising range per charge and the "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. The M model will debut in Mitsubishi dealer showrooms throughout Japan on July 25 and the G model in the middle of August carrying a price tag ranging from \2,600,000 to \3,800,000 consumption tax inclusive.
When MMC first started delivering the i-MiEV ultimate eco-car to corporate, governmental and local authority users in July 2009, it was the first auto manufacturer to offer a car that fully addresses the issues facing the automobile today and including environmental pollution, global warming and exhaustion of petroleum-based energy supplies. To promote EV ownership on Japan's roads, the company started sales of i-MiEV to individual customers in April 2010, reducing the ex-subsidy price from \4,599,000 to \3,980,000. Since then the company has sold around 4,000 units in Japan and has exported a total of over 10,000 units including those supplied to PSA Peugeot Citroen.
Reflecting the views and wishes of customers over two years of sales who were calling for a longer cruising range and lower price, the major change seen in the new i-MiEV is the introduction of two trim levels to give the customer a choice. In addition, basic vehicle performance and the equipment specification have been upgraded to realize a significant improvement in product content. The cruising range per charge has been extended by linking brake pedal usage to the regenerative braking system while Active Stability Control (ASC) is now fitted as standard. The "MiEV Remote System" factory-fitted option gives the owner the convenience of using late-night and other off-peak electricity to charge the battery.
In addition to the promotion of solar and wind power and other renewable energy sources and the near-future realization of the smart grid, much attention is also being focused on the power storage capability of high capacity EV batteries as a power source for use in major disasters and other emergencies. Today more and more people are looking to the EV both as a means to address environmental issues and also to address the pressures on the demand and supply of energy. To meet these expectations, MMC is pushing forward research and development into related technologies. The company currently offers, as a dealer-fitted option, the AC Power Supply EZ adaptor that allows i-MiEV's batteries to be used to power domestic electrical appliances up to a rating of 100W. And the company is aiming to bring to market during fiscal 2011 an adaptor that will enable i-MiEV's batteries to power domestic appliances up to a total rating of 1500W.
1. Trim levels
(1) Entry-level M
The newly offered M trim level is targeted as an entry-level model for a wide spectrum of drivers including minicar owners. The use of a 10.5 kWh drive battery and the careful tailoring of the equipment and trim specification have made it possible to offer M at a much more accessible price. (The actual price to the customer after receipt of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's eco-car subsidy will be \1,880,000.)
The M model delivers ample performance for everyday minicar use, such as running errands like local shopping and running children to school and back. (JC08-cycle range per charge: 120 km.)
(2) Higher-level G
Inheriting the original i-MiEV's specification, the G is offered as a higher capable trim level and targets customers with a keen interest in environmental issues and in advanced technologies. Product content has been significantly raised with the use of LED headlamps and rear combination lamps, 15-inch alloy road wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob and other high-grade equipment. G also features a navigation system and heated seats (driver and front passenger) as standard and offers all this at a price lower than that of the original i-MiEV. (The actual price to the customer after receipt of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's eco-car subsidy will be \2,840,000.)
Using the same 16.0 kWh battery as the original i-MiEV, G now realizes around 20 percent* increase in its single charge range (J08-cycle range of 180 km). Together with the expansion of charging facilities at expressway service stations and rest areas, this gives it fully practical day-trip capability. (*JC08-cycle comparison.)
Factory-fitted options available for the G model (on cars built in October onward) include a Premium Interior Package that further enhances the classy look and feel of the interior, and the "MiEV Remote System" that features "Timer Charging" and "Pre-activated Air Conditioning" which allows the owner to start up the climate control system before entering the car.
Improvements to the MiEV OS (MiEV Operating System) integrated vehicle management system mean that both trim levels now employ a more effective regenerative braking system which increases the energy recovery bias when the driver operates the brake pedal. This results in more deceleration energy being recovered and increases the single charge cruising range by about 20 percent.
(2) Upgraded safety specification
Both trim levels are fitted as standard with Active Stability Control (ASC). This system promotes more stable driving by helping to prevent changes in vehicle attitude and loss of traction caused by slippery road surfaces or sudden steering inputs.
