X

Photos: Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport concept

Mitsubishi has been working on electric cars for years, and the i MiEV Sport, shown at the 2007 Tokyo auto show, sits at the current apex of development.

CNET Reviews staff
IMIEV_01_440.jpg
1 of 6 CNET Networks
Mitsubishi's work on electric cars has gone beyond making them reliable and eco-friendly to actually making them sporty. To enhance this concept's performance, Mitsubishi gave it S-AWC, the company's rally-proven all-wheel-drive system. And the little grilles in front aren't for cooling--they hide small turbines that generate electricity for the car's drive system.
IMIEV_02_440.jpg
2 of 6 CNET Networks
The drivetrain of the i MiEV Sport consists of two in-wheel electric motors up front and a single electric motor in back driving both rear wheels. All together, the motors produce 87 kilowatts.
IMIEV_03_440.jpg
3 of 6 CNET Networks
Each front in-wheel motor produces 20 kilowatts, almost equaling the rear motor's 47 kilowatts, a power distribution that should give the car very unique handling.
IMIEV_04_440.jpg
4 of 6 CNET Networks
The canopy over the top of the i MiEV Sport houses solar cells that give the car extra juice on sunny days. Mitsubishi says the car has a 200-kilometer range, but it doesn't specify whether that's on a sunny or cloudy day.
IMIEV_05_440.jpg
5 of 6 CNET Networks
A flap to the side of the license plate conceals the plug. The i MiEV Sport takes 8.5 hours to charge from a 200-volt source, but a specially developed quick charger can get its batteries up to 80 percent capacity in 35 minutes. The car is also built with a receiver in the undercarriage for a wireless charging system.
IMIEV_06_440.jpg
6 of 6 CNET Networks
There is as much tech in the cabin of the i MiEV Sport as there is in the drivetrain. When it's plugged in, it can use its powerline connection to send and receive data, so you can update its navigation system from your home computer, or upload some music to it.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos