Mitsubishi kei car gets two awards
MITSUBISHI Motors Corp. announced on Nov. 10, 2022, that the all-new eK X EV (pronounced eK “cross” EV), an allelectric kei car, has won the RJC Car of the Year for 2023 run by the Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC).
In addition, the electrification technology of the all-electric kei car used for the eK X EV has won the RJC Technology of the Year for 2023.
In awarding the RJC Car of the Year, the selection committee commented: “With a body size that is suited to the traffic conditions in Japan while conforming to Japanese kei car standards, the eK X EV achieves a high level of perfection as a practical electric vehicle (EV), providing ample driving range for daily use, smooth acceleration and crisp handling, high-quality interior and exterior, and the latest safety features. Also offered at an affordable price for a wide range of users, the eK X EV provides momentum to the promotion of EVs.”
In awarding the RJC Technology of the Year, the selection committee commented: “Utilizing the electrification technology that Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors have cultivated over the years, the eK X EV has achieved reduction in size and cost. While conforming to the standards of a kei car, it has been perfected as a model with enhanced product appeal. Electrification technology is highly recognized as a cornerstone technology of future small EVs.”
This is the fourth time that Mitsubishi Motors won the RJC Car of the Year, following the award for 2020 won by the eK wagon and eK X height-wagon kei cars. Also, this is the sixth time that the company won the RJC Technology of the Year, following the award for 2022 given to the evolved plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and Super-All Wheel Control systems of the Eclipse Cross.
The eK X EV is a new EV model in the eK X series, Mitsubishi Motors’ kei car series with an SUV flavor, offered at an affordable price with a driving range of 180 kilometers on a single charge that is sufficient for everyday use.
Mitsubishi Motors said it can be wellreceived for its spacious and pleasant cabin, user-friendliness, the smooth and powerful driving experience of EVs, a quiet and comfortable ride, advanced driver assistance systems, and connectivity.
With the electrification technology of all-electric kei car, the eK X EV offers the same spacious and comfortable cabin as the gasoline model by optimizing the layout of the EV system, as well as high steering stability and ride comfort made possible by a low center of gravity and an ideal front-rear weight distribution. In addition to the EV production technology honed through the i-MiEV — the world’s first mass-produced EV — and the Minicab-MiEV, high quality and cost competitiveness have been achieved through the investments for on-site battery pack integrated production, EV platform production line, and more.