MITSUBISHI MOTORS LINEUP AT THE 41ST TOKYO MOTOR SHOW
Tokyo, 30th September 2009 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will be showing a
total of 16 cars at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show in October. Among cars on display
at the Mitsubishi Motor stand include two concept cars developed to a "The EV*:
Its dawn and future" theme: the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV and the i-MiEV CARGO,
the i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle for which the company is currently
accepting pre-orders for the start of sales to individual customers in April
2010; and 10 current production vehicles that qualify for eco-car tax incentives
in Japan. The 41st Tokyo Motor Show will be held at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba
Prefecture just outside metropolitan Tokyo, open to the public from October 24
through November 4, with press and media days October 21 and 22.
*electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid vehicle
WORLD PREMIERE: MITSUBISHI CONCEPT PX-MiEV
Powered by the new Mitsubishi Plug-in Hybrid System, which significantly extends
the frequency a hybrid vehicle is driven in EV mode, the Mitsubishi Concept-PX*
MiEV† returns fuel economy in excess of 50 km/litre. The Mitsubishi Concept
PX-MiEV is a new-generation concept car that balances high environmental
performance with running performance by utilizing differential motors and
Mitsubishi's all-new S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control), that utilises E-AYC
(Electric-powered Active Yaw Control) which transfers torque to the rear left
and right wheels. Other features include Mitsubishi's cocochi-interior**, which
provides occupants with a comfortable cabin environment, as well as many of the
latest safety technologies.
* PX: Plug-in hybrid crossover. † MiEV: Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle
** "cocochi" is a pun on the Japanese word for "cosy"
WORLD PREMIERE: i-MiEV CARGO
Derived from the production i-MiEV, this concept maximises the outstanding
environmental performance and economic efficiency characteristics that define
the EV and at the same time adds a generous amount of rear free space to extend
the range of uses to which it can be put by corporate users and self-employed
operators in particular. The rear space features space-efficient cubic
dimensions to allow the user to exercise their imagination fully in adapting it
for whatever use he/she chooses. The result is a concept for an EV that meets
user needs for a variety of situations: from business use, where maximum payload
space is required, to leisure and other individual owner uses.
MITSUBISHI CONCEPT PX-MiEV (SHOW MODEL)
1. Design
Solid, Safe, and Simple were the keywords which drove the development of an
exterior design suitable for a next-generation crossover that creates simple
appearance from which all extraneous elements have been pared and that is free
of the "rugged" elements typical in conventional SUVs. The headlamps and rear
combination lamps use LED emitters that give the car an innovative and modern
appearance as well as delivering better environmental performance with their
reduced power consumption. The body uses a newly-developed metal colour that
gives the car a metal shell-like appearance. Combining elements of both spoke
and dish styling, the road wheel design highlights an unprecedented new look to
the body as well improving brake cooling and aerodynamic performance.
The interior was designed to give an image of an airplane cockpit to improve the
driver's concentration, with an instrument panel that envelops the passengers
and utilises seats that keep the passengers firmly in place. In addition, the
entire instrument panel and door trim utilise soft LED lighting that express the
vehicle's innovation and refinement.
2. Mitsubishi Plug-in Hybrid System
The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV's front and rear wheels are powered by two
permanent magnet synchronous motors and is also fitted with a 1.6L DOHC MIVEC
gasoline engine which can power the front wheels as well as work as a generator.
In addition, the vehicle comes with the newly-developed Mitsubishi Plug-in
Hybrid System in which electronic circuitry automatically switches to the
optimum drive mode for different driving conditions and remaining energy in the
drive battery to extract maximum efficiency from the electric motors and from
the gasoline engine. The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV also utilises the MiEV OS (MiEV
Operating System) which selects the optimum drive mode through integrated
control of the EV components and the gasoline engine as well as controls optimum
electrical charge and output in response to remaining battery energy through
constant monitoring of the drive battery. With these, a pleasing, safe, and
comfortable ride is achieved while conserving energy. In addition, to maximise
effective use of the drive battery, the vehicle is equipped with a power supply
mode that allows the use of some battery power to supply domestic appliances or
as an emergency power source in the event of a natural disaster.
