Mitsubishi Motors 'i' Concept Test Car

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today (29th August 2003) announced that the "i" small concept test car it will be showing at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show achieved maximum 5-Star ratings (lowest environmental impact) in fuel consumption and emissions testing conducted at the ADAC TechnikZentrum technology center in Lansberg, Munich, Germany 31 July through 5 August.

In the ADAC/FIA EcoTest, "i" returned an average consumption of 3.8 liters/100 km with emissions of 89 g/km of CO2, thus meeting both the 90 g/km Three Liter Car fuel economy and the Euro 4 emissions standards.

A fully-drivable small car concept test model, the Mitsubishi "i" sits on a midship engine/rear wheel-drive platform to provide a roomier living space that boasts superior crashworthiness performance than its dimensions would suggest. MMC is planning to introduce this next-generation small car in Japan in 2005. It could make its way to Europe later.

The high-efficiency powertrain mates a new 1.0-liter MIVEC engine with a continuously variable transmission and employs a Stop-Start system that automatically stops the engine when the vehicle is stationary. Vehicle weight is minimized with the extensive use of aluminum and plastics in the body and chassis. This and the careful attention to aerodynamics give "i" exceptional fuel economy.

Going further than the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) used in Euro 4 testing, the FIA EcoTest includes highway driving and air conditioner "ON" components to provide a more thorough measure of emissions and fuel consumption. To date, ADAC has put 31 popular models sold in Europe through the EcoTest.

ADAC agreed to put the Mitsubishi "i" through the FIA EcoTest because Mitsubishi Motors was eager to demonstrate the new small car’s outstanding environmental performance. Although still a pre-production model, the Mitsubishi "i" became the first car with the air conditioner switched on to achieve the maximum 5-star rating in both categories as well as in the total rating.