Latest Cars Reviews Blog: micro cars

2009 Hyundai i10

According to AutoNews, Hyundai has decided that the Hyundai i10 compact car is simply too small to go over well with U.S. consumers. Still looking to compete with the Honda Fit and the Toyota Yaris, Hyundai is reportedly considering introducing a larger version of the i10, the brand new i20, to the U.S in 2010. Nothing is concrete though, and in the meantime, the five-door hatchback i10 will move ahead as planned in the European market. Hyundai admits that U.S sales have been hurting due to their short supply of small cars, and will be bringing in a fresh fleet of their smallest offering, the Hyundai Elantra, in November. While the i20 is still pending approval, another i10 variant, the i30, has already received the green light for an American introduction and is slated to appear re-badged as an Elantra touring wagon sometime between 2009-2010. We say: hat tip to Hyundai for showing the most foresight of any foreign automaker yet.

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring/Hyundai i30 [Europe]

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Mitsubishi iMiEV Micro-Electric Concept

Nearly identical to the Mitsubishi iMiEV Concept introduced in 2007 at the Tokyo Auto Show, the production iMiEV has been spotted road testing in Japan and is rumored to be prepping for a U.S. introduction in 2009. Ambitiously, Mitsubishi publicly expects the iMiEV Micro-Electric car to average 124 miles off a single charge, and feature a top speed of 112 mph. Although that seems almost impossibly ambitious [especially in light of the slightly disappointing production Chevy Volt reveal], thanks to their partnership with battery manufacturer GS Yuasa Corporation, Mitsubishi is confident their technology is ready for mass production.

Mitsubishi iMiEV Micro-Electric Production Car

So what does the iMiEV have that the Volt doesn’t? Primarily: little to no press time. With no pressure and subject to only minimal public scrutiny, Mitsubishi has been slowly and steadily developing it’s technology over the course of several years. With the benefit of time on their side, they haven’t been forced to rush ahead of schedule and, despite what skeptics might say, could very well be responsible for engineering the stronger, faster, lithium ion battery every one has been waiting for.

According to the technical specifications outlined by Mitsubishi engineers, the iMiEV is powered by three permanent magnetic synchronous motors; two of which are placed in each front wheel, with the third motor delivering power to the rear wheels. The lithium-ion battery is placed at the lowest area underneath the floor, which provides for better stability and a more spacious interior. A photovoltaic generator is housed on the roof, and the air conditioning system is aided dually by a power-generating fan inside the front grill and heat-absorbing windows. Additionally, the iMiEV’s interior is constructed mostly of Mitsubishi’s plant-base resin material, Green Plastic. No word yet on official pricing, though hopefully the Mitsubishi iMiEV doesn’t run into the same cost-of-production/retail price problems the Chevy Volt has.

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