Mitsubishi Concept CA-MiEV*

*Compact & Advanced technology-MiEV

The suburban EV

Ever since it started R&D on electro-mobility back in 1966, today’s Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) always considered that electric vehicles (EV) should eventually become long-term core products – a view vindicated by recent concerns over global warming.

From the pioneering i-MiEV in 2009 and a self-imposed objective of 20% of EV-based cars by 2020, MMC has already made significant steps in this direction as demonstrated with the all-new Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (“PHEV”) and its most innovative “Dual Design” architecture.

Expanding further, Mitsubishi Motors now explores the full electro-mobility engineering palette – Pure Electric (EV), Hybrid Electric (HEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric (PHEV) - hinted at through two concept cars world-premiered at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, next to the New Outlander PHEV, one of which is the Concept CA-MiEV electric vehicle.

Showcase

Supported by three years of i-MiEV global customer feedback since 2009 as well as continuous progress in battery technology and electric drivetrain, MMC now considers taking pure EVs beyond a mostly urban environment with a next generation compact EV such as this Concept CA-MiEV.

Whilst not planned for production, this concept car was intended as a showcase of the various technologies MMC intends to introduce mid- to long-term across its range of global vehicles.

In particular, this demonstrator can rely on next generation EV systems and high density batteries, light weight as well as advanced aerodynamics to offer a 300 km driving range (or about one week of driving for an average European driver**), perfectly suited for suburban & country daily life.

Further innovative real-life features include magnetic resonance wireless charging technology, smartphone activated functions, etc,..

* Average driving distance in Europe: 14,000 km/year (source: ACEA)

0.26 sleek

Mitsubishi Motors first true concept car in years, Concept CA-MiEV can be understood as a declaration of intent, stressing the return to Engineering’s primacy within the corporation to better serve (global) customer demand.

Already hinted at through the first products of MMC’s latest product cycle (pioneering 44g/km* Outlander PHEV, lightweight 92 g/km* Global Small, etc,…), this creed will be further adhered to with the introduction of next generation technologies throughout the range over the coming years.

Design will play no small part in this new development with a clear emphasis on aerodynamic performance. After Global Small’s segment record 0.27 Cd*, the 5-door Concept CA-MiEV compact hatchback takes the baton with a Cd target of 0.26.

Pebble-sleek, the arrow-shaped Concept CA-MiEV brings a degree of high tech sleekness to small car design, all the way to its unusual canopy sloping rear roof line.

Highly efficient (full flat floor, rear-view cameras, minimal air intakes, rear diffuser,…), Concept CAMiEV is also full of dramatic detailing – from the boomerang-sculptured front and rear lights to the ascending side character line enclosing the rear wheel arches to create a strong forward motion effect.

*EU Specs.

High Density

To power Concept CA-MiEV, MMC inaugurates its next generation high efficiency drivetrain, including:

- All-in-One integrated power unit (80 kW motor + inverter + charger) - to help with energy management, packaging and weight reduction.

Compact flat battery pack – to help with packaging (esp. for possible later applications like range extender, …) and better long term battery performance.

- Magnetic resonance wireless charging technology – to help with user-friendliness, as jointly announced in September 2011* by WiTricity Corporation, IHI Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and currently under investigation and testing.

*http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/publish/pressrelease_en/corporate/2011/news/detailb927.html

- High density energy Lithium-ion batteries – to help with energy efficiency and also with packaging (28 Kwh available).

Connected

Roomy, sleek, lightweight and efficient, a future electric vehicle like Concept CA-MiEV – but also any future ICE, HEV or PHEV Mitsubishi vehicle for that matter) shall also be connected to the rest of the planet, infrastructure permitting, with telematics features such as:

- Automatic e-mailing in case of theft

- Automatic e-calling in case of an emergency

- Remote controlling (engine start/no start, panic alarm, door locking, …)

- Data transfer (maps,…) from smartphone to in-car system

- Remote energy monitoring or pre-heating for EVs and PHEVs (already featured with

Outlander PHEV)

- Etc,…

SOURCE: MITSUBISHI

Two New Concept Vehicles Reveal Future Direction for Mitsubishi Motors at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show

