All-New 100% Electric-Powered Mitsubishi i Earns Impressive EPA Rated 62 Mile/98 Mile LA4 Mode Range and 112 MPGe Rating
Jul 7, 2011
CYPRESS, Calif., July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) has seen its all-new Mitsubishi i battery-powered electric vehicle rated to deliver a best-in-segment “fuel” efficiency as determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the areas of both mile-per-gallon equivalency (MPGe) and driving range.
The 100% electric-powered Mitsubishi i has earned an EPA-rated 126 MPGe in city driving and 99 MPGe out on the highway (112 MPGe combined). Additionally, the EPA has also awarded the stylish and fun-to-drive electric vehicle (EV) a “real world” driving range of 62 miles. The “real world” EPA driving evaluation incorporates battery-sapping segments of aggressive driving and operating the vehicle in higher ambient temperatures with the air conditioning on.
Additionally, the EPA has rated the vehicle’s LA4 driving cycle range at 98 miles. The EPA LA4 driving cycle test covers a distance of approximately 7.5 miles and includes numerous brief stops along the route to mimic in-town driving and its accompanying start/stops for traffic signals. Mitsubishi has worked to improve the driving range of the 2012 Mitsubishi i: The 98 mile range is attributed to software upgrades and a revamped regenerative braking system.
“We feel that with the combination of capability, affordability, and high level of efficiency offered by the 2012 Mitsubishi i will prove very appealing to consumers considering EV transportation,” said Yoichi Yokozawa, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America.
With a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $27,990 for the base ES model before a federal tax credit of $7,500 and various state financial incentives (subject to availability of funding), the Mitsubishi i is the most affordably-priced mass-produced electric vehicle available in the United States.
Among the vehicle’s long list of standard amenities are an energy-efficient electric air conditioning with micron filter, speed-sensitive Electric Power Steering (EPS), driver seat heater and LED rear combination tail lamps. Advanced safety features including dual-stage supplemental front air bags, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard passengers, Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control Logic (TCL), 4-wheel Anti-Lock Braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), high voltage cut-off system and an Approaching Vehicle Audible System (AVAS) are also included on every Mitsubishi i model as standard equipment.
Log on to i.MitsubishiCars.com for more information and to learn how to pre-order this groundbreaking energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly new vehicle from one of Japan’s leading auto manufacturers.
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About Christopher DeMorro
This is great (both the car itself and the MSRP) and it looks like a car that would be great for people who love the outdoors. Seems like it could compete against the Honda Fit, which is also going electric.
Mitsubishi is definitely probing to see what the lowest entry point is for the EV market sector. Both in dollars and in range.
The EV motorcycle folks have already established that even just a 40-mile real-world range bike (like a Brammo Enertia) have their uses. So while a 62 mile real-world range obviously isn’t going to suit every car owner’s needs, there is precedent out there that SOME people will find this enough. Mitsubishi doesn’t have to sell a car that every single person will buy in order for iMiev sales to be successful, just like Ford’s F350 dually diesel won’t work for every single person either, but it is also successful.
What will really be cool is when Mitsubishi builds their electric EVO replacement using the AWD drivetrain they showed in the iMiev Sport concept car.
The future looks pretty good.