* EV mode
At low to middle vehicle speeds the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV's drive battery
powers the front motor using front-wheel drive. When driving on snow, in the
rain or in other low surface friction situations where maximum vehicle stability
is required, the system automatically switches to four-wheel drive mode by
feeding power to the rear wheel motor as well when sensors detect any front
wheel slip.
* Series hybrid mode
When the remaining energy in the drive battery falls to a predetermined level
the system starts the gasoline engine to generate electricity and automatically
switches to the series hybrid mode using the electricity generated to power the
motors. In this mode as well, the system switches to four-wheel drive by driving
the rear motor depending on driving conditions.
* Parallel hybrid mode
At higher vehicle speeds the car is supported by the gasoline engine which
operates more efficiently than the electric motors at high revolutions. In this
mode, the gasoline engine also helps drive the wheels. When the driver makes
sudden lane changes or other manoeuvres requiring greater vehicle stability the
system switches to four-wheel drive by bringing in the rear motor to drive the
rear wheels, improving stability. In addition when overtaking at higher speeds
or in other situations requiring faster acceleration the system switches in both
front and rear motors to provide additional power and assist the gasoline
engine, providing high acceleration.
* Regenerative mode
When the vehicle is slowing or coasting down a long descending slope the system
switches to regenerative mode in which kinetic energy reclaimed from the wheels
is stored in the drive battery.
* Charging mode
As with the production i-MiEV, Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV features a 3-way
battery charging system using either a 100-volt or a 200-volt domestic supply or
a high-power quick-charging station. The system also incorporates a Wireless
Charging Program feature that allows the owner to start charging the battery or
start the air conditioner at a preset time even when away from the vehicle.
* Power supply mode
As a way to maximise the usefulness of the power stored in the drive battery
based on the "Smart Grid Framework," which garners attention as a link in
tackling global warming, when not on the road the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV
allows the owner to store electricity at night and then use that electricity via
the normal charging connector to power home appliances during the daytime when
domestic electricity consumption is highest. This allows the drive battery to be
used as a power source in the event of a natural disaster. Should the
electricity left in the battery fall below a predetermined level, the gasoline
engine starts up and works as generator to maintain the power supply at a fixed
level.
A 100-volt AC auxiliary socket in the rear luggage compartment also allows the
electricity stored in the drive battery to be used to power cooking or lighting
equipment and other appliances when camping or engaged in other leisure
activities.
3. Drive system
Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV uses Mitsubishi's S-AWC integrated vehicle handling
control system which is configured around an E-4WD (Electronically-powered
four-wheel drive) system that controls front and rear motor output to deliver
the optimum front/rear drive torque split. Under the integrated control of the
S-AWC system are E-AYC (Electric-powered Active Yaw Control), which controls
left/right torque split at the rear wheels and the degree of deceleration energy
recovery, ASC (Active Stability Control) and ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
components.
Unlike the AYC system on the Lancer Evolution X which uses a wet multi-plate
clutch arrangement, E-AYC uses a differential motor to control rear wheel torque
split. The use of the differential motor makes for a high-efficiency system with
outstanding response and contributes to the on-demand handling and outstanding
vehicle stability that characterises the S-AWC system.
4. cocochi-interior
Some Mitsubishi Motors production cars already feature the cocochi-interior
which embraces occupants in a pleasantly comfortable cabin environment developed
to a "Clean, Stress-free and Safe & Reassuring" theme. For Mitsubishi Concept
PX-MiEV the cocochi-interior brings a number of new features including: seat
upholstery that deactivates allergens, breaks down VOC's (volatile organic
compounds) and offensive odour molecules as well as killing bacteria; glass that
shuts out UV-A radiation to protect skin from darkening and aging; and a
negative-ion aroma humidifier and oxygen enricher that improve comfort and
reduce fatigue. The original and the new cocochi-interior features provide a
cabin atmosphere that enhances occupant comfort as well as contributing to safer
operation of the vehicle.
5. Cabin heat load reducing technologies
The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV uses a windshield that uses heat-reflecting glass
to reduce the amount of heat energy passing through and uses IR- (infrared ray)
blocking glass in the door windows. The body paint also incorporates
heat-reflective and insulation technology. Inside the vehicle the four seats are
individually air conditioned and cabin humidity is regulated. The adoption of
these heat load reducing technologies allows efficient climate control while
reducing power consumption to the absolute minimum in making for a very
comfortable occupant space.
