Japanese automaker Mitsubishi is gearing up to release its new Mitsubishi i in the US later this year. The car will be the first plug-in hybrid manufactured by the Japanese company and it is expected to emerge as a strong competitor for other hybrids available on the market. The Japanese firm has already announced its plan to develop electric and other hybrid cars and the Mitsubishi i seems to be the beginning.
The new plug-in hybrid vehicle, which is expected to find many takers across the globe, will not be based on the Outlander Sport but rather the all-new Outlander. Mitsubishi knows that the market for hybrid cars is set to increase in the near future and the company wants to emerge as a pioneer in the sector and that is why the Japanese company is planning to release many different alternative powertrain vehicles by 2015.
The PX-MiEV concept featured a 114-hp 1.6 Liter four-cylinder engine. The torque is of 92 lb-ft and most of the work is done by two electric motors. The concept is little different from what are used in other cars manufactured by Mitsubishi because here, the front wheels are driven by the electric motor which is fixed on the front axle.
Another motor which is fixed at the rear axle plays its role under heavy loads, heavy acceleration or when the driver resorts to emergency movements. The power provided by the rear motor help in keeping the vehicle stable. According to Mitsubishi, the users can charge PX-MiEV from a standard 110-volt wall socket, a 200-volt socket or a special high-voltage quick-charger.
Via: MotorTrend
