Mitsubishi
i MiEV Sport Air Concept
Blending
sporting heritage with EV leading expertise, Mitsubishi Motors has just taken
that upside down view to create the clear removable top Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport
Air Concept, premiered at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.
A
joint effort between Mitsubishi Motors design studios in Okazaki (exterior),
Okazaki and Cypress, California (interior) as well as Tokyo (execution), the
zero CO2 emission Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Air Concept is a relative to the
acclaimed and equally zero CO2 emission 2007 i MiEV Sport show car.
A
sports car of a new kind, Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Air Concept also presents an
unusual and very aerodynamic teardrop-shaped profile and cab forward proportions
making the best use of its 2,550 mm wheelbase over an overall diminutive length
of 3,650 mm.
Just
as for the forthcoming production i MiEV, this generous wheelbase put the
175/50 R 17 wheels at each corner for the sake of driving dynamics and - in
conjunction of the rear-midship layout, an optimum use of the available
interior space for 4 passengers (2+2 seating).
Inside,
the mesh "ventilaio" trim uses a high-contrast color scheme of
greyish blue and "grege" (an intermediate color between grey and
beige). With the use of blue illumination for the instruments and interior
lighting this two-tone scheme imparts an advanced and high-tech look to the
cabin while at the same time producing a relaxing and reassuring atmosphere.
Mitsubishi's proprietary Green Plastics are used for the carpeting, the seat
back panels and side covers.
Indeed,
Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Air Concept offers a welcoming ambience to create a
comfortable and restful space. The wrap-around cockpit design, on the other
hand, is styled to alert the driver to the high performance potential of the
car the moment he sits behind the wheel. The
major controls and switches are all ergonomically grouped around the shift dial
- with additional controls subsumed into a single touch-panel display - making
for more positive location and operation by the driver.
In
particular, it uses a more powerful version of i MiEV's permanent magnet
synchronous electric motor for even faster standing and passing accelerations -
an EV trademark - than the standard i MiEV with 82 ps and 230 Nm.
The
powertrain components including the motor and inverter are arranged beneath
the luggage compartment. As such, together with the aluminum rear suspension -
they contribute to a good weight distribution (50% front - 50% rear).
