Mitsubishi Rolls Out Production Version of i-MiEV, But Japan Gets It First

In a footnote to trivia buffs, the automaker said it has added a hyphen to the name of the full production model.

The Japanese automaker said it is targeting 1,400 units for fiscal 2009 in Japan.

Mitsubishi has not yet specified a date or pricing for the release of the i-MIEV in the U.S., but it realistically will not be here until 2011, one company insider told Inside Line on Thursday. Earlier, Mitsubishi's U.S. spokesman Moe Durand said "it will roll out in 2009 in Japan and 2010 in Europe. In the U.S., we're working to be competitive against Nissan and others."

The petite i-MIEV, at 133.7 inches long, is 21 inches shorter than a Chevrolet Aveo hatchback. The Mitsubishi electric car weighs in at 2,425 pounds. It uses a lithium-ion battery and has an output of 63 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque. Mitsubishi says the vehicle has a cruising range between charges of 100 miles.

The automaker says the i-MIEV uses a three-way charging system that allows the drive battery to be charged at home "or when out and about." For normal charging, i-MIEV can be recharged from a standard 110- or 220-volt domestic outlet for the home market. It can also be plugged into "quick-charge" stations which are currently being established throughout Japan.

Inside Line says: The latest entry in what promises to be a parade of new electric vehicles. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent