When first launched in Japan in
July 2009, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV became the first electric car in
regular series production from a major manufacturer, available to
world markets. Today, it also becomes the first electric vehicle to
be crash-tested by the renowned Euro NCAP organization: a milestone
further enhanced by a 4-star rating / new protocol.
Going mainstream
Excellent as such, this result
vindicates the view Mitsubishi Motors took when developing this next
frontier vehicle: whilst ambitious in its technology, it shall remain
mainstream in its daily use whether through the ease of driving, the
performance and the convenience it offers.
Obviously, this includes the guarantee
of a level of passive & active safety similar to that of an IC-engined
car - the direct result of a thorough development process accumulated
over 500,000 km of testing that only a major manufacturer like
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) could commit.
Integrity
Making the best use of MMC’s advanced
mid-ship architecture, i-MiEV is powered by a compact and lightweight
motor and a pack of high-energy density lithium-ion batteries safely
located within a long 2.55 m wheelbase.
In this respect, Euro NCAP’s comments
on the integrity of i-MiEV are eloquent: “No problems were experienced
with the high voltage electrical system which powers the vehicle: the
battery was properly isolated from the body shell and was not damaged
during the tests.”
Recently launched in 15 European
countries, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV has already surpassed MMC’s sales
expectations in the region (about 3,000 units shipped as of end of
January 2011) and with highlights including # 1 spot in the A-Segment in
Norway. This year shall see a further introduction, in North America.
http://www.euroncap.com/results/mitsubishi/imiev/2011/422.aspx
