Motor Authority - blog Tag: Kei

The industry is in pain, but it's still planning for the future. Today that's clear nowhere more so than at Mitsubishi, which has just announced it will be upping its production target of the iMiEV to 20,000 units annually by 2012 up 200% on previous goals of 10,000 per year.

Output targets for 2010 are also up 25%, from 4,000 to 5,000 units. That will ramp up to a target of 10,000 cars by 2010, with the 20,000 annual target to coincide with the car's release for retail sale in 2011.

Already the 2009 output of the iMiEV is spoken for - though not actually sold - with corporations putting in requests for 2,000 of the cars.

The tiny EVs are... The industry is in pain, but it's still planning for the future. Today that's clear nowhere more so than at Mitsubishi, which has just announced it will be upping its production target of the iMiEV to 20,000 units annually by 2012 up 200% on previous goals of 10,000 per year. Output targets for 2010 are also up 25%, from 4,000 to 5,000 units. That will ramp up to a target of 10,000 cars by 2010, with the 20,000 annual target to coincide with the car's release for retail sale in 2011. Already the 2009 output of the iMiEV is spoken for - though not actually sold - with corporations putting in requests for 2,000 of the cars. The tiny EVs are built to fit Japan's kei-class regulations, which give them the advantage of certain parking, insurance and taxation rules. It also makes for a very compact way to transport four adults around at city speeds. When Motor Authority tested the iMiEV at last year's Los Angeles Auto Show, we found the car to be comfortable, capable and generally much more well-rounded than its size and statistics might suggest. It is, nevertheless, a very minimalist and utilitarian vehicle suited only to urban environments and lower-speed duty. Mitsubishi's stock saw a mild rise on the Japanese market as a result of the forward-looking announcement despite the carmaker's overall sales following the market's downward trend.2009 Mitsubishi Prototype i MiEV concept Read More

Nissan has announced base pricing for the all-new Cube minicar earlier this month, starting at $13,990. Now it has revealed pricing for the full line, including the special-edition Krom, which starts at $19,360.

Four variants of the Cube will be sold, dubbed the Cube 1.8, Cube 1.8 S, Cube 1.8 SL, and the Cube 1.8 Krom. In addition, the Cube will also be available with more than 40 individual accessories, ranging from a unique 20-color interior illumination kit and ‘shag carpeting’ instrument panel inserts to aerodynamic body kits and custom 16in aluminum wheels.

The base Cube's entry level price still gets customers a punchy... Nissan has announced base pricing for the all-new Cube minicar earlier this month, starting at $13,990. Now it has revealed pricing for the full line, including the special-edition Krom, which starts at $19,360. Four variants of the Cube will be sold, dubbed the Cube 1.8, Cube 1.8 S, Cube 1.8 SL, and the Cube 1.8 Krom. In addition, the Cube will also be available with more than 40 individual accessories, ranging from a unique 20-color interior illumination kit and ‘shag carpeting’ instrument panel inserts to aerodynamic body kits and custom 16in aluminum wheels. The base Cube's entry level price still gets customers a punchy 122hp (91kW) 1.8L inline four-cylinder engine that can be paired with a six-speed manual. Stepping up to the 1.8 S, priced at $14,690 with manual six-speed or $15,690 with the optional Xtronic CVT, gets higher trim specifications, while the 1.8SL goes further upmarket still at $16,790. The Krom tops the range with its unique options for a base price of $19,360. The range-topping Krom model is differentiated by a number of unique features including 3-bar chrome grille, 2-bar chrome front bumper grille, fully integrated front and rear fascias, body side sills, unique rear roof spoiler, and exclusive 16in alloys. Inside, the Krom picks up Bluetooth hands-free, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an upgraded audio system with six speakers and Rockford Fosgate subwoofer, aluminum pedals, and titanium trim accents. Nissan hasn't yet revealed the estimated EPA fuel economy figures for the Cube but says it expects better than 30mpg on the highway from the CVT-equipped model. Given the typical relationship between CVTs, automatics and manuals, very similar figures can be expected from the six-speed unit as well. Read More

The second-generation Nissan Cube made its world debut last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but specifications and information on the U.S. model were scant. New information has emerged shedding some light on what American buyers of the quirky hatch can expect, however, including power and pricing estimates.

A punchy 122hp (91kW) 1.8L inline four-cylinder engine will power the Cube in the U.S., and can be paired with a choice of either a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a six-speed manual. Nissan hasn't yet revealed the estimated EPA fuel economy figures for the Cube, but says it expects better than 30mph highway from the... The second-generation Nissan Cube made its world debut last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but specifications and information on the U.S. model were scant. New information has emerged shedding some light on what American buyers of the quirky hatch can expect, however, including power and pricing estimates. A punchy 122hp (91kW) 1.8L inline four-cylinder engine will power the Cube in the U.S., and can be paired with a choice of either a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a six-speed manual. Nissan hasn't yet revealed the estimated EPA fuel economy figures for the Cube, but says it expects better than 30mph highway from the CVT-equipped model. Given the typical relationship between CVTs, automatics and manuals, very similar figures can be expected from the six-speed unit as well. Curb weight is pegged at 2,596lb (1,180kg) for Japanese-spec Cubes, though that figure could climb a bit for U.S. models thanks to the larger engine. Three variants of the Cube will be sold as well, dubbed the cube 1.8, cube 1.8 S, and cube 1.8 SL. Exactly what differentiates the trims is still at this point unknown, but Nissan plans to equip six airbags standard on all models to help boost crash test ratings and occupant safety. Taking a page from Scion's treatment of the xB and Honda's Element, Nissan also plans to offer a range of personalization options for the Cube so that buyers can build a unique vehicle at the factory or dealership. The images revealed in Los Angeles showed that Nissan’s new Cube retains the catchy two-box design of its predecessor, but gets an overall smoother, more round-edged appearance. The car is an important model for Nissan globally as it is set to be sold in North America and Europe for the first time. The previous model was limited to Japan and a few other select markets. The new model offers greater comfort, a larger cabin and a host of innovative interior details such as sofa-like seating, a large glass roof panel that extends over the driver's seat for an open, airy view of the outside environment, and a shoji-style roof shade that fills the cabin with gentle light. A three-position rear seat slides back and forth, reclines slightly and folds flat to accommodate large cargo. Its structure is not only more rigid than the outgoing model, but a new strut front suspension and torsion I-beam rear suspension with improved camber rigidity improves handling. A wide stance, resulting from moving the wheels to the corners; allows for sharp cornering and a turning radius of just 15ft (4.6m). Specifications for other markets will likely be released closer to their respective launches but we know the Japanese version of the car will feature a 1.5L HR15D four-cylinder petrol engine developing 107hp (80kW) and 109lb-ft (148Nm) of torque. This will be mated to a CVT transmission with both front and all-wheel-drive versions available. No word has emerged yet on availability of AWD variants in the U.S., but the technology is there, so it is possible. The platform of the new Cube is also likely to be used by Nissan for its first high volume all-electric vehicle, which the company previewed back in March with the Denki Cube EV concept that debuted at the New York Auto Show. The new EVs will feature lithium ion batteries developed under a joint-venture between Nissan and NEC, and the first production vehicles will be trialled in areas like California. Sales of the new Cube started late last year in Japan and will kick-off in North America and Europe around the middle of this year. Pricing will likely kick off around the $19,000 mark for the entry-level cube 1.8.2009 Nissan Cube Read More