2012 Mitsubishi i interior
Premium two-tone interior comes standard on the 2012 Mitsubishi i SE trim level
Redesigned Interior
The 2012 Mitsubishi i features a thoughtfully redesigned interior for the North American marketplace that features a new upscale aesthetic and makes the most of the reconfigured vehicle’s wider dimensions.
Highlights for Mitsubishi's new EV include two distinct trim levels for both the entry-level ES and the premium SE versions of the vehicle, additional information displayed in the driver's gauge cluster, handy new pocket storage bins, utilization of new environmentally-friendly materials and the adoption of Mitsubishi's convenient MiEV remote system as standard while offering upscale options including HDD navigation with FUSE Handsfree Link System™ that allows the operation of an iPod® docked via USB input or a Bluetooth® enabled cell phone simply by voice commands.
Center Console
Center Console design of the 2012 Mitsubishi i SE with Optional HDD Navigation System
Entry-level ES Trim Level
Designed using quality plastics with good tactile feel, the layout of the center console and its accompanying controls provide both the driver and the front passenger excellent ergonomics and intuitive operation of all of its switchgear.
Located at the top of the center stack of the entry-level ES model of the 2012 Mitsubishi i is a convenient segment display (approximately 1 in. tall and about 5 in. wide) that displays such information as audio channels.
Immediately below this display is a sensuous sounding 4 speaker, 100-watt AM/FM/CD sound system with MP3/WMA playback capability with a large, centrally-located volume knob with a pair of inset switches to control such audio system functions as “Play,” “Repeat,” “Forward” and “Reverse.” To the left of this volume knob bar buttons for selecting either the CD player or radio, to the right of the volume knob bar buttons for changing the audio system’s display and menu.
The button that activates or disables the vehicle's flashing hazard lights can be found just below the audio system’s large volume knob, with large manually-adjustable HVAC vent openings positioned on both sides of this switch.
A key design feature of the North American-spec 2012 Mitsubishi i can be found in the layout of the HVAC controls. While both the Japanese and European-spec versions feature air conditioning and heating controls positioned in a horizontal layout, the North American version of the car has the trio of HVAC knobs placed vertically. This gives the driver and front passenger more knee room and an improved feeling of spaciousness for both front occupants.
Residing beneath the HVAC controls at the bottom of the center waterfall and it just in front of the gearshift lever is a small open storage bin, 12-volt outlet and USB port when equipped with the Premium package.
At the outer perimeter of either side of the dashboard (closest to the A-pillars) are another set of HVAC vents accompanied by a useful pair of sturdy flip-down cup holders (one on the driver’s side, one on the front passenger’s side). Beneath the driver's side vent/cup holder is the side mirror of adjustment switchgear and the traction control off button.
Premium SE Trim Level
The center console found in the premium SE trim grade builds on the stylish and highly functional arrangement found in the base model vehicle but adds an additional level of refinement and aesthetic appeal.
Most notable is the eye-catching coffee-colored surface that features prominently across the majority of the dashboard, flowing downward to surround the entire center stack that is now colored in a deep, rich ebony hue. The trio of HVAC control dials - now done up in bright silver - contrast vibrantly against their black background.
Other stylish accents include bright silver-colored rings for the main gauge face on the driver's instrument panel as well as the round HVAC vents. The outer sections of the center console also receive the visually appealing silver trim treatment.
Additional upscale interior treatments found on the SE level vehicle include a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, new door trim with cloth inserts and upgrade seating surface material.
Instrument Panel
The Instrument Display of the 2012 Mitsubishi i includes many new details for the North American market
Though similar in its overall appearance to that of its European equivalent, the instrument display features several new illuminated icons for the U.S. and Canadian markets.
These include:
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS)
Service Reminder
Freeze Warning Reminder
Regenerative Braking System (RBS) Service Reminder
Highly efficient, lightweight yet powerful, and proven to be reliable to the extreme, the electric powertrain that provides the motive force for the all-new 2012 Mitsubishi i is a paragon of engineering excellence and is an evolution of the Japanese auto manufacturer’s highly developed electric motors and accompanying transmissions that have powered the company's groundbreaking 100% battery-powered electric vehicles through its rich history.
Seating Design & Safety Highlights
Seating surfaces of the 2012 Mitsubishi i are made from a plant-derived material
Design
- Weight savings with new lighter front passenger occupant classification sensor
- New environmentally-friendly plant-derived seat surface material
- Natural cotton yarn in seating surfaces reduces C02 emissions compared to PET textiles
Safety
- Height-adjustable driver and front passenger seatbelt anchors
- Redesigned rear seat headrests for reducing whiplash injuries
- Driver seat position sensor and front passenger’s occupant classification sensors for the advanced air bags
Rear Seating and Cargo Area
Thanks to its exemplary interior space efficiency that makes the most of the car’s relatively compact dimensions, the cabin design of the 2012 Mitsubishi i offers rear passengers a high degree of both headroom and legroom in a comfortable seating arrangement for two adults.
