We have all been
hearing over the past few years that Hybrids are the way forward, we even agreed
last month when we tried Peugeot’s HYbrid4 technology in the 3008. With an
increasing number of clever Hybrid models cropping up is there still a place
for zero calorie cars such a Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV?
I was nervous
at the prospect of trying an all-electric car which was pretty irrational
really. It’s just comforting to know that under the bonnet you have a
conventional petrol or diesel engine that makes all the right noises and can be
quickly refuelled at my local service station. But still I dealt with the fear
to find out what the i-MiEV has to offer.
What is it?
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| library image |
The I-MiEV is a full electric version Mitsubishi’s i city
car – or Kei car as they are known Japan
– that was launched in the UK
in early 2010. It was the UK’s
first mass produced full Electric Vehicle (EV). When compared to European city
car rivals the i-MiEV’s design is very different as it is rear wheel drive with
its batteries concealed neatly under the rear seats. Even the petrol variant
(simply called i) has its small 659cc petrol engine in the same location. This
enabled Mitsubishi to create a cab-forward, wheel-at-each-corner design with
next-to-no front overhang meaning surprisingly good passenger space. Powering
the tiny i-MiEV is a 49kw permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 188Nm of
torque with a claimed maximum range of 93 miles. Power is delivered through a one-speed fixed
gear CVT transmission with on-board regenerative braking system. There is only
one version on sale which costs £28,990 which with the governments “plug-in
grant” allowance brings the consumer price down to £23,990. Standard equipment
includes leather seats, Kenwood touchscreen navigation/dvd/cd/Bluetooth media
system, reversing camera, air conditioning, automatic lights, LED rear lights
and alloy wheels. Safety kit includes 6 airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist,
Traction Control and Mitsubishi Active Stability Control (ASC)
Rivals: Nissan Leaf,
Peugeot 107, Volkswagen UP!
Key Features- Heated leather seats
- 15” alloy wheels
- Automatic lights
- Electric front and rear windows
- Kenwood navigation/dvd/cd/media system
- ABS, EBD and Brake Assist
- Reversing Camera
- Air conditioning
- 90 mile range (claimed)
Looking at images in magazines is one thing but seeing the i-MiEV in person is quite different, when I first clapped eyes on it I was pleasantly surprised. Here was a diddy little car with some really rather strange proportions, it has no front overhand or bonnet as such, more of a Smart ForTwo front end. The wheels are pushed as far out to the corners of the car as possible with an a-pillar that sweeps seamlessly back towards the rear of the car where a pair of clear light units sit either side of the rear window. Attractive 15” alloy wheels avoid looking too small but what’s most strange is the width of the i-MiEV; or lack of it – at only 1475mm wide compared to its height at 1610mm its one of the most uniquely proportioned cars on the road. We would however leave the garish body stickers on the options list.
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| Unique profile couldn't be mistaken for anything else on the road |
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| Narrow body can clearly be seen at the rear but clear tail-lights an neat spoiler look good |
Inside is a bit of a surprise to those of a nervous
disposition as our test car came with bright red leather not only on the seats
but also on the centre console and gear shifter with matching red stitching.
Some will undoubtedly appreciate the brash interior but we were not keen.
Everything else about the interior is relatively
inoffensive; all of the major controls are where you would expect to find them,
with the exception of the heated seats switch which for some reason is located
under the dashboard. The i-MiEV does without traditional dials and instead has
a simple power gauge which usefully shows when the cars regenerative braking
system is charging its own batteries. There is also an electric meter in place
of a fuel gauge and a separate gauge showing remaining range. Its simplicity is
to be admired.
Sadly the i-MiEV has been left behind the times when it
comes to interior build quality especially compared to recent Mitsubishis.
Although covering the dashboard in leather may look upmarket unfortunately our
test cars had come unstuck so was rippled and looked tatty, also the red
leather covered trim section around the navigation system and heater controls
came off in our hands. Although on delivery we were made aware of the problems
with the leather it still isn’t very encouraging of a car with a list price of
over £20,000. Furthermore everything else in the cabin is made of cheap flimsy
feeling plastic that doesn’t give a solid impression which is a real shame.
