NEW AND FUTURE CARS: 2010 Mitsubishi i MiEV - The Cars We Need Now! (from Automobile Magazine)
America is ready for an electric city car, and Mitsubishi, not Toyota, might just be the company to give it to us. Our brief drive of the i MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) during last spring's New York auto show convinced us that this four-door Martian-mobile could play in Philadelphia, if not Peoria.
Like the Japanese-market i Car from which it is derived, the i MiEV has a rear-mounted powertrain. The lithium-ion batteries, which weigh about 450 pounds, are beneath the rear seats, and the electric motor, inverter charger, and other components are under the trunk area. Packaging the powertrain this way lowers the vehicle's center of gravity while maximizing room for passengers and luggage.
The i MiEV moves forward in near silence, with tire thrum pretty much the only sound. This is no sports car, but acceleration to 35 mph is strong and linear thanks to 63 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque. The direct-drive transmission delivers smooth shifts, and the by-wire brakes provide predictable pedal feel and sure stopping, essential features when you're dodging big yellow taxicabs. The brakes also regenerate energy for the batteries, like most hybrid cars. Mitsubishi says the car should manage 80 miles between charges, especially if the Eco mode is selected, which drops power to 43 hp. ... Read the article
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