The North American variant of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV has been revealed ahead of its debut at the LA Auto Show this year.

This model is much larger than the JDM i-MiEV, and also features new front and rear bumpers. The interior looks much more refined as well.

Mitsubishi plans to have the car on sale by the end of 2011, with a price tag under $30,000.

Press Release

Mitsubishi Motors’ North American Version of i-MiEV to Make World Premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show

Mon, Nov 08, 2010 – Tokyo –

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will host the world premiere of the North American version of its i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show (LAAS) held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from Wednesday, November 17 to Sunday November 28 (open to the general public from Friday, November 19). In addition, the Outlander Sport compact CUV (RVR in Japan, ASX in Europe), which is to go on sale in the North American market from the end of this year as well as other core vehicles for the North American market are planned for display at the LAAS.

The North American version of the i-MiEV, in comparison to the Japanese- and European-spec i-MiEVs, features an enhanced, enlarged body structure to secure plenty of space for four adults and better meet the expectations of U.S. consumers. In addition, the North American-spec i-MiEV’s front and rear bumpers are all-new. Airbags that detect passengers and control deployment force, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Active Stability Control (ASC) are all standard equipment.

Also, with the Outlander Sport’s mating of a 2.0-liter MIVEC^*1 engine to an INVECS^*2III-CVT Sportronic (six-speed sport-mode CVT) transmission (five-speed manual transmission also available on some trim levels), the Outlander Sport provides superior fuel efficiency and low emissions in a compact CUV package that can seat five.

*1 : Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system
*2 : Intelligent and Innovative Vehicle Electronic Control System

• North American Version i-MiEV Main Specifications (numbers in [ ] denote difference with Japanese model)
  Length : 3,680mm [+285mm]
  Width : 1,585mm [+110mm]
  Height : 1,615mm [+5mm]
  Tread (front/rear) : 1,420mm/1,380mm [+110mm/+110mm]

Source: Mitsubishi and Autoblog