Mitsubishi Mi-Tech concept, il SUV a turbina si scopre a Tokyo

Come una "buggy" non ha tetto, né portiere, ma nasconde un complesso sistema plug-in con turbina a gas

Di: Adrian Padeanu

Tradotto da: Fabio Gemelli

23 ott 2019 alle 15:00

La vivacità progettuale di Mitsubishi si esprime da anni nella presentazione ad ogni salone dell'auto di un nuovo SUV concept. A questa tradizione non sfugge neppure la Mitsubishi Mi-Tech concept, prototipo di crossover compatto che non ha né tetto, né portiere, in puro stile "buggy" da deserto.

L'idea dietro la Mi-Tech è quella di immaginare un SUV fuoristrada del futuro che anticipa dettagli stilistici delle prossime Mitsubishi, con mascherina frontale decisamente squadrata e fari sagomati a "T" coricata. Lo stile è particolarmente deciso nella fiancata, dove spiccano i passaruota quadrati e l'assenza delle portiere. In coda spicca la forma esagonale e a diamante del posteriore, con in più gli immancabili fari a T.

Head-up display grande come il parabrezza

A differenza degli esterni elaborati l'abitacolo sfoggia uno stile minimalista, senza pulsanti e comandi fisici. Manca persino lo schermo dell'infotainment centrale, sostituito dalla strumentazione digitale e da un grande head-up display con realtà aumentata che occupa l'intero parabrezza.

Al centro della plancia ci sono sei pulsanti fisici e le bocchette di aerazione sono state trasformate in sottili feritoie tagliate direttamente nella plancia. Per gestire tutte le altre funzioni di bordo c'è un comando rotativo con control pad sulla console centrale.

Ibrida plug-in, ma con la turbina

La parte meccanica è una delle cose più interessanti e della Mitsubishi Mi-Tech concept. Parliamo della complessa motorizzazione ibrida plug-in che sostituisce il motore a combustione interna con una piccola e potente turbina che può funzionare a gas, cherosene, gasolio o alcol. Il tutto con emissioni allo scarico estremamente ridotte.

Questa turbina carica la batteria che alimenta i quattro motori elettrici di trazione del Quad Motor 4WD System. Così la trazione integrale può essere gestita con precisione su ogni ruota, anche quando si affrontano terreni difficili. Allo stesso scopo sono stati sviluppate le pinze freno elettriche, per garantire la massima accuratezza di frenata e trazione. Da queste tecnologie deriveranno i sistemi ibridi dei prossimi SUV Mitsubishi in arrivo dal 2022.

Fotogallery: Mitsubishi Mi-Tech concept

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World Premieres of MITSUBISHI MOTORS MI-TECH CONCEPT buggy-type electrified SUV concept car at Tokyo Motor Show 2019

Tokyo, October 23, 2019 – MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) today unveiled the MI-TECH CONCEPT^* small-sized electrified SUV concept car, MI-TECH CONCEPT at Tokyo Motor Show 2019.

Takao Kato, chief executive officer, MMC, and Ashwani Gupta, chief operating officer, MMC, presented those vehicles at the press conference and explained MMC's electrification strategy.

"We are dedicated to electrification technology, particularly plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)," Kato said. "We will be expanding our lineup of electrified vehicles by delivering more variations and leveraging the diverse electrification technology in the alliance to make MMC the leader in the PHEV category going forward."

1. Overview of MI-TECH CONCEPT

The MI-TECH CONCEPT was built to be "small plug-in hybrid electric SUV that delivers unparalleled driving pleasure and confidence over all terrain in light and wind." This concept car embodies the MMC brand statement "Drive Your Ambition"^*3 with a lightweight, compact, new PHEV drivetrain, a four-motor electric 4WD system, and advanced driver assist and preventive safety technologies—all packed into the small-sized electrified SUV.

(1)Dynamic Buggy Type Design

Under the concept of "Stimulates the driver's adventure", the MI-TECH CONCEPT is designed to be a dynamic buggy-type vehicle that embodies the very essence of Mitsubishi-ness.

A sense of progressiveness as an electric vehicle is expressed through the light blue body color and a secondary copper color in a motor coil motif on the grille, inner wheels, and interior.

The front end adopts MMC's signature Dynamic Shield new front design concept. It uses a satin plated color in the center of the grille, and copper as a secondary color to accentuate its expressiveness as an electrified vehicle. T-shaped headlights are embedded in the front end to emphasize a distinguishing outward appearance.

On the lower bumper, aluminum skid plate is placed on both sides to protect the body, while the interior has an air intake.

On the sides, the highly raised overfenders and large diameter tires project a high level of mobility plus power as an SUV, as well as the stability to thoroughly grip the terrain. The body radiates grandeur and sharpness with a design reminiscent of a metal ingot carved in a cutting machine, while the use of a side step on the carved sides balances utility with design.

The rear-end was designed with large and bold hexagon carved from metal ingot to emphasize the robustness of SUV. The T-shaped tail lamp shared the same design pattern used on the front end.

Inside, a horizontal instrument panel and functional design makes handling easier. The horizontal theme is further accentuated by copper lines added on the instrument panel and steering wheel. Keyboard-shaped switches are positioned atop a center console with a horizontal theme, and the front handgrip also functions as a hand pad to make the switches easy to operate. Functions are presented in a straightforward manner, easy to understand just by seeing them and with a reassuring feel when pressed.

MMC emphasizes a design that gives driver extra peace of mind. The front window shield presents all the relevant information in graphics such as car behavior, terrain recognition, and optimal route guidance.

(2) Light, compact PHEV drivetrain

The power generator in the new PHEV drivetrain is a lightweight, compact gas turbine engine-generator in place of the traditional gasoline engine. As environmental awareness grows and downsizing progresses, the concept explores the technological proposition to plug the PHEV drivetrain into a small SUV. The gas turbine engine-generator has a powerful output for its size and weight.

Another benefit of the gas turbine is its flexibility to run on a variety of fuels such as diesel, kerosene and alcohol which can be selected depending on the regions. Further, its exhaust is clean so it responds to environmental and energy issues.

(3) Electric 4WD system

MMC took pride to apply its S-AWC^*4 Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Control System to a Quad Motor 4WD System with front and rear Dual-Motor Active Yaw Control (AYC)^*5 units. Making the brake calipers electric has also allowed for high response, high accuracy control of drive and braking force of the four wheels while delivering a drastic improvement in turning and traction performance. When driving off-road and two wheels are spinning out, the ability to transmit the optimal driving force to all four wheels makes it possible to transmit force to the two wheels still on the ground and keep driving. MMC has thus delivered a safe, exhilarating driving experience in which the driver feels with the vehicle in all conditions, either in daily driving or when traversing rough roads, while also allowing for thrilling new driving experiences such as 180-degree spins by counter-rotating the left and right tires.

(4) Advanced driver assistance and preventive safety technologies

The vehicle comes equipped with Human Machine Interface (HMI) which displays various information detected through sensing technology including advanced optical sensors on an augmented reality (AR) windshield. With vehicle, road, and surrounding traffic conditions shown on the AR windshield, drivers can make accurate, heads-up decisions even in poor visibility.

Equipped also with MI-PILOT, next-generation driver assistance technology, the concept car extends driver support not only on freeways and ordinary roads, but also on unpaved roads.