Fisker Automotive founder Henrik Fisker has resigned from his post as the firm’s executive chairman. An email said to be sent by Henrik cites several unspecified “major disagreements” with the company’s executive management on business strategy as the primary reason for abandoning ship. Reports suggest the decision was sparked by the firm’s purported consideration of selling a majority stake to China’s Geely Automobile, which would put much-needed cash in its coffers. For its part, the company says that it’s strategy hasn’t changed, and that it doesn’t expect its namesake’s departure to have an impact.
Electric cars generally settle into one of two camps: the outlandish, like Renault’s Twizy, or the discrete, like Nissan’s Note. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV, however, straddles both. Its “space jelly-bean” looks are certainly eye-catching, but they’re also borrowed wholesale from the regular gas-powered version available in Japan and Europe, rather than an EV flourish for its own sake. The i-MiEV is also one of the US’ cheapest EVs, though with prices starting at $21,625 (after tax incentives) it still commands a premium over more traditionally fuelled cars. Can the i-MiEV’s frugal charms win us over? Read on for the full SlashGear review.
Design and Interior
It’s not quite a Twizy, but the i-MiEV is certainly no wall-flower when it comes to Mitsubishi’s aesthetic. The tall, narrow body was intended for snapping down cramped Tokyo side-streets, but it makes for a car that catches more than its fair share of glances while you’re driving. Whether they’re admiring or bemused is unclear.
You still get four doors, however, and four seats inside – the rear seats fold down individually, boosting the trunk’s compact 13.2 cubic feet of storage to a more useful 50.4 cubit feet – with room for adults front and back. It’s an upright ride with plenty of headroom, though the limited width can mean those in the back sit closer together than usual. Despite the price, the only leather you’ll find inside is wrapping the steering wheel and shifter knob; the seats are sturdy fabric, instead, and adjusted manually not electrically.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV walkthrough:
Given the ostentatious exterior, we’d half expected the sort of swooping, LED-encrusted dashboard that would make a concept car jealous. In fact, the i-MiEV’s interior is surprisingly sober. The plastic top dash panels match the purplish-brown seat fabric for color, with a bulbous central stack topped with a sizeable LCD display above the HVAC controls and finally the gear shifter at the bottom. The latter looks like it could’ve been pulled from any automatic car, with the usual park, neutral, drive, and reverse options, as well as an “Eco” mode a notch away.
In the minimalistic driver’s instrument binnacle the view is dominated by a center gage with a digital speedo in the middle, flanked by a simple indicator which shows how economical or profligate you are with your current driving style. A smaller display on the left shows battery level and current gear; range in miles is shown in another screen on the other side. Jabbing at a small plastic button in the binnacle flips over to distance traveled since your last charge.
It’s functional, for the most part. The plastics in general are somewhat flimsy to the touch, though you at least get air-con, power windows and mirrors, and remote central locking as standard. There’s also a heated seat, on the driver’s side only, which Mitsubishi recommends using instead of cranking up the HVAC on a cold morning, since it’s more power-frugal; alternatively, you can turn on the HVAC (to the last used settings) remotely from the keyfob while the i-MiEV is still plugged into the mains. The touchscreen audio system, complete with Bluetooth streaming/hands-free, a reversing camera, and navigation is comprehensive, though not the easiest to use.
Engine and Performance
The i-MiEV’s motor pushes out 66HP through the rear wheels via a single-speed gearbox, and manages 145 lb-ft of torque. It’s good for a top speed of 81mph, and though Mitsubishi isn’t especially keen to talk performance figures (0-60mph is a 13s affair), the combination of the 1.3 ton curb weight., low center of gravity, and immediacy of electric motors means acceleration is surprisingly eager. The i-MiEV is certainly at its best around town, where the combination of pep off the starting line and regenerative power topping up the battery show their worth, but that’s not to say it can’t handle the highway.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV driving:
At highway speeds, there’s a fair amount of wind noise, and while you don’t get the familiar thrum of a gas engine, you have the whine of the electric motor instead. Side-winds can lead to some uncomfortable buffeting, too. The suspension – taut, given the batteries the i-MiEV must lug – is firm but not unduly so.
