2012 MITSUBISHI I-Miev

2012 MITSUBISHI i-MiEV The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is an all-electric four-passenger vehicle, with “i” identifying the model and MiEV signifying “Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle”. Its dimensions—larger than the Scion iQ but smaller than the Nissan Leaf—land it squarely between two vehicle size categories. The i-MiEV is a rear-wheel drive with a rear-mounted motor. Interior and trunk Since the vehicle is relatively tall, front access is easy. The seats are quite firm and not all that comfortable, with a rather short cushion and a bulge in the seatback that does not suit all body types. Given that the i-MiEV’s driving range is not conducive to long trips, the seats are tolerable for short periods. The driving position is far from optimal, with a fixed steering column and insufficient seat travel for tall people. The height-adjustment lever for the driver’s seat is rather flimsy. The driver’s seat has a seat warmer, and 2013 models will get one for the passenger seat. Narrow rear doors make it difficult to get in and harder still to get out. There is room for two, in relative comfort given the firmness of the seat. The seatback is split 60/40 and both sides recline to different angles. The rear head restraints must be removed to fold the backrests flat to the floor with the front seats pushed back. Headroom is relatively generous, but legroom is tight when the front seats are pushed back. Trunk space is rather modest with 52 cm from the sill to the back of the rear seat, but it gets quite interesting when the seatback is folded. The tailgate does not open high enough to clear a tall person’s head, and the load sill is quite high. Convenience and safety The cabin is rather austere and produced the occasional creak and rattle. Finish is good, but some materials look cheap. Sound isolation is adequate. There is very little cabin storage and only one cup holder of any use. The sun visors do not have an extender and do not slide on their support rod. Gauges and controls are well laid out. Several controls are not lighted at night, with no lighting for the glove compartment or the gated gear shifter, but there is a shift indicator in the instrument panel. On hot days, in automatic mode, the air conditioner does not adequately cool the cabin. You have to set the blower manually, and increasing the blower speed affects driving range. A remote control allows you to program charging time, and the cabin can be preheated or cooled from a distance while charging or plugged without affecting the battery. Photo: Mitsubishi A single washer nozzle for both wipers is placed in the driver side wiper, with average results in certain conditions. The windshield washer reservoir is ridiculously small (1.9 litres). Safety equipment includes six airbags (dual front, side and side curtain); anti-lock brakes, brake-force distribution and brake assist; stability control; and four head restraints. Outward visibility is very good, though the large rear head restraints impinge on the view on a three-quarter-rear angle. The headlights are adequate. The vehicle emits a sound at speeds under 35 km/h to alert pedestrians and cyclists of its approach. In U.S. government crash tests, the i-MiEV obtained four stars out of five for front-occupant protection in the event of a frontal impact, and three stars for all-occupant protection in a side crash. However, the U.S. agency expressed concern about safety in a side crash due to a possible structural problem, a malfunctioning component or door that may open. It earned four stars for rollover resistance. Engine and transmission The electric motor produces 66 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, for relatively lively acceleration up to 80 km/h. At that point it starts to run out of steam, which explains the 0-100 km/h sprint time of 14 seconds. Under 70 km/h pickup is quick and relatively energetic. Drive mode delivers better performance than Eco mode but takes a toll on range, as does highway driving. Top speed is 130 km/h, according to Mitsubishi. The motor performs very well in urban driving conditions. Resources Canada estimates it will cost $281 annually, at 7.5 cents per kilowatt hour, to drive 20,000 km per year. Scheduled maintenance is minimal and includes inspections and regular brake maintenance. Mitsubishi claims a driving range of 155 km; we obtained a maximum of 122 km during our test. We registered our best performance in Eco mode, in city driving, thanks among other things to regenerative braking, which rapidly recharges the lithium-ion battery. Total charge time is 22.5 hours using a 120-volt