- Vision for future embodied by diesel-hybrid pickup and next-generation all-electric compact -

TOKYO, March 5, 2013 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) unveiled the MITSUBISHI Concept GR-HEV^*1 and the MITSUBISHI Concept CA-MiEV^*2 concept models at the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show^*3 today. In addition to the world debut of these two concept models, which embody MMC's unique next-generation advanced technology known as @earth TECHNOLOGY, MMC will put on display a total of 15 models (nine on press day), including the Space Star (Mirage in other markets), which launched in European markets this February, as well as the Outlander PHEV, which is scheduled for sequential release starting this July.

With the theme of driving pleasure towards a sustainable future for everyone, MMC has pushed ahead on automobile manufacturing that aims to contribute to environmental responsibility, deliver driving pleasure, and provide toughness and safety, under MMC's tagline Drive@earth. @earth TECHNOLOGY expresses MMC's next-generation advanced technologies that achieve the intent behind Drive@earth. 

 These technologies include:

- MMC's electric vehicle (EV)^*4 technology

- Technologies to reduce fuel consumption (high-fuel efficiency gasoline engines, "clean diesel")

- MMC's traditional 4WD technology and integrated vehicle dynamics control systems

- S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control, which provides a balance between driving stability and ultimate driving pleasure)

- RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) enhanced collision-safety body,

  - Advanced preventative safety technologies such as ACC, FCM, LDW^*5,

All provide support for safe and comfortable driving. MMC will use @earth TECHNOLOGY tagline around the world.

The MITSUBISHI Concept GR-HEV and the MITSUBISHI Concept CA-MiEV, which will be presented at the Geneva International Motor Show, represent the embodiment of @earth TECHNOLOGY.

*1: GR: Grand Runner. Represents powerful driving through grand and magnificent lands with advanced technology.

*2: CA: Compact and Advanced technology - the combination of advanced EV technology and next-generation compact packaging.

*3: For more information, please visit www.salon-auto.ch/en/ (English).

*4: Including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and other electric-powered vehicles.

*5: ACC: Adaptive Cruise Control System, which enables the maintenance of a safe distance from the preceding vehicle even when traffic is congested; FCM: Forward Collision Mitigation System, which provides support for mitigating damage or avoiding collisions through the automatic braking, enabled when the distance with the preceding car shrinks suddenly; LDW: Lane Departure Warning System, which draws the attention of the driver through an alarm when the vehicle appears to be deviating from its lane while driving.

1. MITSUBISHI Concept GR-HEV

The MITSUBISHI Concept GR-HEV is a Sport Utility Truck (SUT) concept that brings about further enhancements in environmental and driving performance. Its development is founded upon the combination of sedan- or SUV-like comfort levels and the pickup truck functionalities of the highly-acclaimed Triton.

The exterior design sets it well apart from conventional pickup trucks, combining flowing lines with richly contoured surfaces to achieve a combination of suppleness and power. It also provides excellent aerodynamic capabilities without compromising the functional elements of a pickup truck, making it extremely capable of supporting the most active lifestyles, in both leisure and work. The premium quality of the vehicle is brought out through the diamond motif applied to the DRL^*6, LED headlamp system, and LED rear combination lamp system. Stylish aluminum air dams mesh seamlessly with the vehicle's flowing shape, giving appeal to its functional pedigree and safety performance.

An FR^*7-based diesel-hybrid system has been adopted for the powertrain. With a reduction of CO2 emissions during drive to levels of 149 g/km or below this vehicle achieves the highest levels of environmental performance in its class. This superior achievement is attained through a 2.5L "clean diesel" engine that balances motive performance with superb environmental performance, as well as an electric motor HEV system with a high-performance motor and battery.

The drivetrain is a next-generation 4WD system that combines the Super Select 4WD (SS4) system and the S-AWC system. The SS4 drive mode system allows the driver to select four drive modes (2H, 4H, 4HL, 4LL). These modes enable the driver to choose levels of higher fuel-efficient driving or more all-terrain performance for rough roads. The S-AWC system provides advanced control for driving and braking force in all four wheels, thereby ensuring that the vehicle responds faithfully to the driver's intent under various driving conditions. Furthermore, by adding a highly responsive torque control system that enables instant motor response, the vehicle provides both superior driving performance and superb handling that responds faithfully to the driver.

