Japan’s boutique car builder Mitsuoka may be more known for the retro-classic cars depicted above – if Mitsuoka is known at all beyond the realm of Nippon. Now, the folks at Toyama’s most famous car manufacturer can’t help themselves any longer, and must join Japan’s current fad …
Mitsuoka has gone EV-kichi. Mitsuoka is accepting orders for a customized five-passenger electric car based on Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV, says The Nikkei [sub].
Why should you buy your plug-in from Mitsuoka instead of Mitsubishi? (If you insist on buying one.) Well, the other-Mitsu EV has an expanded rear seat that can sit three instead of just two (we’re talking pleasantly slender Japanese here.) A total of 5! In an EV! The length has increased by 175 mm to a total of 3,570mm, the exterior has been changed (just look at them metal-plated bumpers!) and most of all, you make the statement that you are a well-to-do EV driver:
The Mitsuoka EV costs around $47,000, that’s $3,300 more than a run of the mill i-MiEV. With government incentive subtracted, it will set you back $35,000, says the Nikkei. Oh, and it comes in 5 colors.
What is that wondrous car called? We can only imagine how it got its name.
“That car is, like, you know, like …”
“Excellent!”
“That name! Perfect!”
“What name?”
“Like! Perfect! What’s not to like?”
Mitsuoka expects to begin shipping the Like as early as like, August.
We need a post on amusing Japanese Engrish car names.
The Mazda Bongo Friendee and Daihatsu Naked are some of my favorites.
Wow, I can park this next to my Clenet and Panoz.
they should do something about a reasonable driving range than what it should look like first.
Jags in the olden days look very good too, only 3 places are garage Queens, Flat Bed paegeants, and Shop Empresses.
I’m wondering how a big honkin’ Rolls-Royce-style grille will affect aerodynamics, and thus range.