Mitsubishi i-MiEV pricing announced (EU)

Mitsubishi has revealed some new information on the forthcoming Euro-spec i-MiEV electric city-car.

Compared to the Japanese variant, the European model has remodelled bumpers, centre console and "improved interior comfort." Compare to the regular petrol ‘i-car’, the i-MiEV comes with ASC (Active Stability Control) and side & curtain airbags as standard.

The EV features a lithium-ion battery which powers a small 63bhp (64PS) electric motor has 180Nm (133lb-ft) of torque. This allows for a range of 100 miles (160 km). UK consumers will pay 96p per charge – Mitsubishi claims it will cost £144 for 12,000 miles of driving.

Due to go on sale in December, the i-MiEV will be launched in 14 countries; Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom. Prices will vary from €33,000 - €35,000 (or equivalent), but government incentives will lower it to €30,000 in most countries. UK models start from £28,990, or £23,990 after the governments £5,000 incentive. Mitsubishi originally priced the EV at £38,699.

Servicing costs will be substantially lower compared to a internal combustion engine, due to the fact the EV has 4 moving parts, while a internal combustion engine has around 300 moving parts.

Over 2,300 i-MiEVs have been in force on Japanese roads since full production started in July 2009.

UK i-MiEVs will be offered with a range of personalisation options, including roof and door mirror graphics, stereo/MP3 systems, leather interior and environmentally friendly accessories such as floor mats made from biodegradable bamboo fibre. Deliveries will start in January 2011.

Oullim Cars

Audi increasing A1 production

Audi will be increasing the production of its A1 supermini, to meet early demand.

Audi’s sales executive, Peter Schwarzenbauer also approved plans for the A1 to be sold in China and the U.S. China will see the car launch in mid-2012, however, the U.S is likely to see the A1 in its second generation. Originally, Audi discarded the idea of selling the A1 outside of Europe.

Schwarzenbauer said production had been boosted by 20% at Audi’s Brussels factory, where the A1 is produced. The firm initially penned to manufacture 100,000 A1s annually from 2012. This year will see around 50,000 being built when production started in May and 80,000 in 2011.

In addition, Audi has received over 150,000 interests in the A1 from customers internationally and this persuaded Audi to expand sales outside of Europe.

The A1 is in place to become the biggest-selling car in Audi’s history and will launch in the UK in October; about the same time as the revised Mini, with a price tag of £13,145. Schwarzenbauer said earlier this year that early A1 demand was likely to outstrip supply and 90% of buyers were new to the new Audi brand.