iMiEV FAQ
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HOW FAST CAN THE MITSUBISHI I GO?
The car has a top speed of about 81 mph and is fully freeway capable.
HOW POWERFUL IS THE MOTOR?
We’re using an efcient 49 kWh AC synchronous motor that produces 66 hp and 145 ft/lbs of instant torque. In plain English, the Mitsubishi i provides
lots of instant acceleration. You’ll nd that the Mitsubishi i has surprising pickup and it’s really fun to drive.
DO I HAVE TO LEARN ANYTHING NEW TO DRIVE THE CAR?
While there’s plenty new to marvel at, there’s little new to learn. The Mitsubishi i drives just like a gasoline-powered car and you’ll be right at home
behind the wheel. Charging the vehicle is easy, too. Just plug it in.
IS IT FRONT WHEEL DRIVE OR REAR WHEEL DRIVE?
For many performance and practical reasons, the Mitsubishi i is rear wheel drive.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DRIVE MODES?
The Mitsubishi i shift selector provides three convenient modes for the driver to choose from:
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D-position: Generates 100% torque in direct response to accelerator input and allows the driver to enjoy the full performance potential.
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Eco-position: Reduces battery consumption by limiting power output to deliver maximum economy.
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B-position: Increases the regenerative brake bias to maximize energy recycling. Power output is the same as D-position.
HOW DOES THE EXPERIENCE COMPARE TO A GASOLINE CAR?
We’ve engineered the Mitsubishi i to perform just like a gasoline-powered car. You’ll notice surprising acceleration, smooth braking and an overall
driving experience that’s just plain fun. And since the gasoline combustion engine has been replaced by an efcient 100% electric motor you’ll
experience a nice, quiet ride.
WHAT KIND OF HORSEPOWER CAN I EXPECT FROM THE MITSUBISHI I?
The actual horsepower of an electric engine can be deceiving and the comparison to gas cars isn’t quite fair. For example, it may sound like our 66-horsepower
motor doesn’t have much power. But the real judge of power in an electric motor is torque, and we have 145 lb-ft of it. That’s a nice amount, since 100% of torque
is instantly available from electric motors, unlike gasoline engines. So in the end, when you step on the accelerator in the Mitsubishi i, you denitely feel it.
WILL THE MITSUBISHI I COME WITH A MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION?
The Mitsubishi i comes standard with a single x reduction gear transmission (basically, a single speed automatic transmission).
HOW DOES THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM WORK?
When you take your foot off of the accelerator pedal, the regenerative braking system takes effect. Using the kinetic effect from deceleration, the energy
is restored to the primary battery, thereby extending the battery range. When decelerating, the motion energy is converted into electric energy—basically
the Mitsubishi i is now using the motor as a power generator.
Performance