Both trim levels are fitted with larger door mirrors to give improved rearward visibility.
(3) Improved equipment specification
The G model is fitted with heated driver and front passenger seats as standard.
The Mitsubishi Multi-entertainment System (MMES: 7-inch display, solid state drive, navigation system) that was a factory-fitted option is now standard equipment on the G model. It is available on the M model as a factory-fitted option.
A new hard disk drive navigation system specifically designed for EV's is available as a dealer option. EV-exclusive features of the system include: Battery charging facility location search; Maximum economy route search; and Running economy status.
[The following two factory-fitted options will be available on cars built in October onward]
MiEV Remote System. Exclusive to the G model, this factory-fitted system allows the driver to operate the following systems from outside the car if the regular charging cable is plugged in:
a. Timer Charging: This allows the driver to set the time he wants battery charging to start and finish with convenience of using late-night and other off-peak electlicity to charge the battery.
b. Pre-activated Air Conditioning: This allows the driver to use power supplied through the normal charging cable to operate the car heating, air cooler and defroster and create a comfortable interior environment before he starts his journey.
c. Energy level gauge: The current battery charge status is displayed on the MiEV Remote.
Premium Interior Package. Exclusive to the G model, this factory-fitted package gives the
interior an elegant and composed ambience. The top of the dashboard, the door trim and the seat fabric use a dark brown treatment which blends tastefully with the exclusive matt black-finish center panel. The instrument dials and door handles feature silver accents. The dashboard uses a soft-look paint and with the exclusive door trim fabric creates a classy effect that is appealing both to the eye and to the touch.
(4) Use of Green Plastic*5
Both trim levels use a new seat upholstery fabric made from a mixture of PET (polyethelene terephthalate) resin and cotton. The result is a reduction of around 20 percent in carbon dioxide emissions over the full lifecycle (from raw material extraction to scrapping) of the vehicle compared with 100 percent PET upholstery. (*5 MMC's generic term for plant-based material technology.)
(5) Other features
For regular battery charging, both trim levels are fitted as standard with a special AC 200V cable (15Amp) which now features a control box that allows the charge status to be monitored. (This cable connects to an exterior socket made by Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. and specially designed for EV charging use.) An AC 100V cable (10Amp) is available as a factory-fitted option.
The two trim levels are offered in a total of seven body colors. The original Raspberry Red Pearl, Mystic Violet Pearl and Cool Silver Metallic/Black Mica colors have been discontinued.
a. Monotone colors: White Solid, Cool silver Metallic, Black Mica.
b. Two-tone Type A (additional cost): Red Solid/White Solid, Cool Silver Metallic/White Solid.
c. Two-tone Type B (additional cost): White Pearl/Mint Green Solid, White Pearl/Ocean Blue Metallic.
Both trim levels are available with the dealer option AC Power Supply EZ adaptor which supplies AC 100V power from the interior accessory socket. (This can also be used to power domestic appliances up to a total rating of 100W.) The adaptor exploits the advantages of the EV and allows i-MiEV to be used to power electrical appliances without the generation any exhaust gases.
3. Sales information
Sales target: 6,000 units (fiscal 2011)
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)*7
Trim level
Price of vehicle (incl. consumption tax)
M
\2,600,000
G
\3,800,000
N.B. Prices are exclusive of recycling surcharge, insurance, taxes *8 (but inclusive of consumption tax) and registration costs.
*7: i-MiEV qualifies for "Subsidies for measures designed to promote introduction of clean energy vehicles," currently implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. For fiscal 2011, intending owners are eligible to receive a maximum subsidy of JPY 720,000 for the M trim level (JPY 740,000 when equipped with the factory-fitted Quick Charger) and of JPY 960,000 for the G trim level on approval of an application submitted to the Next Generation Vehicle Promotion Center.
*8: Under current Japanese tax incentives to promote the ownership of eco-cars, i-MiEV is exempt from vehicle acquisition tax and vehicle weight tax normally collectable on purchase of a new vehicle.
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