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| Colour scheme won't be to everyone's taste, its certainly different. |
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| Gauges couldn't be simpler and work well |
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| Rear accommodation is generous and comfortable seats can be individually reclined |
To drive the i-MiEV is quite different from a combustion
engine car. The complete lack of noise from the powertrain bar a very faint
whir takes some getting used to but not as much as the instant power. At first it’s a little startling as- unlike
conventional engines- electric motors produce their maximum torque – in this
case 180Nm – from standstill making for outstanding performance. Acceleration
is also seamless as the i-MiEV has no gears. Once over this
the rest of the driving experience is relatively normal.
Around town the car is in its element, its narrow body and
peppy performance is a real bonus making darting around easy. Comfort at these
speeds is also good with a supple ride that deals with urban potholes well and
a hushed cabin. Take the i-MiEV out of the city and its lack of dynamic prowess
becomes evident. Faster A-roads are ok, it’s able to pick up speed nicely and
is happy to cruise along at the national speed limit providing it’s not too
windy. When it is the narrow tracks front and rear make the i-MiEV all too susceptible
to crosswinds trying to blow it off course.
Country roads are perhaps best avoided completely as the
cars tiny 145 width tyres at the front make it feel overly springy and
completely lacking in stability. There is also a hair-raising lack of grip
around corners causing bucket loads of understeer that the stability control
fails to reign in.
With a claimed range of 93 miles from a full charge – taking
7 hours if charging from your main electric at home- the i-MiEV could be the
perfect car for the majority of daily journeys. Whilst with us the most we
managed to get out of the batteries was 67 miles when driven very carefully
with the gauge in Eco mode and around 50 miles when not. This means that for my
daily commute of 20 or so miles per day I would need to charge the car every
day which wouldn’t really be practical. For those who -unlike me -live in the
city the range would be perfectly adequate especially as more Fast Charge
points pop up around the country resulting in a 30 minute wait for batteries
charged to 80%.
It’s also worth
considering that a full charge at home only costs £1-£2 dependant on electric
tariff which means over 12,000 miles the cost would only be £270; a massive
saving over petrol-powered cars, add in road tax and congestion charge exemption
along with free parking in a number of locations and the steep asking price
starts to look more attractive.
Words and Photos by Rob McSorley
Technical Data
Price as tested: £28,990 (£23,990 including
government contribution)
Engine: 49kw (66bhp) permanent magnet synchronous
motor - 0-62mph: 13 secs - Maximum Speed: 87 mph -
Economy: 93 mile range (claimed) - Emissions: 0g/km
(Band A) - VED (12 months): £0
Dimensions: Length: 3475mm - Width: 1475mm - Height: 1610mm
- Wheelbase: 2550mm
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is a thoroughly though-provoking ownership
proposition offering city dwellers a real alternative to conventional petrol
engined cars with its low running costs. It’s a spacious car with plenty of
room for four adults and decent luggage space. Add in peppy performance and
good levels of comfort around town and its case becomes even stronger. Unfortunately
there are a handful of glaring weaknesses that the i-MiEV has. Its limited
range and extortionate asking price will be a turn-off for many. As will its
lack of ability to deal with a variety of driving environments such as country
roads that other city cars do so well. Whether the tiny running costs can
offset the high asking price is a real talking point however you have to admire
Mitsubishi’s bold move launching the i-MiEV and there is no doubt that it will
- and probably already has- paved the way for a whole new generation of EVs.
You will like
Funky looks
Cabin Space
Silent, swift performance
Tiny running costs
You won’t like
Lack of dynamic ability
High price
Poorly built cabin
Special Thanks to;
Mitsubishi Motors, Watermoor,
Cirencester, GL7 1LF
All photographs and text are the exclusive property of Rob McSorley (except where stated otherwise). They are made available for your personal viewing enjoyment only. No images are within the Public Domain. The photographs may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, manipulated, projected, used or altered in any way without the prior permission of Rob Mcsorley (mrrobertmcsorley@gmail.com).
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