Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range

Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range Mitsubishi is stretching the electric jellybean. For years, the i-MiEV was regular presence at Mitsubishi's auto show booths around the world, and the car rightfully earned its nickname because of its rounded shape. Today, at the Geneva Motor Show, Mitsubishi finally unveiled a version of the i-MiEV that looks much more more at home among the alternative-powertrain car fleet of the near future.

Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range

Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range

Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range

Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range

Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range

Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range

Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range

Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range headlight

But there's more being elongated here than just the shape. The official range of the standard i (as the i-MiEV is known in the US) is 62 miles. The Concept CA-MiEV – where the CA stands for Compact and Advanced – is supposed to be able to go 300 kilometers (186 miles) from a 28-kWh lithium-ion battery and lightweight 80-kW motor/inverter/charger unit. This is kind of astonishing, given the range estimates of other compact and midsize EVs on the market today – most are in the 80-100-mile range. Of course, the specific test used to get the 186-mile result matters, too, since the regular i received 98 miles on the LA4 driving cycle range. The US-i has a 16-kWh pack.

The increased distance means that Mitsubishi is talking about the Concept CA-MiEV as the "suburban EV," with enough range for "about one week of driving for an average European driver." If you need more, Mitsubishi hints that the flat battery pack leaves room for a range-extender. Add in convenience features like WiTricity wireless charging and the ability for the car to send an emergency email if it's stolen, and you've got the commuting vehicle of the future. With a coefficient of drag of just 0.26 and boomerang lights, of course.

Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range

Mitsubishi is saying the CA-MiEV is "not planned for production," and is instead a showcase for "the various technologies MMC intends to introduce mid- to long-term across its range of global vehicles." That means, perhaps, some of the goodies here could make their way to rebadged, updated versions of the Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero models, both based on the i-MiEV. Check out our gallery of the CA-MiEV and read more in the press release below.

Mitsubishi debuts Concept CA-MiEV, a new suburban EV with a 186-mile range