Mitsubishi Motors Launches New eK Wagon & eK Sport
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"Great minicar wagon": Bringing a smile to one and all.
TOKYO - September 13, 2006: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today launched fully redesigned eK Wagon and eK Sport models at affiliated dealerships throughout Japan on September 13, 2006. Developed to a "convenience", "peace-of-mind" and "feel-good" theme, features distinguishing the new eK series include a power sliding door, the first on a bonnet-type passenger minicar, and a comprehensive small-item storage and utility specification that offers outstanding usability. Tax inclusive prices for 2WD and 4WD eK Wagon models range from 913,500 yen to 1,222,200 yen, and for 2WD and 4WD eK Sport models from 1,260,000 yen to 1,484,700 yen.
The first eK series debuted in October 2001. It was developed to establish a generation- and gender-transcending "minicar standard" that would enjoy the support of a wide spectrum of users. Features defining the concept and readily embraced by its broad customer base include its "simple, clean and basic" design, its "semi-tall packaging" that is just right for easy ingress/egress and for Japan's multi-level tower car parks and its comprehensive equipment and amenities specification that gives careful attention to owner needs. These selling points drove total eK series sales over 480,000 units to make it one of Mitsubishi Motors best selling models.
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The research led to a number of "discoveries" that had gone unobserved to date and related to unexpected instances of joy, happiness and dissatisfaction on the part of minicar users. These discoveries are reflected in the Multi-position Utility system that allows the interior to be easily customized and other "evolving" changes as well as in the "deepening" detail improvements made to component and parts. The new eK brings a real smile to the driver and passengers as they feel for themselves the evolution in the "convenience," "peace-of-mind" and "feel-good" elements that make it the "great minicar wagon" and the daily life partner it is.
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*1 VOCVolatile Organic Compounds
A - eK Wagon and eK Sport product features
(1) "Evolving": New items
1) Inner rail-type Power Sliding Door enhances convenience & security
(standard on eK Wagon MS and GS trim levels)
Offered for the first time on
a passenger-use minicar, eK Wagon is available with an inner rail-type
Power Sliding Door developed very much with families with young children,
the main user group, in mind. This convenience and security enhancing
feature is available on MG and GS trim levels at a very reasonable
additional cost of 52,500 yen (tax included).
- The nearside rear inner rail-type Power Sliding Door may be operated by inner and outer handles as
well as by switches located on the center pillar and in the cockpit. The
sliding door may also be opened or closed using the keyless entry system
remote control, convenient when carrying shopping in both hands.
- The door uses Mitsubishi Motors' own sliding mechanism in which the rails are hidden
when the door is shut. This configuration provides the maximum door opening
size possible within the restricted dimensions of the minicar category.
Because the slide rail is not installed in the door outer panel the Power
Sliding Door does not affect eK Wagon's clean exterior lines. To avoid
hitting anything close behind the vehicle, the sliding door is designed not
to protrude beyond the trailing edge of the body when fully open.
- At 530 mm wide and 1005 mm high, the door opening is large enough for access by
adults and a large assist grip on the center pillar facilitates boarding
and alighting.
- An easy-closer mechanism takes the effort out of manually
closing the door and assures that it closes properly.
- When a touch sensor on the front edge of the power sliding door detects an obstruction as the
door is closing the power mechanism automatically reverses the slide
direction. The door is fitted with a child protect lock to prevent
accidental operation. When this is engaged the door can only be opened
using the driver's cockpit switch or the outer handle. A stopper keeps the
open door from sliding shut when the vehicle is parked on an incline.
- On MS and GS trim levels the center and rear pillars, side roof and side sill
are reinforced to improve the durability and operating feel of the Power
Sliding Door as well as to increase overall body stiffness and provide
greater safety in a side impact.
2) Multi-position Utility system
Standard on all trim levels, the
innovative Multi-position Utility (MPU) system provides five attachment
points sharing the same mode of attachment: one under the dashboard Center
Panel and four in the front passenger seatback. MPU refers to the function
of and to the group of items that comprise the system. Enhancing
convenience and usability, the system allows the owner and other users to
customize the interior by attaching, moving around or exchanging a variety
of amenity items at their preferred attachment point.
- Convenience Hooks
and a Mini Trash Box are provided as standard equipment for use with the
MPU system. The owner may move these items around to other locations in the
system as he or she wishes.