outlet, 6 hours with a 240-volt outlet and 20 minutes to attain an 80-percent charge at a public quick-charging station. A new charger for the 2013 model will allow the battery to charge in about 12 hours with a 120-volt outlet. We noted a problem with the 120-volt charging cable: the wall-plug section is short, and if the wall outlet is more than 50 cm above the floor, the charger is left hanging with all its weight on the plug. The cable is also shorter than those of other plug-in vehicles. Both or at least the first of these points should be improved for 2013. In reviewing the owner’s manual we learned that very hot or very cold temperatures (above 40oC or below minus 15oC) affect the motor and can reduce regenerative braking performance. Cold weather lengthens charging times; hot weather increases quick-charge times. During cold weather, it may be impossible to charge or fully charge the battery. However, a battery warming system keeps battery temperature above minus 25oC, as long as there is still a charge in the battery. The cable must never be plugged in or unplugged with wet hands. The one-speed automatic transmission naturally functions very smoothly. There are three selectable drive modes: D for standard driving, Eco for maximum economy and B for maximum regenerative braking (and very useful when driving downhill). Drivers must take into consideration that the car slows down more quickly in Eco and Brake modes than in Drive. On the road The independent front, solid-axle rear suspension delivers a good ride on most surfaces, with a firm reaction at most on certain uneven sections. Road holding is adequate, considering the narrow tires (145/65R15 front, 175/60R15 rear). The car is sensitive to side winds. The electric power-assisted steering is well weighted, stable, crisp and relatively quick. It transmits very little road sensation. The turning circle is small. The front-disc, rear-drum brakes provide good fade resistance but only average power. Here again, the narrow tires do not help. The brakes are smooth and easy to modulate. Inspection In an inspection performed at a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre, we saw that the i-MiEV’s platform is relatively sturdy, but it is not coated against corrosion, and several joints are unsealed, which compares unfavourably with hybrid vehicles we have seen. The air-conditioner condenser is susceptible to damage from debris through the openings under the front bumper. A compressor and tire sealant for small punctures are supplied in lieu of a spare tire. Conclusion The i-MiEV is an efficient, frugal city car. Its cabin may be bit basic, but it delivers the goods in terms of efficiency. The more you drive it, the more it grows on you and once you understand, accept and master its limitations, you stop fretting about driving range. Its low operating cost and the government purchase rebate ($7,769 and up to $1,000 to install a dedicated 240-volt charging system) add to its appeal for suitable buyers. PROS: handling, drivetrain performance, smooth ride, pleasant steering, small turning circle, driving cost CONS: driving range, fixed steering column, insufficient storage, small windshield washer reservoir, rear legroom, sensitive to side winds 2012 MITSUBISHI i-MiEV Engine: electric motor Horsepower: 66 hp Torque: 145 lb-ft Transmission: 1-speed automatic Suspension: independent/rigid axle Brakes: disc/drum Wheelbase: 255 cm Length: 367.5 cm Width: 158.5 cm Height: 161.5 cm Weight: 1,171 kg Tires: 145/65R15 front; 175/60R15 rear Maximum towing capacity: forbidden Airbags: dual front, two side and two curtain airbags Fuel consumption Natural Resources Canada rating: City: 1.9 Le/100 km (149 mpge) Highway: 2.4 Le/100 km (118 mpge) Test result: not available Test temperature: 14°C to 29°C CO2 emissions: 0 kg/20,000 km Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 14 seconds 60–100 km/h: 9 seconds Competition: Nissan Leaf Warranty: Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km Electric components: 5 years/100,000 km (Lithium-ion battery: 8 years/160,000 km) Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 km Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited km Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $1,074 Front brake disc: $334 Brake pads: $178 Front shock absorber: $456 Front fender: $410 Price according to trim level (freight and preparation included): $34,448 Main options: Premium package: $3,000 Price as tested (freight and preparation included): $34,448 Dealers: Quebec: 26 Canada: 71 © July 2012. All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec .

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