Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV

Tags: concept cars, mitsubishi, tokyo 2009 Published on 1 October 2009 | views

Presented at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV is powered by a Plug-in Hybrid System that uses differential motorsand a gasoline engine/generator, and features a four-seat interior inspired by airplane cockpits.

The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV is a new-generation concept car that balances high environmental performance with road performance by utilizing differential motors and S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control), that utilizes E-AYC (Electric-powered Active Yaw Control) which transfers torque to the rear left and right wheels.

Powered by the new Mitsubishi Plug-in Hybrid System, which significantly extends the frequency a hybrid vehicle is driven in EV mode, the Mitsubishi Concept PX*2-MiEV*3 returns fuel economy in excess of 50 km/liter.

Other features include Mitsubishi's cocochi-interior*4, which provides occupants with a comfortable cabin environment, as well as many safety technologies.

Design

Solid, Safety, and Simple were the keywords which drove the development of an exterior design suitable for a next-generation crossover that creates simple appearance from which all extraneous elements have been pared and that is free of the "rugged" elements typical in conventional SUVs.

The headlamps and rear combination lamps use LED emitters that give the car a modern appearance as well as delivering reduced power consumption.

The body uses a newly-developed metal color that gives the car a metal shell-like appearance. The body paint also incorporates heat-reflective and insulation technology.

Combining elements of both spoke and dish styling, the wheel design showcase a new look while improving brake cooling and aerodynamic performance.

Interior Design

The interior was designed to give an image of an airplane cockpit to improve the driver's concentration, with an instrument panel that envelops the driver and utilizes seats that keep the passengers firmly in place.

In addition, the entire instrument panel and door trim utilize soft LED lighting that express the vehicle's innovation and refinement.

The interior is based on the "Clean, Stress-free and Safe & Reassuring" theme.

The cabin embraces occupants in a pleasantly comfortable cabin environment with four individual seats.

This so-called cocochi-interior ("cocochi" is a pun on the Japanese word for "cozy") features seat upholstery that deactivates allergens, breaks down VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and offensive odor molecules as well as killing bacteria; glass that shuts out UV-A radiation to protect skin from darkening and aging; and a negative-ion aroma humidifier and oxygen enricher that improve comfort and reduce fatigue.

The windshield uses heat-reflecting glass to reduce the amount of heat energy passing through and uses IR- (infrared ray) blocking glass in the door windows.

The new-generation steering wheel integrates audio, navigation, and climate control switches and offers high visibility for less stressful driving.

From the official Press Release:

Technical Features

The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV adopts the brand's Plug-in Hybrid System, which includes two permanent magnet synchronous motors that power the front and rear wheels and a 1.6L DOHC MIVEC gasoline engine which can power the front wheels as well as work as a generator.

An electronic circuitry automatically switches to the optimum drive mode for different driving conditions and remaining energy in the drive battery to extract maximum efficiency from the electric motors and from the gasoline engine.

The MiEV OS (MiEV Operating System) selects the optimum drive mode through integrated control of the EV components and the gasoline engine as well as controls optimum electrical charge and output in response to remaining battery energy through constant monitoring of the drive battery.

A power supply mode allows the use of some battery power to supply domestic appliances or as an emergency power source in the event of a natural disaster.

The S-AWC integrated vehicle handling control system is configured around an E-4WD (Electronically-powered four-wheel drive) system that controls front and rear motor output to deliver the optimum front/rear drive torque split.

Unlike the AYC system on the Lancer Evolution X which uses a wet multi-plate clutch arrangement, E-AYC uses a differential motor to control rear wheel torque split.

The use of the differential motor makes for a high-efficiency system with outstanding response and contributes to the on-demand handling and outstanding vehicle stability that characterizes the S-AWC system.

The electronically-controlled air suspension gives the driver the choice of three ride height modes - Auto, High, Low - for improved stability over poor surfaces or at high speeds and for easier access to and from the vehicle.

New active safety technologies include the "New Multi-around Monitor" system which uses cameras located at strategic points on the body to provide the driver with a combined image of the full perimeter of the vehicle; support for the Driving Safety Support System (DSSS (Level II)) currently being promoted by the Japanese National Police Agency; the Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC*5) system, employing the road-to-vehicle communications capabilities to determine the position of the vehicle and whether it is parked or not.

Hybrid System Operating modes

EV mode

At low to middle vehicle speeds the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV's drive battery powers the front motor using front-wheel drive. When driving on snow, in the rain or in other low surface friction situations where maximum vehicle stability is required, the system automatically switches to four-wheel drive mode by feeding power to the rear wheel motor as well when sensors detect any front wheel slip.

Series hybrid mode

When the remaining energy in the drive battery falls to a predetermined level the system starts the gasoline engine to generate electricity and automatically switches to the series hybrid mode using the electricity generated to power the motors. In this mode as well, the system switches to four-wheel drive by driving the rear motor depending on driving conditions.

Parallel hybrid mode

At higher vehicle speeds the car is supported by the gasoline engine which operates more efficiently than the electric motors at high revolutions. In this mode, the gasoline engine also helps drive the wheels. When the driver makes sudden lane changes or other maneuvers requiring greater vehicle stability the system switches to four-wheel drive by bringing in the rear motor to drive the rear wheels, improving stability. In addition when overtaking at higher speeds or in other situations requiring faster acceleration the system switches in both front and rear motors to provide additional power and assist the gasoline engine, providing high acceleration.

Regenerative mode

When the vehicle is slowing or coasting down a long descending slope the system switches to regenerative mode in which kinetic energy reclaimed from the wheels is stored in the drive battery.

Charging mode

As with the production i-MiEV, Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV features a 3-way battery charging system using either a 100-volt or a 200-volt domestic supply or a high-power quick-charging station. The system also incorporates a Wireless Charging Program feature that allows the owner to start charging the battery or start the air conditioner at a preset time even when away from the vehicle.

Power supply mode

The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV also subscribes to the "Smart Grid" concept that calls for maximizing the effective use of electrical power and which is currently attracting attention in the fight to combat global warming. When not on the road the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV allows the owner to store electricity at night and then use that electricity via the normal charging connector to power home appliances during the daytime when domestic electricity consumption is highest. This allows the drive battery to be used as a power source in the event of a natural disaster. Should the electricity left in the battery fall below a predetermined level, the gasoline engine starts up and works as generator to maintain the power supply at a fixed level.

A 100-volt AC auxiliary socket in the rear luggage compartment also allows the electricity stored in the drive battery to be used to power cooking or lighting equipment and other appliances when camping or engaged in other leisure activities.