Testing Mitsubishi's quirky 'i' city car
Introduction
The Mitsubishi i pushes accepted wisdom to its limits. Convention says small cars have engines of around 1.0-litre and cabins that can just about squeeze in four people. The Mitsubishi i, however, uses a tiny 660cc turbocharged engine to power a car that will fit four adults with ease. Coupled to good economy and low emissions, that makes the Mitsubishi worth considering for anyone looking for an environmentally effective small car.
What is it?
Mitsubishi has taken a radical approach with the i. It has an aluminium frame for low weight and the 660cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine is mounted at the back. This creates more than enough cabin room for four adults, yet the i takes up less road space than a Fiat 500. The funky cabin offers a good driving position and the airy cabin gives the driver excellent all-round vision.
The engine drives through a four-speed automatic gearbox, which is the only transmission option. It delivers 54.6mpg combined economy and emits 114g/km of carbon dioxide, so will be exempt from London's forthcoming Congestion Charge changes. It's not as economical as some cheaper rivals, but the i compensates with a £150 fixed fee three-year servicing plan.
How does it drive?
The i's natural habitat is the city, where its compact dimensions and automatic gearbox make it a cinch for nipping through traffic-blocked streets. There's enough low-down shove from the engine to get away from the lights and out of side roads without any worries, while all-round visibility is excellent. It has a tight turning circle and the light steering makes parking easy and the short front end means it's easy to seek out a parking spot in the tightest of bays.
Head out of town and the i is less at home. The engine pulls well enough on the motorway, but there's lot of noise. There's also more wind and road noise than in the likes of the Citroen C1 or Fiat 500. Another problem is that the small wheels tend to follow the ruts left by trucks on the motorway, though the ride copes with most surface horrors reasonably well. However, side winds and the blast from lorries upsets the Mitsubishi's balance more than sometimes feels comfortable.
Planet hugger or planet mugger?
With its better-than-most carbon dioxide emissions of 114g/km and decent 54.6mpg economy, the Mitsubishi i is definitely a step in the right direction for environmentally aware car buyers. However, there are caveats. If you spend most of your time alone in the car, there are others with similarly good green credentials that offer a better drive and greater refinement. On the other hand, if you regularly need four seats and spend most of your time in town, the i is a funky way to preserve the planet.
Verdict
The Mitsubishi i appeals as a rival to the MINI and Fiat 500 for its quirky style and it provides much greater space for passengers than either of these rivals. However, there are a number of other competitors that serve up a better driving experience while still giving equally good emissions and economy for less cash. The i is best considered a fun way to go green, but is too pricey as a straightforward city car.
Tuesday March 25
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