The rear cargo area located behind the backseat offers enough volume to easily accommodate multiple bags of groceries or purchases at a local shopping center while still offering plenty of room for four adults.
Need more room? No problem. Thanks to the vehicle's 50/50-split fold-down and reclining rear seats, expansive rear opening and lightweight hatchback door, Mitsubishi's versatile i-MiEV has over 50 cubic feet of rear cargo volume.
Convenient MiEV Remote System
MiEV Remote System Hand-Held Controller
A standard feature on every 2012 Mitsubishi i model, the MiEV Remote System acts as a virtual assistant that aids communication between the vehicle and its owner, allows the vehicle’s operator to pre-program and automate several key electric vehicle-related tasks. These include:
- Pre-activation of the Climate Control
- Timed Battery Charging
- Battery Level Information
- Battery Warming
Pre-activation of the Climate Control
The MiEV Remote System hand-held controller can be used to remotely control the vehicle's climate control system to activate the air conditioning, heater or defroster. This allows the vehicle's owner to pre-heat or pre-cool their Mitsubishi i while it is still plugged in at their home or place of work, thus conserving the lithium-ion batteries and maximizing driving range.
Selectable climate control modes include “COOL,” “HEAT,” “DEF” (when the defroster setting is selected this activates the rear window defrost her as well) and “A/C OFF.”
When choosing the “HEAT” setting, the vehicle’s operator must remember to manually switch the driver’s seat heater (located on the console below and to the right of the steering column) on in advance so that the seat may be warmed by the MiEV Remote System.
The air conditioning can be pre-activated to start up to 30 minutes before driving (the pre-activated A/C will automatically shut off after 30 minutes of operation) and is especially beneficial in warm climates where the vehicle can take advantage of being pre-cooled while parked in a shaded area such as a garage, a parking structure or beneath a covered carport. Pre-activating the air conditioning will only occur if the vehicle's lithium-ion battery level on the remote display has one or more dots.
Timed Battery Charging
The MiEV Remote System hand-held controller allows the EV's owner to set two charging timers to automate the charging of the car’s lithium-ion battery pack. One timer controls the actual time that the system should begin the charging of the batteries while the other controls the duration of the charging time.
In many regions, a Mitsubishi i owner can take advantage of lower electric utility rates by setting their vehicle to begin charging its lithium-ion battery pack in off-peak hours (for example by starting at 12:00 midnight) to save even more money than what the already remarkably low "refueling" costs are with a 100% electric-powered vehicle.
As for the duration of the automated time for the battery charging, the MiEV Remote System allows the charging time to be set for anywhere between zero and 19.5 hours. When the system detects that the lithium-ion battery pack has reached full charge (for example, prior to full 19.5 hour timed charge duration) it will automatically cease the charging cycle.
If a Mitsubishi i is not set for automated timed charging, a vehicle's owner can begin charging the vehicle remotely at their discretion by manually activating battery charging and setting the charge timer duration (for example, 6 hours) via the MiEV Remote System hand-held remote.
Battery Level Information
The MiEV Remote System hand-held controller features a visual battery level display so that the vehicle's owner can remotely check the current charge level of the lithium-ion battery pack.
Battery Warming
In cold weather, the MiEV Remote System allows the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery warming system ($150; part of the Cold Zone Package that includes heated side mirrors) to pre-warm the battery pack every 6 hours when the EV is not being driven. This greatly improves battery longevity in harsh winter climates throughout the United States and Canada.
Additional MiEV Remote System Features:
One (1) MiEV Remote System hand-held controller is included free of charge with every vehicle; up to four (4) controllers can be programmed to work with each vehicle.
The MiEV Remote System hand-held controller has an effective operating range within 300 feet of the vehicle.
Highly Efficient Heating/Air Conditioning System
HVAC Control System Configuration
In keeping with the efficient nature of the 2012 Mitsubishi i, the company has developed a novel heating/air conditioning (HVAC) system that reduces electrical power consumption while providing comfortable and highly effective climate control within the cabin.
Cooling System
Condenser (left), A/C compressor (middle) and heater unit (top right) of the Cabin’s Cooling System
The cooling system features an electrically-driven air conditioning compressor that is integrated with the vehicle’s inverter, with the inverter cooled by suction refrigerant. While this refrigerant agent is of a common type (HFC-134a), the refrigerator oil is specially-designed for use with the electric A/C compressor.
