Nissan, Mitsubishi unveil jointly developed new all-electric mini-vehicles in Japan
22 May 2022
Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors unveiled their first jointly developed light electric vehicles (EVs)—the Sakura and the eK X EV (pronounced “eK cross EV”), —in Japan. The line-off ceremony took place at the Mitsubishi Motors’ Mizushima Plant in Kurashiki City, Okayama Pref., Japan, where the vehicle is produced.
Under planning and development management by NMKV, a joint venture of Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors, the Kei EV has not only integrated Nissan’s advanced technologies with Mitsubishi Motors’ expertise in manufacturing Kei cars, but also the two companies’ combined electrification technologies.
In addition to the EV production technology that the Mizushima Plant has honed through the i-MiEV as well as Minicab MiEV, the plant has achieved high quality and cost competitiveness through the investments for on-site battery pack integrated production, EV platform production line, and more.
Sales of the Nissan Sakura are scheduled to start this summer, with pricing from ¥2,333,100 to ¥2,940,300 (US$18,000 to $23,000). Sales of the Mitsubishi eK X EV will start in June, with pricing from ¥2,398,000 to ¥2,932,600 (US$18,800 to $22,900).
The vehicles feature a 20 kWh battery pack supporting a range of 180 km (112 miles) (WLTC). The battery pack, which uses a special stacking method for its cells, is thin and laid out under the floor. The roof panel has been made slim to give the vehicle a low center of gravity, thereby reducing roll when cornering.
Weight is distributed at a near-ideal ratio of 56:44 between the front and rear to optimize the four-wheel ground load balance, while the suspension is specially tuned to achieve nimble yet stable operability, giving a relaxed, high-quality ride.
Maximum torque from the 47 kW motor is 195 N·m. Three drive modes are available: normal, Eco and Sport.
Now this is more like an ecological solution.
The notion that hugely accelerating massively heavy bling cars for the wealthy are environmentally friendly, especially when they are currently reliant on relatively scarce resources, has always been dubious to the point of near absurdity, although handy for the well of to get subsidy and tax breaks at the expense of poorer motorists.
The only thing I really dislike about these small city cars is the tiny wheels, which mean that every time you hit a pot hole it is extremely uncomfortable.
The BMW i3 did not make that mistake.
Even at the expense of a slightly larger package my view is that a city car should be very comfortable in the city.
Posted by: Davemart | 22 May 2022 at 03:25 AM
These are the cars world requires for the earth to survive. These will sell in millions instead of heavy resource wasting mosters.Range can be extended a bit more.
Posted by: Nirmalkumar | 22 May 2022 at 03:36 AM
Same size, power, and price as the top selling Honda N-Box. This should sell well in Japan where Kei cars are 40% of all small vehicles. Range will improve when Nissan moves to their solid state battery in 2025.
Posted by: Gryf | 22 May 2022 at 10:44 AM