Mitsubishi's new little concept car revealed
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The production version of the Mitsubishi Global Small
Concept
will be released in Australia during 2012. A 1.2 litre 3-cylinder
engine is most likely for the
Australian model.
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Mitsubishi
2nd March, 2011
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has unveiled their Concept
Global Small vehicle, the “e-compact” at the 81st Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. After “Project Global” in
the popular C and D Segments, MMC is now pushing the boundaries of global product planning with the forthcoming
introduction of “Global Small” in the B-Segment: next-generation architecture with built-in flexibility to
accommodate - by design - customer requirements in all world markets in the lower sector of the market(s).
Previewed as “Concept-Global Small” at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show (3rd-13th March), this “e-compact” will be
unveiled in production form towards the end of this year, prior to a start of production scheduled for early
2012 at an equally all-new plant MMC is currently building in Thailand, its third factory in this strategic
production hub.
Global product of the “Global Village”
This new Mitsubishi will be proposed as an entry model for emerging markets as well as a fuel efficient car
in developed markets. As such, this all-new e-compact project shall be MMC’s answer to some fundamental
evidences:
- In fast developing markets such as China, ASEAN and other emerging areas (50% of all world markets by
2013), MMC shall embrace the increasing demand for personal mobility through affordable, fuel efficient and
substantial yet compact vehicles.
- In the mature markets of Japan, North America or Europe, down-sizing and efficiency are key to meeting
ever stringent environmental regulation whilst fulfilling the need for multi-motorisation with sensible
products in a re-invented B-Segment.
- In the face of volatile exchange rates and commodity prices as well as the challenge to serve all world
markets with small vehicles delivering – by definition - low profit margins, Mitsubishi Motors shall pursue
the highest level of efficiency in its production system through the concept of global production hub.
“e-“ for…
Developed in Okazaki (Japan) – MMC’s global R&D Centre - in less than 2 years, the forthcoming Global
Small project is meant to merge all these “eco/compact” requirements into one single package designed as such
instead of mere adaptation(s):
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Self-Catering Holiday
Accommodation in
Denmark, WA
..... more
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- “e” for “efficiency”: highly efficient in its overall packaging, Mitsubishi Motors’ e-compact combines
the virtues of a small vehicle (manoeuvrability) and excellent visibility whilst sitting 5 occupants and
accommodating sufficient luggage space within a retrained footprint (3,74 m length x 1,68 m width): one of
the most space efficient in the B-Segment.
- “e” for “engineering”: the architecture this e-compact is based upon has been designed to accommodate
upfront foreseeable customer and regulatory requirements in all world markets whether Japan, North America,
emerging countries or Europe, instead of costly later adaptations: a first in the small car class.
- “e” for “environment”: through weight saving measures, all-new petrol 1.0 and 1.2 litre MIVEC power
trains, the application of MMC’s eco-friendly technology solutions (Auto Stop and Go, Brake energy
regenerative system, etc,…) and fine-tuned aerodynamics as exemplified in the sloping roof line,
Mitsubishi’s e-compact can boast sensible level of fuel consumption and therefore emissions well in line
with market trends.
- “e” for “electric vehicle”: as a further environmentally friendly measure – and a
direct effect of its fully integrated Global Small architecture – e-compact is engineered to accommodate a
further variant, fitted with a 100% electric power train.
- “e” for “economies”: robust and reliable by design as customary for Japanese products, “Global Small”
should also guarantee low running costs.
- “e” for “effective design”: as a daily reliable runabout equally at ease crossing the bush, tackling
mega pole traffic or blasting highways (within speed limits), the Mitsubishi e-compact was styled with
no-nonsense efficiency-first in mind. Robust looking yet enjoying sophisticated aero-dynamics, it should
grace traffic none-the-less with a friendly face.
- “e” for “export”: the first of its kind, “Global Small” will be built at MMC’s dedicated hub of Laem
Chabang Industrial Estate in the Chonburi province of Thailand. The forecasted annual volume of 150,000
units (with a possible increase to 200,000 units) will be exported to the ASEAN countries , Japan, North
Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America and many other markets around the world.
Fifty years later after its first small car, the little “500” launched in 1960 just at the start of the
massive export drive of Japan, Mitsubishi Motors’ ambitious e-compact is about to open a new significant
page in MMC’s history…
Main specifications
| Overall Length: |
3,74 m |
| Overall Width: |
1,68 m |
| Overall Height: |
1,49 m |
| Power train: |
3 cylinder MIVEC (petrol) engine |
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1.0 Litre |
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5-speed manual transmission |
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Auto Stop and Go |
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Brake energy regenerative system |
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185/55 R 16 low rolling resistance
tyres |
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