Mitsubishi is Hot for Minicars

K-class - or Kei - cars are the heart of the Japanese automobile market. Short for keijidosha, which translates as "light automobile," Kei cars are tiny by American standards, yet very popular around the world in markets where fuel has been expensive for many years. Naturally, their small footprint and light weight requires much less fuel and offers the ability to operate with lower emissions. Going small also means these cars are highly maneuverable, easy to park, and deliver a lower cost of ownership than our current subcompact cars.

The "i" kei-class car has been on sale in Japan since 2006 and has won numerous awards. Now, apparently, it's time to look outward in a big way with this small car platform. At the recent New York International Auto Show, Mitsubishi highlighted four small cars - three "i" car variants and a concept cX minicar - they think would be right for the North American market. The trio of minicar models includes the "i" (gasoline), the i MiEV (Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle), and the i MiEV Sport concept.

The basic "i" car has room for four adults and rides on a 100.4 inch wheelbase. Wheels are pushed to the far corners of the rounded body to maximize interior space and packaging. It's powered by a turbocharged three cylinder gasoline engine displacing 660ccs, the maximum allowed in the kei-class. With its stylish exterior and unique interior design, the "i" is quite popular in the Japanese home market where most kei entries are boxy shapes.

The i MiEV takes the "i" platform and replaces the internal combustion engine with a zero emissions electric drivetrain. The i MiEV's 330-volt lithium-ion battery, which was developed by MMC joint venture company Lithium Energy Japan, is mounted below the floor to maintain a low center of gravity and avoid infringing on interior space. Power comes from a 47 kW electric motor that' said to deliver the same improved performance as the 64 horsepower gasoline engine. With a 100 mile range between charges, Mitsubishi plans to launch the i MiEV in Japan as a production car as early as 2009.

Going the i MiEV one better is Mitsubishi's i MiEV Sport concept. The styling changes the "i" car theme with a fastback body treatment for a high performance flavor. Constructed on an aluminum chassis, the i MiEV Sport replaces the standard i MiEV single electric motor with three. Each front wheel is driven by a dedicated 20 kW motor while a single 47 kW motor powers the rear wheels. A Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system controls power output, traction control, ABS braking, and the stability control system that works with a new Electronic Active Yaw Control. To recapture electricity, i MiEV Sport utilizes photovoltaics on the roof, wind turbines in the grille, and of course regenerative braking.

The final car in the Mitsubishi corral is the Concept cX, which Mitsubishi describes as "a forward thinking small SUV design." Concept cX is a bit more traditional looking than the i MiEV with green credentials that include a new 1.8-liter clean diesel and a Twin Clutch SST (Sport Shift Transmission) to deliver excellent fuel economy. The design intends to deliver SUV utility with the fun-to-drive factor inherent in a compact car.