2012 Mitsubishi I-MiEV

For the 2012 model year Mitsubishi has upgraded its electric compact car i-MiEV and reduced the price. Our test shows how everyday use of the i-MiEV.

With the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car was one of the pioneers of today and earlier in the trade as other manufacturers. The 347 cm long compact car designed it from scratch as an electric car, which has the advantage that the batteries are housed under the floor, so the trunk does not require sacrificing.

For the 2012 model year Mitsubishi's i-MiEV has been upgraded with modern materials and strong, and seat covers provided in the interior. But even if the equipment has changed a lot.

Thus, heated front seats, a stereo radio with CD player and USB port, ABS, ASC, TC, 6 airbags, a radio remote control to preset the air conditioner, the heater and defroster function via timer, and a display of battery SOC production equipment.

In addition, the 2012 model over a virtual warning that will warn up to a speed of 35 km / h pedestrians and cyclists at the approach of otherwise silent car.

It's funny that you would like to limit it to one side, the noise from cars by any means, is a car but then again without any noise on the road, it is compelled by law to be loud again.

After all these bare numbers we are interested in how to get an electric car from Mitsubishi through the day. The interior is very nice and already has four people. While offered in height on all four seats lots of headroom, it is for the feet on all four seats relatively close. Here apparently the Japanese was taken as a guide, are large Grown in the small cramped little i-MiEV on the road.

This is the boot volume of 235 liters of the small car class failed sufficiently large and can be extended if necessary by folding down the rear seats up to 860 liters.

To the great surprise is the operator of the i-MiEV simple and absolutely without any electric-specific peculiarity. The speed is displayed digitally, and instead of a tachometer you have an Eco-indicator, which informs about the current flow of energy. A fuel gauge and a complete range indicated by the simple and clearly laid-out speedometer.


After turning the ignition key you will hear a beep tone that signals in combination with a green light signal a willingness to pull out that you can. The selector lever has two or more options for the driver. In addition to "P" for parking, "R" for return, "N" for neutral and "D" for Drive are still additional positions "B" for brake and "C" for Comfort for election.

In "D" is the i-MiEV is in normal driving mode and provides the full power available. When approaching a traffic light or at high speed on the road a roundabout, one does well to place the selector lever to position "B", since the system directly through the braking, the energy generated in the battery and the range of Sun can be increased. The "C" mode is designed for pleasure cruises on motorways and country roads, where you can roll with less power and therefore less demand for electricity there.

The advantage of electric cars is that the maximum torque - in the case of the mitsubishi i-MiEV is the 180 Nm - right at the start is available. One comes with an enormous amount of power from the same spot, and up to 50 km / h there is little in the Mitsubishi forward really fast.

If you want to speed up then keep it afloat, you realize that the 66 hp (49 kW) electric motor has been some trouble with some 1.1 ton compact car.

The ride is fun for the mitsubishi i-MiEV written large: with a very low center of gravity of the little Mitsubishi is very good on the road. The steering is somewhat vague, but the road situation perfectly, even in brisk cornering.

Up to 130 km / h you may be traveling with the i-MiEV, the solid pressure on the accelerator (should actually more power pedal used in this case) does of course also reach, how to quickly read in the space provided for display.

According to the work of i-MiEV coming up to 150 km / h over a distance before the energy runs out of 16 kWh battery strong. In practice, this range can cope well only at very leisurely trip, with warm temperatures and without radio and air conditioning. In practice, we have a full battery, use the air conditioner and the enjoyment of the radio on a route with highways, country roads and city share had around 80 miles away.

Then the 2012 mitsubishi i-MiEV has again for up to 8 hours to the outlet so that the battery is fully charged. With the "Quick Charger" can lead to a correspondingly high 80% of energy after 30 minutes.

If you do not return long distance sets and can do without spontaneity, is the Mitsubishi i-MiEV but an absolutely suitable for everyday use with a great road-holding and good facilities. In addition, it is absolutely easy to operate and any necessary conversion from one powered with gasoline or diesel engine car. Most beautiful is that you have absolutely no vibration and is extremely quiet road.