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But the i-MIEV-based Cargo remains a wish-list car for the Adelaide-based local Mitsubishi operations. Mitsubishi Australia's chief of brand management, Paul Unerkov, reckons the Cargo would have great potential locally.
But with demand for the i-MIEV already outstripping supply in Japan and the factory running flat out to build batteries for the city car, he says any prospect of a Cargo-style electric van being sold locally are a long way off. "The Cargo could certainly work here," he says. "But the issue is battery supply. "Mitsubishi is tripling production of the batteries for the i-MIEV to meet demand."
Demand for the i-MIEV in Japan has also meant its arrival into local showrooms has been pushed back to the first quarter of next year. But Mitsubishi Australia chief, Rob McEniry, is confident he will get the numbers he wants and the car will arrive with a price point close to the Toyota Prius. "We are working on our allocations now," he says.
The Cargo, along with the PX-MIEV concept all-wheel drive, will be unveiled at next week's Tokyo Motor Show. Like the i-MIEV, the Cargo should have a range of 160km and top speed of 130km/h, making it perfect for inner-city delivery applications.
At 3395mm long and 1860mm high, the van is 36mm longer and 260mm higher than the cute i-MIEV. By reconfiguring the rear area Mitsubishi has been able to free up 1743 litres of space.
Like the four-door, the Cargo has copied the original's curvaceous front section. But from the B-pillar back, the electric car morphs into a high-riding boxy wagon that gives it a distinctive on-road presence. The car's big plus is its boxy load-carrying area. Mitsubishi has ensured that every centimetre of available space has been utilised. The height of the compartment floor has also been designed to facilitate loading and unloading of luggage and make it more user-friendly. Inside, the cabin shares the clean and simple elements of the i-MIEV.
The i-MIEV's electric engine develops 47kW/180Nm and drives the rear wheels. Its permanent magnet synchronous engine is supported by a lithium-ion battery pack from the newly formed joint venture company Lithium Energy Japan. The car can be recharged overnight or in about 30 minutes using a quick-charge outlet.
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