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The
Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II
plug-in hybrid will make its world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Also on the Mitsubishi stand will be the Mitsubishi Mirage compact car, the MINICAB-MiEV light commercial electric vehicle due to be released in the Japanese market in December this year, and the
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
new-generation electric vehicle (EV) which is currently on sale in countries all over the world including in Europe, and is to be rolled out in the United States by the end of this year.
Alongside these will be the RVR compact SUV (
Mitsubishi ASX
in the UK market) powered by a new MIVEC engine that incorporates Mitsubishi’s Auto Stop & Go (AS&G) idle-stop technology, and the Pajero (Shogun in the UK market) SUV powered by a “clean diesel” engine.
The Mitsubishi stand will also feature the MiEV House, a concept of a “smart house” that tackles energy and global warming by managing energy usage between the home itself, “smart appliances,” EVs/plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), and “smart grids” all at the same time through HEMS (Home Energy Management System) and MMC’s own EIS (Electric Vehicle Integration System).
HEMS makes life more comfortable for people living in homes by continually monitoring power available to power being used and optimising both so that effects of energy shortages and energy costs can be reduced. Connected to a “smart home” with HEMS, EIS constantly monitors EV/PHEV battery usage and efficiency (which varies on how the EV/PHEV is driven), feeds this information to HEMS, which then optimises charging from the house so that the EV/PHEV always has enough energy in it.
In addition to the MiEV House will be the MiEV Café, a relaxation space powered by the battery of an electric vehicle parked right beside it. The electric vehicle will power the MiEV Café through a new heavy-duty power supply device (also on display) that enables the supply of up to 1500W from EV and PHEV batteries. The heavy-duty power supply device is to go on sale in Japan in the next few months.
The Mitsubishi Mirage’s design is focused on compactness, affordability, and high fuel efficiency in order to fit the needs of emerging markets as an affordable entry-level model, as well as needs of advanced markets for fuel efficiency and low-CO
2
emissions. In addition, the Mirage features good maneuverability and easy drivability inherent to a compact car while also providing a comfortable interior space for five adults.
MMC has targeted top-of-class fuel efficiency (Japan market version) of 30km per litre through a variety of measures including reduction in weight throughout almost every part of the car, reduction in rolling resistance and higher efficiency through detailed improvements to the engine, transmission, brakes and tyres, and an aerodynamic body that reduces air resistance and drag. The new Mirage is due to go on sale first in Thailand in March 2012.
The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II is Mitsubishi Motors’ idea for a mid-size plug-in hybrid PHEV model that offers a long cruising range demanded by mid-size (and larger) vehicles. The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II contains a state-of-the-art drivetrain derived from MMC’s already existing EV technology that delivers the environmental performance and quietness inherent to an EV in an SUV package that provides more comfortable motoring and allows for higher utility outside of a city commuter.
MMC’s unique plug-in hybrid system fuses EV technology derived from the Mitsubishi i-MiEV with a small conventional engine that features MMC’s latest fuel and environmental efficiency technologies. This combination provides a combined fuel efficiency of more than 60 km per litre while maintaining a cruising range on a par with conventional engine-driven vehicles (over 800 km).
MMC’s plug-in hybrid system uses high-capacity batteries that allow the vehicle to cover over 50 km in all-electric mode alone, allowing it to be driven solely as an EV for most everyday situations. Depending on power consumption and remaining battery charge the system will start the engine automatically as a generator, and the engine can also be used to help drive the wheels if necessary. In addition, with the push of a button, the driver has the freedom to select Battery Drive Mode when he/she wishes to drive quietly and emissions-free (at sufficient battery levels) in residential areas or the countryside using pure EV power. At the same time, the driver can also switch to Battery Charge Mode while on the move, controlling use of battery power and using the engine as a generator to charge the batteries.
A socket fitted to the vehicle allows the electricity stored in the drive batteries to be used to power electric appliances when camping or in other outdoor pursuits, or to provide an emergency power source. In addition, the quick-charge port is vehicle-to-home (V2H) compatible.
Another feature of the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II is its drivetrain which uses a newly developed twin-motor four-wheel-drive system mated to Mitsubishi’s S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) advanced traction control system based on the four-wheel drive technology developed in the Lancer Evolution X models.
The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV
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provides 100% instant off-the-line torque inherent to electric motors, giving it acceleration comparable to that of a 3.0-litre V6 engine.
Mitsubishi ASX
road test