Of note, the heater unit (evaporator) and condenser are carryover from the internal combustion-powered version of the Mitsubishi i.
This configuration, accompanied by a very precise compressor speed control unit, allow the occupants of the 100% electric-powered Mitsubishi i to experience air conditioning nearly equally effective to that of its internal combustion-powered sibling while greatly reducing energy consumption.
Heating System
Heating System’s condenser tank (gray, left), water pump (yellow), heater core (upper middle) & water heater (bottom right)
The heating system relies on an electric water heater and a coolant cycling system to provide the passenger compartment with a more than adequate supply of warmed air to the passenger compartment that maximizes energy usage by variable control of the electric water heater.
While the coolant cycling system duties are shared between cooling the vehicle’s electric motor and the heating system, there are two separate coolant circuits to address each responsibility.
When the heating system is operated in an environment with a low outside temperature, the system improves the efficiency of warming the cabin by mixing some of interior recirculated air with the fresh incoming warmed air.
The heater unit (heater core) is the same one found in the internal combustion-powered Mitsubishi i.
HVAC Control Panel
Silver-accented HVAC switchgear of the 2012 Mitsubishi i SE trim level
The climate control of the 2012 Mitsubishi i is a manually-operated system with 6 different positions for heating and cooling.
The top knob controls temperature adjustment; depressing the inner section of the knob engages/disengages the “MAX” heating or air conditioning system settings. Note: extended use of the “MAX” climate control setting in either cooling OR heating mode while driving will decrease range capability.
The middle knob controls fan speed for both heating and cooling. Depressing the inner section will activate or deactivate the air conditioning.
The bottom HVAC system knob determines the routing of the heated or cooled airflow towards the driver and passengers and also the defrosting of the windshield.
Available HDD Navigation System with Rear View Camera
Included as part of the Premium Package ($2790) available on the 2012 Mitsubishi i SE trim level is a 40GB HDD navigation system with real-time traffic information, rear view camera system and a music server capable of storing up to 3,000 songs.
Featuring a large, 7-inch LCD screen and user-friendly touch-panel operation, the navigation system contains comprehensive NAVTEQ digital map data for North America, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The map data is available in three languages: English, French and Spanish.
Among the navigation system’s numerous features are thousands of Point of Interest (POI) categories (restaurants, gas stations, post offices, etc.), a calendar function, a speed-compensated navigation voice volume function, and the availability of High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) carpool lanes. An especially valuable feature is the dedicated real-time traffic feature that is provided by NAVTEQ Traffic with no subscription fee for the lifetime of vehicle.
The system also incorporates a rear view camera display when the vehicle is engaged in reverse gear that details an on-screen guideline of the vehicle’s intended path when backing up.
Available FUSE Handsfree Link System™
Another feature of the upgrade SE trim level’s Premium Package ($2790) is the FUSE Handsfree Link System™ that gives users the ability to operate the vehicle’s Bluetooth® enabled cellular phone, iPod® or USB thumb drive simply by the sound of their voice.
Simple voice commands are all that are necessary to initiate a variety of functions including playing a favorite song by artist, genre, album or playlist. What’s more, as your digital music collection grows as you add new songs and artists, the FUSE System will recognize the new content thanks to free downloadable updates of Gracenote® digital music recognition software.
The FUSE Handsfree Link System™ supports Bluetooth 2.0 and A2DP technology so you can make hands-free calls with a Bluetooth®-enabled cell phone or stream music from a Bluetooth®-enabled digital music player.
In North American markets, the FUSE System recognizes U.S. English, American Spanish and Canadian French.
Other tasks that can be performed by FUSE include:
Phone:
“Dial” – Make a phone call by saying the individual digits of a phone number
“Redial” – Redial the last outgoing call
“Phonebook” – Store up to 32 phonebook entries that can be looked up and dialed by voice. Up to 1,000 phone book entries can be imported from a cell phone and accessed through the navigation display screen
Bluetooth® streaming audio:
Bluetooth® streaming audio is compatible with the following navi buttons (if Bluetooth® audio devices support these features): “play,” “stop,” “rewind,” “fast forward,” “repeat,” “scan,” “random,” “display music name,” “artist name” and “album name.” It can also display “music name,” “artist name” and “album name.”
USB input (iPod® player or memory stick):
Voice commands can be utilized to open a playlist, search genre, artist or album
Navigation display screen:
The navigation screen can show the status of a mobile phone including Bluetooth connection, battery level, roaming and signal strength.
*Note: Some of the illustrations and components shown may be subject to design changes by the time the 2012 Mitsubishi i enters production.
