MMC has targeted top-of-class fuel efficiency (Japan market version) of 30 km per liter (70.6 mpg US, 3.33 L/100km) through a variety of measures including reduction in weight throughout almost every part of the car, reduction in rolling resistance and higher efficiency through detailed improvements to the engine, transmission, brakes and tires, and an aerodynamic body that reduces air resistance and drag. The new Mirage is due to go on sale first in Thailand in March 2012.

The Mirage features a 1.0L 3-cylinder MIVEC with Auto Stop & Go (AS&G), coupled to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Concept PX-MiEV II. MMC has so far been focusing its EV technology in the Japanese minicar class: MMC rolled out the i-MiEV EV in 2009 and will introduce its second mass-produced EV—the MINICAB-MiEV minicar-class light commercial EV—in December this year.

The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II is Mitsubishi Motors’ idea for a mid-size plug-in hybrid PHEV model that offers a long cruising range demanded by mid-size (and larger) vehicles. MMC’s plug-in hybrid system fuses EV technology derived from the i-MiEV with a small conventional engine—a 2.0L MIVEC 4-cylinder unit with generating capacity of 70 kW. This combination provides a combined fuel efficiency (a combination of all-electric mode and hybrid mode) of more than 60 km per liter (141 mpg US, 1.66 L/100km), far superior than that of a conventional engine-driven car, and a cruising range of more than 800 km (497 miles).

MMC’s plug-in hybrid system uses high-capacity batteries that allow the vehicle to cover more than 50 km (31 miles) in all-electric mode alone, allowing it to be driven solely as an EV for most everyday situations. Depending on power consumption and remaining battery charge the system will start the engine automatically as a generator, and the engine can also be used to help drive the wheels as necessary.

In addition, with the push of a button, the driver has the freedom to select Battery Drive Mode when he/she wishes to drive quietly and emissions-free (at sufficient battery levels) in residential areas or the countryside using pure EV power. At the same time, the driver can also switch to Battery Charge Mode while on the move, controlling use of battery power and using the engine as a generator to charge the batteries.

A socket fitted to the vehicle allows the electricity stored in the drive batteries to be used to power electric appliances when camping or in other outdoor pursuits, or to provide an emergency power source. In addition, the quick-charge port is vehicle-to-home (V2H) compatible.

The Concept PX-MiEV II uses a newly developed twin-motor (60 kW max each) four-wheel-drive system mated to Mitsubishi’s S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) advanced traction control system. Based on the four-wheel-drive technology developed and refined in the Lancer Evolution X models, S-AWC enables easy maneuvering while maintaining high levels of stability and safety.

Also at the Mitsubishi Motors booth will be the MINICAB-MiEV light commercial electric vehicle due to be released in the Japanese market in December this year and the i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle (EV) which is currently on sale in countries all over the world. Alongside these will be the RVR compact SUV (ASX or Outlander Sport in some markets) powered by a new MIVEC engine that incorporates MMC’s Auto Stop & Go (AS&G) idle-stop technology, and the Pajero (Montero or Shogun in some markets) SUV powered by a clean diesel engine.

The Mitsubishi Motors booth will also feature the MiEV House, a concept of a smart house that manages energy usage between the home itself, smart appliances, EVs/plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), and smart grids all at the same time through HEMS (Home Energy Management System) and MMC’s own EIS (Electric Vehicle Integration System).