Mitsubishi Motors Corporation gave the Mitsubishi Concept-EZ MIEV 4WD mono-box concept and the Colt CZC coupe-convertible their world premieres at the 76th Geneva International Motor Show.

MITSUBISHI Concept-EZ MIEV showcases the company's MIEV concept for next-generation electric vehicles that employs in-wheel motors and a high energy-density lithium-ion battery system as core technologies. The Colt CZC coupe-convertible has been developed with Pininfarina S.p.A. of Italy and joins the Colt 5-door hatchback and Colt CZ3 and CZT 3-door hatchbacks as the third body variation in the European-built Colt series. The 2006 Geneva Motor Show runs from 2nd - 12th March at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex.

Derived from the European Colt model built at the company's NedCar facility in the Netherlands, Colt CZC is to go into production at Pininfarina in Italy this month.

MMC president Osamu Masuko made the following remarks at a press conference held at the show on 28th February: "The European market is a major driver in the company's growth. With a line-up strengthened by the addition of the Grandis Diesel and Colt 3-door models, fiscal 2005 sales of Mitsubishi cars in Europe stood at 214,000 vehicles at the end of January, representing a strong 13% growth over the same period last year. Over the next year we shall be boosting the line-up further with the addition of the new L200 (Triton in Australia) pick-up truck and four other new models."

The MITSUBISHI Concept-EZ MIEV and Colt CZC will be joined at the Geneva Motor Show by 11 other models including the new L200 pickup truck (built in Thailand; Australian market name is Triton) that will begin sales in Europe in the northern spring of this year.

MITSUBISHI Concept-EZ MIEV

The distinctive design projects high-stability road-hugging looks with a wheel-at-a-corner layout made possible by using an outer-rotor type in-wheel motor in each wheel to drive the mono-box body.

The under-floor lithium-ion battery system keeps the floor low and flat, allowing MITSUBISHI Concept-EZ MIEV to offer roomy passenger space and seating arrangement versatility that matches a large mono-box model within compact 3,700 mm (L) x 1,800 mm (W) x 1,750 mm (H) dimensions.

Taking maximum advantage of the absence of a centerline powertrain that distinguishes the MIEV concept, MITSUBISHI Concept-EZ MIEV provides three innovative seating arrangements:

Lounge mode: A conference room-like space with the seats arranged in a circle.
Transport mode: Cavernous luggage space with the rear seats stowed under the floor.
Driving mode: Appropriate for normal driving conditions, spacious and comfortable seating for five adults.

With no central pillar, the double-opening doors on the left side (the rear door swings on hinges located at the rear of the vehicle) enhance passenger entry and exit as well as facilitating loading and unloading of luggage.

MITSUBISHI Concept-EZ MIEV is powered by a 20 kW outer-rotor in-wheel motor at each wheel, for a maximum output of 80 kW. Making upgrades in power and torque easy, this type of in-wheel motor also offers significant advantages in terms of space and operating efficiency, and in weight reduction.

Colt CZC

Colt CZC is powered by the same 1.5-litre 16-valve DOHC MIVEC engine used in the Colt CZ3 and CZT offered in either turbocharged or naturally aspirated versions.

The turbocharged engine powers the car to a maximum speed of 205 km/h and delivers best-in-class acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 8.4 seconds. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Colt CZC's 2+2 layout provides space to stow away the retractable hard top within a compact overall length of 3,875 mm (3,885 mm for the turbo model). Despite its cabriolet design, Colt CZC provides comfortable occupant head room without spoiling the one-motion profile that defines the series with an overall height of 1,453 mm (1,457 mm for the turbo model).