Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has updated its i-MiEV electric vehicle with two new trim levels, giving the higher-level model an extended range and other enhancements and introducing a lower-spec entry level version.
The entry-level M will sell in Japan at JPY1,880,000 (US$23,200; GBP14,400) after a government eco-car subsidy.
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The higher-level G has more equipment and trim 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 will be in showrooms throughout Japan on 25 July and the G model in the middle of August carrying a priced from JPY2,600,000 to JPY3,800,000.
MMC started sales to individual customers in April 2010 and has since sold around 4,000 units in Japan and exported over 10,000 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,” MMC said in a statement.
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By GlobalDataIn addition, basic vehicle performance and the equipment specification have been upgraded, MMC said, “to realise 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 factory-fitted remote option gives the owner the convenience of using late-night and other off-peak electricity to charge the battery.
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, a feature that proved useful in Japan after the 11 March earthquake/tsunami. MMC is working on an adaptor that will enable an i-MiEV’s batteries to power domestic appliances up to a total rating of 1500W and hopes to launch that this fiscal year.
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 M model delivers ample performance for everyday minicar use, such as running errands like local shopping and running children to school and back and has a JC08-cycle range per charge of 120 km.
Inheriting the original i-MiEV’s specification, the G now adds LED headlamps and rear combination lamps, 15-inch alloy road wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob and other high-grade equipment. It also has a navigation system and heated seats (driver and front passenger) as standard but is priced lower than the original i-MiEV.
Using the same 16.0 kWh battery as the original i-MiEV, G now has around a 20% increase in its single charge range (J08-cycle range of 180km). Together with the expansion of charging facilities at expressway service stations and rest areas, this gives it fully practical day-trip capability, MMC claimed.
Factory-fitted options available for the G model (on cars built from October) include a premium interior package and the remote system.
MMC hopes to sell 6,000 units in Japan in fiscal 2011.
