Mitsubishi To Show Tiny Car in NY
Published March 15, 2008
Unlike the i-MIEV, the gas-powered i-minicar is a production model that has been selling in Japan since 2006. With its planned American debut, some are now speculating that Mitsubishi intends on making it available in the U.S.
Mitsubishi will show its ultra-compact i-minicar next week at the New York International Auto Show. The stylish little vehicle is a gas-powered version of the slightly-better-known i-MIEV electric car concept, which will also be on display at the show. Unlike the i-MIEV, the 'i' is a production model that has been selling in Japan since 2006.
The four-seater i-minicar utilizes a lightweight aluminum chassis. It is powered by a three-cylinder 64-horsepower gas engine, combining a turbocharger with variable valve timing to achieve approximately 55 miles per gallon. Top speed is approximately 90 miles per hour. Though highway-capable, the 'i' is ideal for city driving with its concise overall length of 133.7. inches—28 inches longer than the Smart ForTwo and a foot shorter than the Mini Cooper—and a tight 13 foot turning radius. ABS and Electronic Brake Distribution come as standard safety features.
American consumers thirsty for greener car alternatives may want a definitive answer on when the i-minicar and/or i-Miev wil be introduced in the United States. But that question is not likely to be answered in New York or anytime soon.
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In the meantime, you can just go out and buy a Toyota Yaris Liftback 2 door, get 34 mpg in a car that is just as small and probably much less expensive than this car.
Its comfortable, economical and fun to drive. I drive an '07 Prius and hers is an '07 Yaris. Both get great gas mileage.
My wife drives hers and loves it. According to her, its just plain cute.
I like the Yaris but 34mpg isn't especially great for such a small car. 55 mpg is great. Fantastic even. Or much better yet, the electric version. If they bring the electric here, it may well be my first brand new car purchase.
I drive a 1999 Mercury Tracer that has survived 4 deer strikes, needs a tune up and hauls over a quarter of a ton of fun to work. It still gets over 33 mpg.
I think the deer strikes have made the Tracer more efficient.
If they actually sell this thing, it gets better mileage than a Smart, has much more utility, and looks just as goofy. Not bad for a city car.
True, 34-35 mpg is not as good as 55 however, what will the i-Miev cost? The Yaris was $12,000 and nicely appointed with A/C, MP3 plug & AM /FM/CD, cruise control and automatic trans. On the highway it can get 39-40 mpg! Not bad for a gas only car. Of course, it would be nice if it were a hybrid but that will come in the future.
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