AT THE far end of East Hall 6 of the Tokyo Big Sight, this year’s 44th Tokyo Motor Show venue, a vehicle’s sleek and fluid shape toyed with the reflections with the spotlights, as it slowly rotated on a platform. This is the future of the brand, freshly unveiled and introduced to the press by Mitsubishi Motors president and COO Tetsuro Aikawa: the stunning Mitsubishi eX.
New generation of EVs
It’s inevitable that automobiles will be totally weaned off their dependence on fossil fuels, and that smarter, more capable and desirable electric vehicles will take over the highways. Mitsubishi is pushing hard for its realization—and it may happen sooner than expected.
The eX, with its precision-sculpted hyperathletic stance and the new signature Dynamic Shield design, embodies it. A high-capacity, high-performance lithium-ion battery powers the eX’s next-generation EV system that runs a pair of high-output electric motors and gives it an extended 400-kilometer cruising range. The battery also has a higher energy density that provides for more powerful acceleration and a higher top speed.
With its center of gravity optimized by its battery mounted underneath its body, twin 4WD motors and proprietary S-AWC integrated vehicle dynamics control system provide the eX with highly responsive handling and exceptional stability even under the most demanding driving situations and conditions.
Variable drive modes allow the vehicle to take on various terrain. The auto mode, for example, uses external cameras and sensors to monitor road surfaces and allow the vehicle to adjust and compensate accordingly.
Numerous other cutting-edge, performance-enhancing tech features have been built in to make it a huge step up from the current level of EVs.
Smarter, safer
The stuff of science fiction will soon be standard equipment. The eX will utilize an augmented-reality (AR) windshield to complement an intelligent display for enhanced driving information. With connected car technology linked to an information network, the AR windshield will provide route guidance, vehicle proximity and lane departure warnings.
\The caution tracking feature alerts the driver and gives him ample time to react to cars or pedestrians that are outside of his field of view, if necessary, to avoid accidents. It also activates throttle control and emergency braking, when needed, to avoid collisions.
Linked to a navigation app, the Intelligent display also allows the driver to pull up online information via the cloud. The system’s AI function makes recommendations based on the driver’s interests and preferences learned from continuous usage.
And while you’re at it, why not plug the house in to your eX for a change? Its advanced lithium-ion battery is capable of powering your home appliances—for days at a time.
Other intelligent safety features include an infrared camera and other in-car sensors which constantly monitor the driver (eye-blinking, changes in posture, heart rate and irregularities in driving manner), making sure he’s in optimal condition to operate the vehicle and encouraging him to rest when needed.
Future-ready
The Mitsubishi eX concept crossover is geared toward the further development of technologies that would eventually make its EV successors capable of semi- and fully automated driving. Imagine your eX self-parking to the nearest charging bay, then automatically driving to pick you up when you’re done with dinner, and safely driving you home.
The eX concept crossover boldly represents Mitsubishi’s direction in its near-future EV and general product lines, a premise that definitely looks achievable.
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