The Grayline » Mitsubishi http://the-grayline.com The fine line of automotive news and opinion. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:26:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 i-MiEV Coming To US Gas Powered http://the-grayline.com/2009/11/24/i-miev-coming-to-us-gas-powered/ http://the-grayline.com/2009/11/24/i-miev-coming-to-us-gas-powered/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:26:37 +0000 Christopher http://the-grayline.com/?p=1632 Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

i-MiEV Coming To US Gas Powered

]]> Over the summer I reported on Mitsubishi working on an all electric mini car that would be competing in the Asian market.  The i-MiEV was going to be a zero emissions, 100 mpg, electric car.  These have been around for decades and they are more commonly known as golf carts.  But I digress.

Mitsubishi has now announced that they are attempting to bring the i-MiEV to the US market, a full 18 months ahead of schedule.  However, they do not intend for it to be competing on the same block that it is currently in the Asian market, meaning this little sled will be gas powered.  Sorry 15 mile commuters, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, if it makes it to the US early, will only be an electric hybrid and not a full electric car.

The implications of releasing the Mitsubishi i-MiEV gas vehicle in the US early is that it may be successful.  If it does become popular you can probably kiss the all electric version good bye, unless you are doing your own car importing.

Even by luxury golf cart standards the current offering of the i-MiEV in Japan is expensive, expect MSRP to be around $16,000.

i-miev

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

i-MiEV Coming To US Gas Powered

]]> http://the-grayline.com/2009/11/24/i-miev-coming-to-us-gas-powered/feed/ 0 Mitsubishi Urges EV Chargers http://the-grayline.com/2009/07/04/mitsubishi-urges-ev-chargers/ http://the-grayline.com/2009/07/04/mitsubishi-urges-ev-chargers/#comments Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:35:38 +0000 Christopher http://the-grayline.com/?p=1487 Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Mitsubishi Urges EV Chargers

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Fuel Efficient Sports Cars

Mitsubishi announced that it would be releasing it's iMiEV Electric car and is hoping to get some chargers throughout Japan.  Specifically Mitsubishi is trying to get EV chargers in parking lots and any public spaces where these cars may frequent.  Electric cars have a limited range, so parking lots would be a good place for people on longer trips to stop by and charge up before heading home.

Furthermore it would show the cars success if more chargers were placed throughout the country.  If everywhere you looked there was a charge station for an EV vehicle, wouldn't you want one?  As it stands now, the only place people will be charging the Mitsubishi iMiEV will be in their own garages and driveways while they sleep.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Mitsubishi Urges EV Chargers

]]> http://the-grayline.com/2009/07/04/mitsubishi-urges-ev-chargers/feed/ 0 Mitsubishi Electric Mini Car http://the-grayline.com/2009/06/12/mitsubishi-electric-mini-car/ http://the-grayline.com/2009/06/12/mitsubishi-electric-mini-car/#comments Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:29:03 +0000 Christopher http://the-grayline.com/?p=1431 Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Mitsubishi Electric Mini Car

]]> Mitsubishi is working on entering the plug-in electric hybrid car market with a big (or little) bang.  The Mitsubishi i MiEV is the latest creation in smart car technology that is promising the sky in terms of gas mileage at a whopping 100 mpg.  But let's look at what it means to get this kind of eco friendly transportation.

First of all, getting 100 mpg is just an arbitrary number.  You may remember me reporting back a few days ago about a Raser Hummer that was created to get 100 mpg.  Essentially these smart plug-in style hybrids are technically getting infinity miles per gallon, if you stay within the battery's charge range.  However, the efficiency of the tiny motors become more realistic after the charge has worn out.  The idea however, with the i MiEV is that most consumers don't drive over 40 miles per day, so the battery limitation is no problem.

Another kind of half truth is that the Mitsubishi iMiEV emits zero emissions, which is true, again if you stay within the cars battery charge radius.  Once the Mitsubishi battery is used up, the tiny motor is used to push it down the road and then the emissions start up just like any other internal combustion motorized vehicle.

Lastly, the price tag for this car or oversized bicycle is a whopping $45,000.  Depending on which side of the green fence you are on, this may or may not be worth the investment.  How long and how many miles would it take before this car starts paying for itself?  Well, if you only drive less than 40 miles per day, as the target market should, then you are looking at a looonnnggg time.

It's fine if you want to buy green vehicles and especially brawny golf carts, just make sure you buy them for the right reason.  I can just see the complaints and lawsuits rolling in once people realize it's not exactly as advertised.

mitsubishi-imiev

Video of the Mitsubishi i MiEV Hybrid in action.  Short clip from the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show and driving on a test track.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Mitsubishi Electric Mini Car

]]> http://the-grayline.com/2009/06/12/mitsubishi-electric-mini-car/feed/ 1 Evolution Of The Mitsubishi Eclipse http://the-grayline.com/2008/07/01/evolution-of-the-mitsubishi-eclipse/ http://the-grayline.com/2008/07/01/evolution-of-the-mitsubishi-eclipse/#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:43:14 +0000 Christopher http://the-grayline.com/?p=214 Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Evolution Of The Mitsubishi Eclipse

]]> The Mitsubishi Eclipse has been around for quite some time, actually first manufactured in 1990 and was built under 3 different names.  The Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, and Plymouth Laser were all the same with different brandings.  In addition to different labels we've also seen some great performance versions, even the first generation Eclipse had a turbo version, the Eclipse GS-T.

Here we are 18 years later and more than just the cosmetics have changed on this 4 cylinder, cult inducing, small size car.  Below is a stroll through memory lane with the Mitsubishi Eclipse and where it came from to where it's going.

First Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse First Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse Second Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse Second Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse Third Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse Third Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse Fourth Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse Fourth Generation Mitsubishi Eclipse

Check out more information about the changes the Mitsubishi Eclipse has gone through over the years at Wikipedia.

Mitsubishi Eclipse on eBay

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Evolution Of The Mitsubishi Eclipse

]]> http://the-grayline.com/2008/07/01/evolution-of-the-mitsubishi-eclipse/feed/ 1 2008 Mitsubishi Prototype-S http://the-grayline.com/2008/02/26/2008-mitsubishi-prototype-s/ http://the-grayline.com/2008/02/26/2008-mitsubishi-prototype-s/#comments Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:02:27 +0000 Christopher http://the-grayline.com/2008/02/26/2008-mitsubishi-prototype-s/ Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

2008 Mitsubishi Prototype-S

]]> It's a new racy hatchback in response to the failed acceptance of the last 'sport-back' Lancer that was available in the U.S. Equipped with a turbo charged 2.0 4 cylinder, capable of 230+ hp.

2008 Mitsubishi Prototype-S

2008 Mitsubishi Prototype-S

The part that sucks, is that the U.S. never gets a potent finished model like this. Hopefully it won't be too dumbed down by the time it hits domestic dirt. :)

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

2008 Mitsubishi Prototype-S

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