6. Latest active safety technologies
The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV showcases several new active safety technologies.
* The "New Multi-around Monitor" system uses cameras located at strategic points
on the body to provide the driver with a combined image of the full perimeter of
the vehicle. The combined image is displayed for the driver on a monitor from an
overhead view for improved safety around the perimeter of the vehicle.
* The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV is equipped for the Driving Safety Support
System (DSSS (Level II)) currently being promoted by the Japanese National
Police Agency. In this advanced vehicle-infrastructure safety support system, an
on-board receiver picks up signals transmitted by roadside optical beacons and
the system urges the driver to take extra care when other vehicles or
pedestrians have been detected by roadside sensors and cameras at intersections
and pedestrian crossings.
* Employing a system that uses wireless technology to ascertain the position of
other vehicles and warn the driver when their proximity so requires, the
Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV also supports the Advanced Safety Vehicle 4 (ASV4)
project being promoted by the Road Transport Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of
Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
* The vehicle is also fitted with a Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC*1)
system, employing the road-to-vehicle communications capabilities used in
Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) to determine the position of the vehicle and
whether it is parked or not.
*1 5.8 GHz band two-way wireless communication channels specifically designed
for automotive use.
7. Other features
The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV is fitted with electronically-controlled air
suspension that gives the driver the choice of three ride height modes - Auto,
High, Low - for improved stability over poor surfaces or at high speeds and for
easier access to and from the vehicle.
The concept also uses a new-generation steering wheel switch and control layout
that offers outstanding usability and switch visibility for safer and less
stressful driving. Some of the audio, navigation, and climate control switches
are located on the steering wheel so that the driver can operate them without
having to take a hand off the wheel. Switch operation indicators located in the
instrument panel make it quicker and easier for the driver to visually check and
control the switch positions.
In the Driving Monitor System a camera mounted facing the driver monitors eye
movements to determine their level of alertness. If the system detects a
decrease in their concentration it issues not only audible but visual and
vibrational warnings and also emits a distinctive fragrance to alert him/her to
the situation.
MITSUBISHI CONCEPT PX-MiEV SPECIFICATIONS
| Overall length | 4510 mm |
| Overall width | 1830 mm |
| Overall height | 1655 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2630 mm |
| Track F/R | 1570 mm / 1570 mm |
| Occupants | 4 |
| Motors (front and rear) | Permanent magnet synchronous |
| Max. output | 60 kW (front and rear) |
| Max. torque | 200 Nm (front and rear) |
| 10-15 mode EV cruising range | Over 50km |
| Engine | 1.6L DOHC MIVEC (gasoline) |
| Max. output | 85 kW |
| Max. torque | 125 Nm |
| Generating capacity | 70 kW |
| 10-15 mode fuel consumption | Over 50 km/L |
| Drive train | E-4WD |
| Tire size | 245/45R20 |
i-MiEV CARGO (SHOW MODEL)
1. Design
The i-MiEV CARGO's unique styling was developed around a "joint" design concept
as it links the i-MiEV's curvaceous front section with a square rear end to give
the vehicle a distinctive road presence in a wide variety of situations. Inside,
the clean and simple styling eliminates extraneous elements and details to
improve usability and create an interior space characterised by its
free-thinking design and originality.
2. Luggage compartment
Measuring 1350 mm wide by 1180 mm deep and 1100 mm high and having a flat floor,
the cube-shaped luggage compartment at the rear of the vehicle allows every inch
of available space to be utilised. The height of the compartment floor has been
designed to facilitate loading and unloading of luggage and make it more
user-friendly.
i-MiEV CARGO SPECIFICATIONS
| Overall length | 3395 mm |
| Overall width | 1475 mm |
| Overall height | 1860 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2550 mm |
| Track F/R | 1310 mm / 1270 mm |
| Occupants | 2 |
| Motor | Permanent magnet synchronous |
| Max. output | 47 kW |
| Max. torque | 180 Nm |
| Max. cruising range | 160 km |
| Drive train | Rear wheel drive |
| Tire size | Front: 145/65R15; Rear: 175/55R15 |
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