Battery and Range
As with all EVs, the big question mark hanging over the i-MiEV is range. Mitsubishi quotes an EPA MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) of 126 for city driving, 99 for highway driving, and 112 combined; total EPA range is 62 miles.
That’s assuming ideal circumstances, of course. In practice, you tend to drive with one eye fixed to the range indicator, alert to how your driving style affects how many miles you’ll be able to do. We found the estimates to be reasonably accurate, though weather more than anything is the big decider. Setting out for town on a particularly cold day and, by the time we’d reached our first stop, the gage had dropped considerably more miles than we’d actually traveled. Mitsubishi does include a single out-of-energy rescue per year for the first three years.
Extremes of temperature are known issues for battery performance, and the i-MiEV tackles one of them as standard. All i-MiEV versions have a cooling fan that counteracts the effect of hot days, but its counterpart battery warmer is only standard on the SE “Premium Package” – $2,790 – or as a $175 add-on.
Charging generally depends on how much juice you have to spare. The i-MiEV can power up from either a 120V domestic supply or, if you have access to it, a 240V supply. A 120V portable charging cable is included to satisfy impromptu recharges while on the move, something which we found takes roughly 20- to 22hrs. A “Level 2″ 240V charger cuts that to seven hours, or if you have access to a “Level 3″ public quick-charger you can take the i-MiEV to 80-percent in 30 minutes.
Mitsubishi includes a total of three warranties with the i-MiEV, covering different aspects of the car. Shortest is the 3-year/36,000 mile New Vehicle warranty, followed by a specific 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty. Finally, there’s 8-year/100,000 mile cover for the Li-Ion batteries, which unlike other car companies Mitsubishi sells rather than leases to drivers. Nonetheless, some degree of battery degradation is to be expected (and isn’t covered by the warranty): you should expect to have 80-percent of total capacity left after 5yrs, falling to 70-percent after 10yrs.
Wrap-Up
Most of the issues affecting the i-MiEV are applicable to every all-electric car. The preoccupation with range, balance of equipment versus saving as much power for actually moving, and the lifespan of Li-Ion batteries are to modern EVs what gas consumption, engine oil, and emissions are to traditional cars.
Where the i-MiEV succeeds is in helping make electric travel more affordable. Thanks to federal tax incentives you can have the Mitsubishi for under $22k (before destination and handling); considering only a couple of years ago you’d be looking at twice that for an EV, it shows how far we’ve come in eco-friendly motoring. The i-MiEV is certainly a second car, unless you’re a resolute city dweller, but for low-cost trips around town and room for four in a small footprint, it’s a perky addition to your garage.
It was just a nice, winter’s day over at Concord, NC. This poor salesman, Steve, from Troutman Motors didn’t think much of it. Perhaps he’d make a few sales today, and then maybe he’d clock out around 5 and head home to his family. But no, Pepsi MAX and NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon had a different plan in mind for the guy. Pepsi MAX disguised Jeff Gordon up to look like just an innocent customer looking to find his next set of wheels, but in reality, he was going to instill the fear of death into poor, ol Steve.
Jeff Gordon received the full 9 yards for his disguise: facial hair, make-up, and a cheek mole. He also tried to appear as naive as possible to Steve. Pretending he didn’t know that you have to unlock cars to get inside them, having to adjust to the acceleration of the 2009 Camaro, and making a couple abrupt stops just to seal the deal. Once he had thoroughly convinced Steve that he was an amateur driver, he proceeded to scare the living crap out of him. Speeding around the Philip Morris manufacturing plant, swerving around other cars, making donuts around a light pole, all of which probably would’ve made Steve pee his pants.
Of course, this was all staged, because in reality this probably would’ve given poor, ol Steve a heart attack. This was all part of a promotion to create a viral video campaign for Pepsi MAX, and it worked, garnering over 1.8 million viewers. There were cameras placed on Jeff Gordon’s glasses, his Pepsi Max can, on the car, and all through the staging areas.
