Mitsubishi was once the premier Asian manufacturer of just about everything - and makes many fine car for others, but under its own brand, it has been looking for a bona-fide automotive success for some extended time.
This may be it for them - and 'just-in-time' to perhaps avert bankruptcy ( 'just-in-time' is their middle name, it seems). All four wheels have an individual electric motor built into the wheel itself - and the flat batteries are built into the floor of the van. It's all usable space inside ... http://www.megawattmotorworks.com/display.asp?dismode=article&artid=260 The "monobox" appearance may take some getting-used-to - but hey, for those who treasure what's on the inside - this looks to be the best eco-thing to come down the pike in some time.... assuming those batteries are available now, and at a reasonable price. "Mitsubishi Premiers Electric MiniVan Concept" Source: Mitsubishi Motors (2/28/2006) The Mitsubishi Concept- EZ MIEV 4WD mono-box concept (at the 76th Geneva International Motor Show) employs 4 in-wheel motors and a high energy-density lithium-ion battery system as core technologies. The Concept has high-stability road-hugging looks and a wheel-at-a-corner layout made possible by using an outer-rotor type in-wheel motor in each wheel. The under-floor lithium-ion battery system keeps the floor low and flat. Way cool.... And speaking of bad timing (just-out-of-time?)... didn't GM just sell their stake in Mitsubishi...
