Mitsubishi Reveals electric i-MiEV production version

To mark the United Nations' World Environment Day, Mitsubishi has specifically revealed photos and details of the production model of new i-MiEV electric car. Select customers will be able to take delivery of the car on lease as soon as July, ten months before the car officially hits the market.

Although lower emissions if very much the trend these days, Mitsubishi faces an uphill battle with this vehicle. Japanese consumers are likely to suffer sticker shock when they see the tax inclusive price of ¥4,599,000 ($47,544). Potential new customers will most certainly weigh their needs when they see the cost.

Based on Mitsubishi’s “i” minicar, the i-MiEV has a lithium-ion battery center-mounted under the floor, with power being sent to a unit mounted in the boot. Mitsubishi claims a range of 160 km (100 miles) when the car is driven under normal urban conditions. The battery can be recharged to 80 percent capacity in about half an hour when using a 200 V, 50 kW three-phase power source. Using standard outlets, the car goes from empty to fully-charged in either seven or 14 hours, depending on the voltage used. Regenerative braking also helps to recharge the battery pack.

Ultimately, the driver gets a motor rated at 47kW, with 180 Nm of torque available almost immediately. Mitsubishi did not release figures related to either the car's acceleration, top speed, or quarter-mile times. We do know that the driver will have three different drive modes to choose from, including "maximum fun," "maximum economy," and "maximum regenerative."

Inside, the driver will be fed data through an instrument cluster with a few meters we would expect to see on an electric-powered vehicle. Along with power consumption and energy recovery information, the driver is also given information about range, and remaining power. This system is powered by a computer operating system developed specifically for this car. An optional, multimedia system running off a solid-state hard drive is also available.

Colors available on the car include White Solid, Cool Silver Metallic, and Raspberry Red Pearl. Customers can also buy the car in one of five two-tone color setups, including Red Solid & White Solid, Cool Silver & White Solid, White Pearl & Ocean Blue Metallic, White Pearl & Mint Green, and Cool Silver & Black Mica. Headlamps are fully LED, as is the rear lighting clusters.

The initial 1,400 units will be handed over to various corporations and government bodies over the summer in Japan during 2009, all under a maintenance/lease program. However, it anticipates that number will reach 5,000 units in 2010 when sales to individuals are set to begin, and rise to 15,000 in 2011.

Mitsubishi did not give any details on when the car might go on sale outside Japan, but company representatives have already said the the i-MiEV is scheduled to be sold in North America.

Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ-400 coming to the UK in June

The Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 has been rumored for months. Now Mitsubishi officially takes the wraps off this Evolution X FQ-400. But unfortunately it will never make it to the United States, the FQ-400 will be exclusively available in the UK.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-400 is the fastest and most extreme version of Mitsubishi’s motorsport-derived machine. Power comes from a 2.0L turbocharged MIVEC gasoline engine making 403-hp with a maximum torque of 387 lb-ft, the FQ-400 is able to reach 62mph (100km/h) from standstill in an estimated 3.8 seconds before reaching its electronically limited 155mph top speed.

The brutally quick acceleration is aided by the Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) four-wheel-drive system which appropriates power to the wheels that can best use it. Increasing the FQ-400’s cornering ability even further over its FQ relatives is a wider track and lowered suspension featuring Eibach springs and Bilstein Shock Absorbers. Lightweight 18in, nine spoke alloy wheels fitted with Toyo Proxes R1R tires enhance the FQ-400’s grip. The enhanced agility and performance is backed by a revised braking system which uses aerospace grade aluminum alloys and floating sealed discs grabbed by high performance pads.

Getting all that power out of the relatively tiny 2.0L powerplant required major revisions to the base unit. Motorsport specification high-flow fuel injectors are fitted to the aluminum cylinder head and a new hybrid turbocharger is also fitted. The higher specification turbocharger features low-friction bearings, a high temperature turbine and strengthened thrust bearing to increase response and reduce turbo lag. Feeding the turbocharger cooled air, improving its performance and efficiency, is an enhanced intercooler, while the exhaust’s gases flow from the engine via a 3in diameter high flow stainless steel piping and catalytic converter before exiting through a centrally positioned exhaust.

In addition, the Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ-400 is fully loaded with Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, a CD tuner with 30 gig hard drive, a satellite navigation system, automatic lights and wipers, and a host of other tech and comfort features.

Mitsubishi plans on producing just 100 examples of the FQ-400, which will be going on sale from next month in the UK with a price tag starting at £49,999 ($79,641 USD).

Mitsubishi unleashes Evolution X FQ-330 SST

Mitsubishi has added a new model to its already extensive 7-strong model range of Evolution X cars in UK, that’s Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ-330 SST.

Mitsubishi's FQ line of hotted-up rally cars has long been a fan favorite, and for good reason. The latest iteration pumps power to 329hp (242kW) at 6,500rpm and churns torque up to 322lb-ft (437Nm) at a comfortably mid-range 3,500rpm. That's enough to shoot the beastie to 62mph (100km/h) in 4.4 seconds, thanks in part to the super-slick SST twin-clutch transmission.

The FQ-330 SST joins the FQ-300 SST, rated at 295hp (217kW) and 300lb-ft (407Nm) and good for 4.7 seconds to 62mph. Both are electronically capped at 155mph (250km/h) max speed. The FQ-300 starts at £32,999, while bigger brother FQ-330 takes off from £35,999. For FQ-300 SST owners, the car can be upgraded to FQ-330 stats for a fee via a 'power upgrade pack.'

All the extra power in the FQ-330 comes from an improved intake and exhaust and an ECU remap. The intake includes not just the filter element and housing, but a new intercooler piping kit and a racing suction pipe. The exhaust is enhanced from the downpipe through the tailpipe, including new high-flow catalytic converters. Neither the FQ-330 or FQ-300 rival the rumored FQ-400, however.

Other key features of the FQ-330 SST include Mitsubishi's special S-AWC AWD system, 18in Enkei alloys, Brembo brakes, Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, Recaro seats and an ample array of comfort and convenience features including Bluetooth, iPod/MP3 support and satellite navigation. People can also choose from one of four exterior colour options.

The car is available for order in the UK now. It'll cost you £35,999, which is £3,000 more than an FQ-300 SST, and £1,000 more than and manual FQ-330 GSR, which isn't too bad an outlay for a very effective piece of transmission technology.