Brad Noffsinger, a racer at the Richard Petty Driving Experience, did some of the driving we saw on the video. This video was produced by “Gifted You”, a division that’s part of Will Ferrell’s Funny or Die company. There have been said to be 75 people employed to shoot this video. So while it may not be real, it’s very entertaining and everyone can agree that it’s full of awesome.
The Ford Mustang is one of the more popular muscle cars on the market today. The Mustang is offered in versions using a V-6 or V-8 from the factory. Roush has been taking Mustangs of all sorts and making them look better and giving them more performance for years. The company has now announced its 2014 line of upgraded Ford Mustangs.
For 2014 Roush is using its talents to upgrade both the standard V-6 Mustang and the top-of-the-line V-8 Ford Mustang as well. On the V-6 version of the Mustang, Roush will be using its special aero body kit, wheels, and offering a variety of interior upgrade options. Buyers of the Mustang GT will be able to get three different stages of upgrades.
The Roush Stage 1 Mustang will receive the aero body kit, various wheel options, and interior upgrades. Mustang GT owners can also step up to the Stage 2 Mustang getting the same exterior options as the Stage 1 and adding a racetrack inspired suspension system to go along with the 420 hp Mustang V-8.
Mustang GT drivers wanting the full Roush treatment can go for the Stage 3 RS3 Mustang that gets the looks, suspension, and power Roush is famous for. The RS3 Mustang gets all of the body and suspension upgrades plus a supercharger bringing the power output for the V-8 engine to 575 hp and 505 pound-foot of torque. The Mustang also carries a three-year 36,000 mile warranty. For 2014 Roush is offering the Ford Racing Aluminator forged engine is an option allowing the car to produce 625 hp or 675 hp depending on if the buyer chooses the Phase 2 or Phase 3 option upgrade kit. Pricing for these Mustangs is unknown at this time.
We talked a couple times now about the strange little Toyota i-Road electric vehicle. The car was first seen at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. It’s rather like a cross between a motorcycle and a very small electric vehicle. There was some indication that Toyota was aiming the vehicle at drivers wanting to split lanes in traffic as motorcyclists often do.
I think the vehicle may be a bit wide for that. One thing that we hadn’t previously seen is a CGI video that Toyota offered up showing the strange little electric vehicle in action. If you missed our previous coverage, the i-Road has enough room for two occupants who sit tandem style like riders on a motorcycle inside of an enclosed cockpit.
The electric vehicle uses what Toyota calls “Active Lean” technology that leans into a turn sort of like a motorcycle would do. The vehicle has rear wheel steering and a nearly silent electric powertrain. Toyota says that the little vehicle is good to drive for up to 50 km on a three-hour charge.
Toyota has always been upfront with the fact that this is a concept vehicle. However, Toyota said it would be putting compact personal mobility vehicles based on the i-Road to work as part of an experimental project designed to evaluate market response. Toyota plans to start the project at the end of 2014 in Grenoble, France. The project will last for three years.
Hitachi has revealed a tiny single-seat vehicle called Ropits; that’s Robot for Personal Intelligent Transport System. Ropit is a robot vehicle that can pick up and drop off passengers independently. Just punch in the destination and it will take you there. The vehicle is meant to travel on sidewalks and Hitachi had demonstrated its capability in the city of Tsukuba today. There will be more tests to come. (more…)
Hitachi has unveiled its Ropits single passenger robot car, which looks like a Fisher Price Cozy Coupe for adults and does the driving all on its own. The name and style prompt one to think of a science fiction contraption, but it’s the vehicle’s autonomic functionality that truly brings the idea of “futuristic” to the forefront.
Ropits stands for Robot for Personal Intelligent Transport System, and was designed to aid those who find walking difficult. The idea is that Ropits vehicles could be outfitted in a city, for example, and hailed via a computer or kiosk of some sort positioned in various places around town. The robotic car will retrieve the passenger and whisk him or her away to their destination.
