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The world premiere of the Mitsubishi Concept-PX MiEV, a plug-in hybrid crossover, will take place at the Tokyo Motor Show.
It’s full of acronyms; it uses Mitsubishi’s all-new S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control), that utilises E-AYC (Electric-powered Active Yaw Control) which transfers torque to the rear left and right wheels.
The front and rear wheels are powered by two permanent magnet synchronous motors. It’s also fitted with a 1.6-litre petrol engine which can power the front wheels as well as work as a generator.
It comes with the newly-developed Mitsubishi Plug-in Hybrid System, which automatically switches to the optimum drive mode for different driving conditions.
At low to medium vehicle speeds the PX-MiEV’s drive battery powers the front motor using front-wheel drive. When driving on snow, in the rain or in other slippery situations where maximum vehicle stability is required, the system automatically switches to four-wheel drive mode by feeding power to the rear wheel motor when sensors detect any front wheel slip.
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When the remaining energy in the drive battery falls to a predetermined level the system starts the petrol 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.At higher vehicle speeds the car is supported by the petrol engine which operates more efficiently than the electric motors at high revs. In this mode, the petrol engine also helps drive the wheels.
When the driver makes sudden lane changes or other manoeuvres requiring greater vehicle stability the system switches to four-wheel drive by bringing in the rear motor to drive the rear wheels, improving stability.
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 petrol engine, providing improved acceleration.
When the vehicle is slowing or coasting down a hill the system switches to regenerative mode in which kinetic energy reclaimed from the wheels is stored in the drive battery.
As with the production i-MiEV, the 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 Programme 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.
As a way to maximise the usefulness of the power stored in the drive battery based on the “Smart Grid Framework”, the 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.
The PX-MiEV uses Mitsubishi’s S-AWC integrated vehicle handling control system which 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.
