Mitsubishi say yes to all-new micro car for 2010
Mitsubishi i micro car considered too brazen for Japan's tastes
Author: Chris Barker
Published: 29 May 2008
Mitsubishi has confirmed that it's set to take on the micro-car might of the Toyota iQ and Smart ForTwo as early as 2010 and produce a mini-licious, lightweight suburban run-around measuring less than 3,400mm from tip to tail and within the pre-determined confines of 1,480mm from door to door.
Complying with Japan's rigid K-Car stipulations laid down - powerplants not to be in excess of 660cc and not producing more than 64bhp for city use - Mitsubishi's man-at-the-top has confirmed that the all-new model, following lessons learned from the more physically-present Mitsubishi i, will become the company's entry-level car when it goes on general global release in the latter half of 2010.
The rear-wheel driven micro-car will more than likely house a 63bhp, 660cc three-cylinder petrol engine and have it mounted at the rear to adhere to the Japanese domestic market's stringent urban vehicle manufacture guidelines.
That said, European-bound versions will doubtless duck and dive to get round this power issue, with Mitsubishi sneaking out the very same 1,000cc triple-cylinder unit that the Oriental car-maker supplies to Smart for the ForTwo, which come in 61bhp, 74bhp, 84bhp and 98bhp output.
Whether or not the newly-liberated Mitsubishi will have a diesel flavour remains to be seen. If so, then omens point again toward the Smart ForTwo's barely-credible 45bhp, 800cc three-cylinder diesel unit.
Mitsubishi´s small i car is appealing to urban drivers on its size, price and eco credentials.
It´s a big seller in Japan, but will UK buyers swallow that price tag?
Aye-aye. The Mitsubishi "i" - driven by nearly everyone in Japan - is coming to the UK.
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