New York Auto Show: Mitsubishi i and i MiEV
Since Mitsubishi first introduced the i concept back in 2003 it has been the subject of much speculation. Would it come to America? Would it be sold in the U.K.? Is it even any good? And that's just the gas version. The electric version, the i MiEV, has caused even more confabulation. Soon we will have our own opportunity to get up close and personal with these little machines when they make their North American debut at the New York International Auto show this coming week.
Hopefully, we'll even get news from Mitsubishi about their plans for selling these cars in the U.S. I mean, they can't just wave them under our noses and then whisk them away back to Japan. I think they've noticed that 42,000 people have put deposits down on a Smart ForTwo that gets the same mileage as the i but holds two fewer passengers for about the same price. I also think we'll be paying close attention to what side of the car the steering wheel is on.
Gallery: Mitsubishi i City Car
Gallery: Mitsubishi i
[Source: Kicking Tires]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave B 9:22PM (3/16/2008)
I'd really like the opportunity to buy the MiEV in the US. I could care less about the gasser. This car is the here and now, and is reasonable and practical. PRETTTY PLEASE!
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jeremie 9:58PM (3/16/2008)
I am waiting to buy a new car just because the MiEV could come over. The first company to get a mainstream EV will get my money... Hopefully it will be Mitsubishi with the MiEV.
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Mark 10:51PM (3/16/2008)
I'm with jeremie. The first company to produce and SELL mass market EV's to Canada will get my money. Every car company should be racing like mad to get their own EV's out to the mass market first. Who ever brings out a reliable EV to North America (Both the U.S and Canada), will in fact be selling every EV that comes off the assembly line.
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Karl-Uwe Strunzen 12:12AM (3/17/2008)
Same here. If I've understood correctly Europe should be getting their MiEV around 2010. Looks like the wait is almost over in Europe. By 2010 or sooner Europe should have the Renault ProjectBetterPlace EV, the Pininfarina-Bollore EV, the Fiat camless900cc+Electric hybrid, the Lumeneo Smera, 2 Think EV models, etc. etc. So it looks like things are finally starting to happen...
In the meantime Spain and France have now leading the way with heavy-duty eco-rebate systems (which penalise drivers of enormous monstrosities..i.e. German cars) and the UK announced this week they will be following suit.
I daresay things are starting to look brighter...!
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T 8:55PM (3/17/2008)
I love the looks and concept of this thing, gas or electric. But read the review of the gasoline version at http://www.whatcar.co.uk
That might change your mind - they gave it 1 out of 5 stars. The minute Americans see such a small car doesn't have side airbags, it will be deemed unsafe.
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global 6:12AM (3/20/2008)
"The minute Americans see such a small car doesn't have side airbags, it will be deemed unsafe."
Mitsubishi is a true global car manufacturer, which customizes its product lines for each market. Safety is one of Mitsubishi's priority for the new products it released since 2007 in the US. I highly doubt they will sell any future vehicle which is deemed unsafe by American standards. Those display vehicles you see in autoshows are show cars, the final production models (if they ever market it) will of course be configured differently.
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global 6:16AM (3/20/2008)
"I love the looks and concept of this thing, gas or electric. But read the review of the gasoline version at http://www.whatcar.co.uk"
Here's a quote from that site ("expert" reviewer gave the i 1 star for performance):
"Adequate in town but underpowered on the motorway"
What did that idiot expect from a 660cc engine?
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