Mitsubishi shows revamped 'innovative' EV

Thu, Mar 5th, 2009

'Leccy Tech Mitsubishi has whipped the dust covers of the latest iterations of its iMiEV – the MiEV bit stands for 'Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle' – at the Geneva Motor Show.

The iMiEV and it's more sporty sibling, the iMiEV Sport Air – the former is officially a "show model", the latter a "prototype" – are both rear wheel drive electric vehicles powered by 330V lithium-ion battery packs.

In the iMiEV, the battery pack powers a 47kW/180Nm (63bhp/133lbft) electric motor while the unit in the Sport Air is uprated to 60kW/230Nm (80bhp/170lbft).

Though not immediately obvious to the naked eye, the Europeanised iMiEV is subtly different from the Japanese versions seen so far. Front and rear tracks have been widened and front and rear overhangs have both been extended to given better pedestrian and occupant protection in case of collision, Mitsubishi said.

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