- The MPU system also supports a range of
dealer-fitted option items that includes large and small pockets, a table
with hooks for children's use and an umbrella holder.
- The owner can also
have fun customizing the interior by sticking dealer-fitted option
Multi-use Hooks to his or her favorite personal goods or stuffed toy and
fitting them at MPU locations.
3) Category-eclipsing high-grade audio system
Mitsubishi Motors has upgraded the eK's audio specification in a major way because it believes
feel-good music to be important in creating an enjoyable interior ambiance
when traveling with family or friends. The High-grade Sound System that
delivers category-eclipsing acoustic performance and the Mitsubishi
Multi-Entertainment System (MMES) are now available as factory-fitted
options.
- The Mitsubishi Multi-Entertainment System (MMES) may also be
chosen as a factory-fitted option. With a 30 GB hard disk drive, the system
integrates user-friendly on-board navigation with advanced audio
capabilities that include a music catcher that can store up to 4,000
titles.
- Topping the range of available audio systems and for the true
music connoisseur is the High-grade Sound System. A 360 watt 6-channel
amplifier drives 8 speakers in 6 locations. The system incorporates a
digital signal processor (DSP) that allows the listener to tune sound
reproduction to match source and audio field. For this option, the front
doors are turned into speaker boxes using the deadening treatment developed
on the Outlander and using noise insulation and vibration damping materials
to close off openings inside the door. The result is a level of acoustic
quality unprecedented in the minicar category. This option is available on
the M (3-speed A/T) and on the G, X and R trim levels.
- The 2DIN locating space in the Center Panel has been moved upward for easier operation of the
audio controls and better viewability of the navigation screen.
(2) "Deepening": Detail improvements
1) Ageless exterior design
The new eK inherits the semi-tall packaging that proved to be one of the unique
selling points in the first series: combining outstanding levels of
ingress/egress and interior room with multi-storey tower car park
accessibility. The new eK adds "smart" - an optimal balance between
rational design and a casual sense of fun - to the generation- and
gender-transcending "simple, clean, basic" concept that cued the original
eK design.
[ eK Wagon ]
While inheriting the identity of the first series
model, the new eK Wagon gains a crisper definition to the semi-tall & long
roof proportions of its boxy silhouette through the muscular surface
treatment, and the character line with its fender flares wrapping deeply
around the front wheels. Elements contributing to eK Wagon's advanced but
functional appearance include a bonnet shape that complies with pedestrian
protection legislation and the use of power-thrifty and long-life LED rear
combination lamps (a category-first).
Supporting a wide variety of
lifestyles, the rich lineup of 11* body colors includes a serene and
amicable Pearl Beige Solid and a chic White Pearl.
[ eK Sport ]
Designed for those looking for sportier performance and styling, eK Sport is wrapped
in visually impactful lines that give a lip-smacking foretaste of its gutsy
performance. Elements that help forge its personality include the front
visage, which is immediately identifiable with its black sword-edge
graphics composed using the HID headlight units and distinctive
polycarbonate grille, 14-inch alloy road wheels on the R trim level
(13-inch on the X), side and rear air dams and roof spoiler. eK Sport is
offered in a choice of six* urban and sporty colors, including a new and
richly expressive Dawn Silver Metallic that projects a steely look of
strength.
* The Pearl White option is available at an additional cost of 21,000 yen (tax included) for both eK Wagon and eK Sport models.
2) Modern interior design
The interior melds together a domestic white
goods familiarity and a digital device precision to create a comfortable
space with a modern tone and casual sense of fun within a functional and
readily usable layout.
[ eK Wagon ]
The eK Wagon uses a Dark Grey/Beige
interior scheme to generate a gentle ambiance. The novel white Center Panel
in the middle of the dashboard symbolizes the design's functional beauty
and modern qualities. eK Wagon uses convenient and roomy bench seats front
and rear, covered in a beige fabric interwoven with bluish-grey accents.
*3-speed A/T M and G trim levels are available as a factory-fitted option with eK Sport's black interior trim (hybrid instrumentation excluded).
[ eK Sport ]
The black monotone interior color scheme that extends to
the dashboard and seats is counterpointed by the functional Dark Grey
Metallic used for the center panel to create a purposeful and taut
atmosphere. Elements contributing to the sporty mood of the interior
include the Hybrid Meter instrumentation, with digital speedometer and
analogue tachometer, and the leather-wrap steering wheel.
