Mitsubishi i

Dial "i" for innovation with this micro car from Mitsubishi. Andy Enright reports

If theres an easier car to drive for sale in the UK than the Mitsubishi i, Ive yet to get behind the wheel of it. Heres a real citycar, designed for the city full stop. Its very small, very simple and very cute. But will that be enough?

Although its a common belief that Japanese manufacturing operates on a plane removed from the rest of the world, its also true that their culture is also often out of synch with Western traditions. Witness the kei-car boom of the nineties when the Japanese government offered all sorts of tax breaks to buyers of tiny 660cc cars. While these models sold like hot rice cakes in Japan, the usual destinations for domestic market used cars, the UK and New Zealand, turned their nose up at them. Yes, Suzuki sold a few Cappuccinos and the grey import Honda Beat was a minor cult hit but the vast majority of kei-cars never even made it to the dock at Yokohama, the agents failing to find Western buyers.

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So why should Mitsubishis "i" prove any different? In all reality it wont and Mitsubishi recognise that this car will never be big business, the first years quota being a mere 300 units. Compare that to the 37,000 sold in Japan in 2006 and youll begin to realise that perhaps the appeal of this quirky citycar is somewhat lost in translation. Still, itll certainly have its appeal for urban buyers who want something different. Slide inside and youll find that theres no clutch pedal in the "i". Instead, an INVECS-II four-speed automatic transmission offers press and play accessibility. The engine is a tiny 660cc three-cylinder unit and while the front end of the car looks as if its run into the base of a generously proportioned oak, youll look in vain under the concave bonnet for any signs of motive power. The turbocharged and intercooled unit instead sits to the rear, cradled within an aluminium spaceframe chassis.

Mitsubishi chooses not to quote a 0-60 time for the "i" which lends one to believe that it will struggle on more free flowing roads. Our test route was on a closed circuit and here it was readily apparent that in the city environment, it would have more than enough pep to acquit itself well. The published performance figures are 0-50mph in 11.2 seconds and a top speed of 90mph.

With 64bhp to propel it up the road, its fairly eager to step off the mark and the 93Nm torque figure is developed at a relatively low 3,000rpm thanks to that turbocharger. A tiny turning radius of just 4.5m is testament to that wheel at each corner design. Its incredibly easy to place the car very accurately because of this lack of overhang, front and rear and parking is a doddle.

"The Mitsubishi "i" is one of the most cost-effective cars to run currently on sale in this country."

Where kei-cars have developed enormously over the years is in the area of space utilisation. Earlier examples of this breed required you to be proficient in origami in order to fold yourself into them and all too often, they were about as comfortable as a stay at Camp X-Ray. While the Mitsubishi "i" is clearly no Bentley Arnage, it is nevertheless surprisingly spacious. Four adults can fit in for typical city journeys and theres even a usable boot, although the "i" isnt really cut out as a family car. The rear seat back splits to allow larger objects to be carried. Beefy drivers might feel a little tight on shoulder space as the "i" is fully 155mm narrower than a Peugeot 107 and sacrifices have got to come somewhere. Managing these compromises is the genius in this car and it walked away with the 2006 Grand Prize in the highly prestigious Japanese Good Design Awards. IT has also won the RJC Car of the Year 2007, voted for by the Automotive Researchers and Journalists of Japan (RJC). Build quality seems good with the emphasis on simple, no nonsense durability.

Although £8,999 might seem quite a hefty price tag for a citycar, given that this sort of money will buy a larger supermini-class car like an entry-level Renault Clio, theres a charm about this Mitsubishi. The importers hope that this will be more than enough to convince many buyers that it offers personality lacking in mainstream superminis. Marketeers have realised that there exists a growing number of urban buyers who are not price conscious above all else and instead look for something that is convenient, stylish and, most importantly, different. The "i" certainly answers the call in this regard. Just one model is offered to UK customers and its reasonably well equipped with climate control, a six-speaker CD stereo system, electric windows all round and electrically operated and folding door mirrors. The "i" also offers the novelty of Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified hypoallergenic seat fabric. Working with a deodorant roof lining and a clean air filter, this fabric helps purify the cabin. Safety hasnt been ignored in the quest for compactness as theres standard anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, twin front airbags, ISOFIX child seat mountings and anti-trap windows. The Mitsubishi "i" is one of the most cost-effective cars to run currently on sale in this country. Limited supply means that the market is unlikely to become saturated, prompting healthy residual values for used stock. The only cloud on this horizon is if importers twig that this model is becoming popular and start flooding the market with parallel imports from Japan. Given the small numbers being imported, this is by no means inevitable.

Economy is very good, and an average fuel consumption figure of around 55mpg shouldnt be too far wide of the mark. Insurance is also very cheap although the "i" isnt rated quite as highly as the best of the European small cars when it comes to security. A band B emissions rating will also mean cheaper entry into Londons congestion charge zone. Mitsubishi will have no problem shifting all 300 of the "i" cars it has chosen to import. Fresh, funky, entertaining to drive and without the major caveats that affect many of its key rivals, its ideally suited to the cut and thrust of the modern city. Although the asking price isnt inconsequential, the "i" is a desirable package and there will probably be no shortage of urbanites looking for something different who will see it as a must have. The picture looks overwhelmingly rosy for this cars prospects with one exception. There is a huge amount of used stock in Japan that will be aimed at these shores if exporters twig that demand is building for this car. Cheap imports will damage the cars exclusive image and erode residuals.

As it stands however, well give this one a qualified thumbs up.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Mitsubishi i
PRICE: £8,999 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 2 [est]
CO2 EMISSIONS: 120g/km [est]
PERFORMANCE: 0-50mph 11.2s / Max Speed 90mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 55mpg [est]
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat mountings
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 3375/1475/1600mm