Mitsubishi's New SUV Concept Can Run on Diesel, Kerosene, or Alcohol

Mitsubishi finally showed off the Mi-Tech Concept—an off-left field small plug-in hybrid electric SUV that embodies the company’s brand statement, “Drive Your Ambition.” A purely design concept for now, the Mi-Tech Concept does show a new plug-in hybrid drivetrain, a four-motor electric all-wheel drive system, and the most advanced driver assist tech—things which will make it to future Mitsubishi production models.

Taking on a buggy-like appearance, the Mi-Tech adopts the signature Dynamic Shield front design concept, now finished in satin silver (with copper as a secondary color) to accentuate its bold nature. It also has T-shaped headlights which may make it to future Mitsubishi models.

On the sides, the highly raised overfenders and large diameter tires project stability to take on any terrain while at the back, the rear-end looks to be shaped from a single piece of metal ingot while also echoing the same T-shaped light pattern used on the front.

Inside, it’s all about minimalism and simplicity. Mitsubishi has also opted to project all relevant driving information onto the windshield.

Perhaps the most bonkers thing about the Mi-Tech Concept is that it’s a plug-in hybrid vehicle that uses a gas turbine engine as a power generator. Mitsubishi says they’ve chosen to use a gas turbine engine for its high-power output relative to size and the fact that it can be run on a variety of fuels such as diesel, kerosene, and alcohol.

Moreover, the Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) now uses a quad-motor system with the front and rear acting as yaw control units. Mitsubishi has also made the brake caliper engagement electric allowing for faster response while also giving a high level of accuracy and control. While this will give better confidence in all conditions, Mitsubishi says it should provide new driving experiences by allowing the left and right tires to counter rotate creating 180-degree spins.

Aside from augmented reality technology, the Mitsubishi Mi-Tech Concept comes with the next-generation driver assistance technology which extends driver support not only on-road driving, but on off-road driving as well.

Mitsubishi Combines SUV Design and Small Car Proportions in the Super Height K-Wagon Concept

Mitsubishi of late has always iterated that they’ll be focusing on two product segments: small cars and utility vehicles. Now, what if you combine the two? Well, that’s what the upcoming Super Height K-Wagon Concept is.

If having one outrageous concept car isn’t bonkers enough, Mitsubishi is combining kei car dimensions with “SUV-taste” design for their latest concept. Though no details have been revealed yet, it’s very clear from the teaser silhouette that it’ll be a tall riding thing. Still, it’s expected to fit into the mandatory kei car dimensions: 3,400 mm in length 1,480 mm in width, and 2,000 mm height. No word on the powertrain either, but it’s a safe bet that the Super Height K-Wagon will max out the regulations at 63 horsepower using a 660-cc engine. Oh, and since Mitsubishi manufactures its kei car for Nissan, a pure EV drivetrain is also likely just like the IMk Concept.

Despite its small size, Mitsubishi promises a “maximized living space” while a full range of safety features including forward collision mitigation braking and pedal misapplication mitigation. The carmaker is confident that it’ll meet the SAPO or Safety Support Car S classification.

Together with the MI-TECH Concept, Mitsubishi will be removing the shadows on the Super Height K-Wagon Concept at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.

F*ck Rotaries, Mitsubishi is Going to Experiment Using a Gas Turbine Engine

As the general public gained a fascination with aviation in the 1960s, several car companies came up with wacky concept cars powered by a gas turbine engine. Well, it seems automotive engineering is just like fashion because Mitsubishi is going all turbine with the MI-TECH Concept which they will unveil at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The Mitsubishi MI-TECH Concept is a wacky electric SUV that looks like an open-top buggy. The carmaker says that it delivers “unparalleled driving pleasure and confidence over all terrain.” It has a downsized and lighter plug-in hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain, a four-motor electric 4WD system and advanced driver assistance with active safety systems.

The MI-TECH name is constructed using the “M” from Mitsubishi and the “I” from Intelligent, Ingenious and Inspired, while the TECH is an abbreviation of Technology.

Interestingly, the concept is using a gas turbine engine generator instead of a petrol engine generator, allowing the driver to use pure-electric driving mode and series hybrid modes, delivering the smooth and powerful performance characteristics inherent to electrified vehicles.

The MI-TECH Concept is driven by a four-motor 4WD system called Quad Motor with Dual Motor Active Yaw Control (AYC) with two motors for both the front and rear axles. This allows optimum torque to be delivered to all four wheels, bringing confidence to the driver with precise handling for the daily use and also enhanced performance for adventuring off-road.

Inside, the MI-TECH Concept adopts a human machine interface (HMI) that projects a variety of information, detected by using advanced optical sensing technology, onto the windscreen of the vehicle, while the MI-PILOT driver assistance system not only alerts the driver in potential collision situations, it also supports the operation of the steering wheel and brakes. In addition, active safety systems support the driver in avoiding collisions and mitigating any collision damage. All these systems work together to deliver a reassuring, safe and enjoyable driving experience.

Guess all that is left is to see this rather interesting concept car (minus the shadows) at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show this month.

Mitsubishi is Pushing Its Anime-Inspired Design to the Extreme

By now, everyone recognizes Mitsubishi’s design as “anime-inspired.” Well, it looks like they’re taking things up at notch at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show with their new small plug-in hybrid SUV concept.

In what looks to be some sort of fans or boosters stuck to the roof, this new concept car looks fairly reminiscent of something straight out of Daimos, particularly the Tryper 75 S. For those not old enough then, perhaps you could think something along the lines of the cars in Super Sentai shows.

Currently, nothing is known what those four vents/fans/boosters actually do, but here’s hoping it does make it jump…preferably to the back of a moving Fuso truck.

Even the official press release has the following line:

“[It is] an electric SUV that delivers unparalleled driving pleasure and confidence over all terrain in light and wind.”

Please be a jumping car, Mitsubishi. It’s the least you can do for killing off the Evo and making the Eclipse into a crossover.

Anyhow, this out-of-the-world concept will have a “downsized, lower-weight plug-in hybrid EV drivetrain as well as an electric 4WD system...so that should make it exciting?

Let’s see how it looks like next month.