Recaro bucket-type seats with armrest that provide excellent hold and location
when driving near the limit are available as a factory-fitted option.
3) Comfortable and pleasant interior environment
- The air conditioner is fitted with a deodorizing Clean Air Filter incorporating odor-remover.
This works with the deodorizing head lining standard on all models to
reduce VOC levels and to remove and cut cigarette and other everyday
smells, creating an interior environment that is as pleasantly clean as it
is comfortable.
- Following the i, the new eK becomes the second Mitsubishi
Motors model to use seat fabric certified under the Oeko-Tex Standard 100,
an international standard that screens and tests for harmful substances in
processed textiles. The fabric inhibits the action of allergens and so is
kinder to the skin.
- The new eK uses solar control glass in the front door
windows, which expose occupants to more sunburn and sizzling heat than any
other glass area, as well as in the windshield. The solar control glass and
the privacy glass used in the rear door, quarter light and tailgate glazing
cut transmission of ultra-violet and infra-red radiation, making for a more
comfortable and cooler interior.
4) Better utility and usability (equipment and convenience amenities)
- eK is the first Mitsubishi Motors minicar to use an in-dash gear selector
which marries the easy operability and better visibility of a floor-mounted
shift with the comfort-enhancing qualities of the column shift that works
well with the bench seat to allow front/rear walk-thro's on both sides. The
in-dash gear selector has a natural feel to it, moving on a straight
forward-back plane at an angle very similar to a floor shift.
- The new eK
retains the Center Meter instrument panel. Viewability has been improved by
offsetting it toward the driver just enough to keep it from being hidden by
the steering wheel.
- With families with small children in mind, the MS and
GS Power Sliding Door models use a new stain-free water-repellent seat
fabric.
- Cup holders are provided for all seats. Driver and front
passenger get see-through colored cup holders that use a three-step
adjustable pincer action. The rear cup holders are built into the armrest.
(The nearside rear Power Sliding Door has no cup holder).
- Front compartment storage has been upgraded for the new eK. The driver dash upper
box provides three times more volume and the front passenger glove
compartment approximately twice that of the first eK. The under trays on
both sides of the dashboard and toll ticket holder offer better usability.
The Vehicle Roadworthiness Certificate compartment in the front passenger
door and the Mini Trash Box that proved so popular on the first series are
retained. The lid on the Mini Trash Box can now be fitted to the bottom,
allowing it to be used to hold CDs and other small items. The Mini Trash
Box may also be attached to the front passenger seatback using the MPU
system described above.
5) Better environmental performance
The new eK retains the powertrain
configurations from the first series - the naturally aspirated 3G83
3-cylinder SOHC engine (intercooler/turbocharged on the eK Sport R) mated
to one of three transmissions (5-speed manual, 3- and 4-speed automatics) -
with changes focused on improving environmental performance.
- Emissions
The use of a new high-performance catalytic converter sees all naturally
aspirated engine models earn 4-star ratings with emission levels that are
75% lower than Japanese 2005 Emission Regulations. Turbo models earn a
3-star rating with emissions that are 50% lower.
- Better fuel economy
Overall mileage has been improved with the use of a torque converter adding
a lockup mechanism on 4-speed A/T models (2WD), allowing high-volume trim
levels to meet the Japanese 2010 Fuel Economy Standards (3-speed A/T 4WD eK
Wagon models and eK Sport R excluded). The 5-speed manual gearbox eK Wagon
M qualifies for 2006 Green Vehicle Tax exemption with mileage that is 10%
better than the standards.
6) Better safety performance
- The new eK is the first in its category
to use LED tail and brake lights. With a faster activation time and more
visible than bulb lights, the LED units help to reduce rear end crashes.
- The new eK follows the i and the Outlander in adopting the use of neck
impact reducing front seats, giving improved rear impact safety
performance.
- Pedestrian protection performance is improved as a result of
raising the height of the engine hood and of changes made to the shape and
configuration of engine auxiliary devices to secure the necessary space
under the hood.
- As one the first series, the new eK uses anti-trapping
power windows, a brake pedal fitted with a mechanism that limits rearward
displacement in a crash event and an impact absorbing steering column.
Sales information
(1) Monthly sales target: eK series 6,000 units
(2) Available at: MMC affiliated dealerships throughout Japan
(3) Manufacturers Recommended Retail Price
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