The tiny car achieves its autonomic functionality via a variety of navigation tools, including GPS, a gyro sensor, and laser sensors. The gyro will help the car remain stable on uneven roads, while the laser sensors will be used to judge distance from items. The GPS, obviously, will allow the passenger to tell Ropits where to go.
A quick glance at the vehicle could prompt concerns that it may be unstable with such a small base, but those concerns have been addressed by Hitachi, which designed the Ropits so that each wheel is controlled via what it calls active suspension, helping to keep things both stable and comfortable. What do you think of this little car? Let us know in the comments!
Hyundai is set to debut its 2014 Equus (also known as the Centennial) at the upcoming New York Auto Show. In preparation, the manufacturer has released two videos giving us a pretty solid glimpse of the car, the first one showing off its driving dynamics, and the second offering a look at its concept and design. We have both the videos after the jump.
The driving dynamics video is interesting enough, mostly providing a complete look at the Equus’s body, but also offering a few glimpses at its interior, where we see a concept animation of its instrument panel modes. There are close ups of the lights, windows, and other such aspects of the vehicle, all of it set to gentle piano music with the occasional flower petal fluttering by.
The second video featured below is its polar opposite, setting the scene with dramatic music that accompanies us throughout the car’s interior, where we’re given point-by-point looks at its different features, both external and internal (but mostly internal). Check out the video, then get a run down of its specifications below.
The Equus will be available in White Frost AT, Sterling Silver AU, Phantom Black AF, Hyper Metallic NY, Blue Baltico PUE, and Cona Black VB2. The vehicle features fully adaptive LED headlights, wrap-around LED rear lights, a card-type start key, a shift by wire transmission system, and there’s a 9.2-inch monitor in the center console. Perhaps its most alluring feature, however, is the full thin-film transistor LCD cluster, which changes styles based on the driving mode.
We’ll have more details when the 2014 Equus makes it debut later this month.
While most vehicles are equipped with computers that can provide diagnostic information to mechanics, the owners of the cars don’t usually have the resources to get that kind of information for themselves. However, a new Bluetooth dongle that attaches to your car’s onboard diagnostics (OBD) port allows you send diagnostic information about your car to your iPhone.
The little device is called the Automatic Link, and it’s available for pre-order right now for $80. The accessory will tell you why your “check engine” light is on, and it also can give you tons of trip information, including your gas mileage, your driving style, and can even tell you where you parked your car.
Since the device plugs into the OBD port, it’ll only work on vehicles that were built from 1996 and onward, so those with classic vehicles won’t be able to take advantage of the new tool. Automatic can give you personalized feedback on your driving style with a weekly drive score that’s based on a scale from 0-100. The score is based on how well you manage fuel efficiency and safety, and the app will give you tips on how to increase fuel efficiency.
The device will even alert emergency services with your location if you ever get into an accident. The app can even contact any of your significant others to let them know that you got into an accident and that emergency services are on the way. The dongle communicates with your iPhone through Bluetooth. Automatic Link will start shipping in May.
The Lamborghini Aventador is easily one of the most incredible and best-performing sports cars in all the world. It also happens to be one of the most expensive sports cars in the world. A company called Cars for Starts has unveiled a Lamborghini Aventador concept that has been turned into a stretch limousine.
The typical Aventador, if you can call a snarling Lamborghini typical, has a pair of doors that lift into the air and those doors are a Lamborghini trademark. The stretch Lamborghini has two of those doors on each side. The images you see here show a conceptual design for the stretch limousine, whether or not the Lamborghini limo will actually be built remains to be seen.
Considering that the Aventador has a massive engine producing 690 hp, I don’t think the stretch the version of the exotic sports car will require any additional power to get those lucky enough to ride inside around town. Cars for Stars is seeking a sponsor to help them bring the stretch Lamborghini from a concept to the real world.
The company is offering 12 months of free advertising for anyone who sponsors the project and will name the car to incorporate the name of the company. I think the car needs a better name than Aventador Limo, I vote for Limotador. If the vehicle should actually come to the real world the company promises that it will have heated seats, rear plasma screens, surround sound, iPod docks, a wet bar, and lots more. Check out the rendered video showing more details of the concept car below.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