The vehicle is also fitted with an AC power supply system, eliminating the need for carrying power generators on the vehicle, and further enhancing the vehicle's convenience for use in leisure and work situations. High safety performance is also achieved through the ACC, FCM, and LDW advanced preventive safety technology.

*6:           DRL: Day-time Running Lamps. Headlamps that light up during the day to alert other cars to the presence of the vehicle, thereby preventing accidents.

*7:           FR: Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive.

Basic specifications

2. MITSUBISHI Concept CA-MiEV

The MITSUBISHI Concept CA-MiEV concept car gives an indication of the direction MMC (which in 2009 launched i-MiEV, the world's first mass produced electric vehicle), believes EVs will take in the near future.

 MITSUBISHI Concept CA-MiEV's supple and vigorous exterior styling draws from the image of an athlete blazing with energy and racing toward the future, expressing the advanced next-generation EV technologies inside it. The design of the headlamps and rear combination lamps is based on the motif of cut diamonds, creating a deep and sophisticated presence.

The facet cut treatment of the wheel spokes, spreading outward from the center of the wheels, makes the wheels sparkle as they turn and emphasize the aesthetic beauty of the vehicle.

The high-efficiency EV system brings together lightweight EV components in an integrated motor, inverter, and charger module that reduces power losses. It also incorporates a full-time regenerative braking system that improves energy recovery rate, as well as a magnetic resonance wireless charging device that enables convenient charging. The system is fitted with a 28kWh high capacity battery. The vehicle combines exhaustive reduction in body weight with improvements in aerodynamic performance, bringing about a cruising range of 300km.

Convenience for the user has also been enhanced. The remote-controlled air-conditioning system and management system for charging and discharging can be linked to smartphones or tablet devices. The vehicle is also equipped with a remote tracking function that captures the vehicle's position using GPS if the vehicle is stolen, and MMC's ECO-drive Assist which helps the vehicle to adapt to the driving environment. Like the MITSUBISHI Concept GR-HEV, the MITSUBISHI Concept CA-MiEV provides a safe and secure electric driving experience, featuring the ACC, FCM, and LDW advanced preventative safety technologies.

Basic specifications

SOURCE: Mitsubishi

World Premiere for Two Concept Models at 2013 Geneva International Motor Show

TOKYO, February 13, 2013 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will give the MITSUBISHI Concept GR-HEV^*1 and MITSUBISHI Concept CA-MiEV^*2 concept models their global debut at the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show which runs from March 5 through March 17 (opening to the general public on March 7). The two show models highlight MMC's next-generation advanced technologies.

The MITSUBISHI Concept GR-HEV is a concept for a sport utility truck (SUT) which delivers high environmental and driving performance using a FR^*3 diesel-hybrid system (under development) in a pickup truck, one of the most popular vehicle categories in emerging economies. Combining a high fuel-efficiency clean diesel engine with a high-output motor and battery, the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) system achieves on-road CO2 emission levels of below 149 g/km to give it environmental performance among the best in its class. The concept also uses a next-generation 4WD system which incorporates the Super Select 4WD honed in the Pajero series and Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamics integrated control systems to deliver high stability traction and driving performance under all road conditions.

The MITSUBISHI Concept CA-MiEV gives an indication of the shape MMC, which launched the i-MiEV - the world's first mass produced electric vehicle - in 2009, believes EVs will take in the near future. This concept model incorporates next-generation EV technologies under development at the company, such as high-energy density batteries and high-efficiency EV systems (motor, inverter, regenerative braking and wireless charging system). Together with a lightweight and aerodynamic body it achieves a cruising range of 300 km.

With its advanced technologies embodied in the two concept models making their world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, MMC will continues to pursue further progress both in emerging markets and in environmental technologies, two major keys to the growth of the company's business.

*1 : Grand Runner

*2 : Compact and Advanced technology

*3 : Front engine, rear-wheel drive