Mitsubishi eK

The Mitsubishi eK is a kei car series from Mitsubishi Motors, based on the long-running Minica, and first introduced on October 11, 2001. According to the company, the "eK" name stands for "excellent keijidōsha" or "excellent minicar".[1]

Mitsubishi eK
2004 Mitsubishi eK Wagon
Overview
Manufacturer
Also called
  • Mitsubishi eK:
  • Nissan Otti (2005–2013)
  • Nissan Dayz (2013–present)
  • Mitsubishi eK Space:
  • Nissan Dayz Roox (2014–2020)
  • Nissan Roox (2020–present)
Production
  • October 2001 – present (eK)
  • February 2014 – present (eK Space)
AssemblyJapan: Kurashiki, Okayama (Mizushima plant)
Body and chassis
ClassKei car
Body style5-door hatchback
Layout
Chronology
Predecessor

Immediately upon its release it was the recipient of the Good Design Award by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2001.[2] While the initial sales target was 10,000 units per month, it sold 13,000 in its first four days, and 20,000 by the end of October 2001.[3][4] It is Mitsubishi's highest volume model in the Japanese domestic market,[5] and total sales to 2005 are approximately 480,000.[6] In Japan, it was sold at a specific retail chain called Car Plaza. Since June 8, 2005, Nissan has received 36,000 eK Wagons annually from Mitsubishi, to be sold within the domestic market as the Nissan Otti.[7] The Otti was replaced by the Nissan Dayz on June 6, 2013, although the Otti was still sold alongside the Dayz until being discontinued on June 28, 2013.

In April 2016, Mitsubishi admitted that its employees had falsified fuel efficiency data for the eK Wagon, eK Space, Nissan Dayz and Nissan Dayz Roox.[8] The resultant scandal culminated in Nissan acquiring a controlling interest in Mitsubishi the following month.[9]

Mitsubishi eK logo (2013–2020)

First generation (H81/H91/NA0; 2001–2006)

First generation (H81/H91/NA0)
Mitsubishi eK Wagon (pre-facelift)
Overview
Also calledNissan Otti
Production
  • October 2001 – September 2006 (eK series)
  • June 2005 – October 2006 (Otti)
Powertrain
Engine658 cc 3G83 I3 (petrol)
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,340 mm (92.1 in)
Length3,395 mm (133.7 in)
Width1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height1,550–1,600 mm (61.0–63.0 in)
Curb weight790–910 kg (1,742–2,006 lb)

In its first generation, it was available either as an eK Wagon (introduced on October 11, 2001), eK Sport (introduced on September 2, 2002), eK Classy (introduced on May 26, 2003) or eK Active (introduced on May 25, 2004). A facelifted eK Wagon was introduced on December 20, 2004. On December 20, 2005, the eK Classy was discontinued.

Second generation (H82/H92/NA1; 2006–2013)

Second generation (H82/H92/NA1)
Mitsubishi eK Wagon (pre-facelift)
Overview
Also calledNissan Otti
Production
  • September 2006 – February 2013 (eK series)
  • October 2006 – June 2013 (Otti)
Powertrain
Engine658 cc 3G83 I3 (petrol)
Transmission
  • 5-speed manual
  • 3-speed automatic
  • 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,340 mm (92.1 in)
Length3,395 mm (133.7 in)
Width1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height1,550–1,570 mm (61.0–61.8 in)
Curb weight820–900 kg (1,808–1,984 lb)

The second generation eK Wagon and eK Sport were released on September 13, 2006, priced from ¥913,500 to ¥1,484,700.[6] The eK Active was discontinued at the time of the second generation's launch. A facelifted eK Wagon and eK Sport were released on August 21, 2008. The car sported a sliding door on the passenger side, which was unusual for its class.

Third generation (B11/B21/AA0; 2013–2019)

Third generation (B11/B21/AA0)
Overview
Also calledNissan Dayz
ProductionJune 2013 – March 2019
Body and chassis
RelatedMitsubishi eK Space (first generation)
Powertrain
Engine
  • 658 cc 3B20 I3 (petrol)
  • 658 cc 3B20T I3-T (petrol)
TransmissionCVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,430 mm (95.7 in)
Length3,395 mm (133.7 in)
Width1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height1,620 mm (63.8 in)
Curb weight820–900 kg (1,808–1,984 lb)

The third generation eK Wagon and its new sportier variant, called the eK Custom, were released on June 6, 2013. It was the first major design update since when the eK began sales.

Fourth generation (B33/B34/B35/B36/B37/B38/B40/B5A; 2019–present)

Fourth generation (B33/B34/B35/B36/B37/B38/B40/B5A)
Overview
Also calledNissan Dayz
ProductionMarch 2019 – present
Body and chassis
Related
Powertrain
Engine
  • 659 cc BR06DE I3 (petrol)
  • 659 cc BR06DET I3-T (petrol)
Electric motor
  • SM21 (MHEV; eK X/Dayz Highway Star)
  • MM48 (eK X EV)
Power output
  • 38–47 kW (51–63 hp; 52–64 PS) (ICE models)
  • 47 kW (63 hp; 64 PS) (eK X EV)
TransmissionCVT
Battery20 kWh lithium-ion (eK X EV)
Electric range180 km (110 mi) (WLTC, eK X EV)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,495 mm (98.2 in)
Length3,395 mm (133.7 in)
Width1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height1,640–1,660 mm (64.6–65.4 in)
Curb weight
  • 830–940 kg (1,830–2,072 lb) (ICE models)
  • 1,070–1,080 kg (2,359–2,381 lb) (eK X EV)
Chronology
Predecessor

The fourth generation eK Wagon and its crossover SUV-styled variant, called the eK X (pronounced "eK Cross"), were unveiled on March 14, 2019, and released on March 28, 2019.

The battery electric version called the eK X EV was introduced on May 20, 2022, along with its Nissan-badged equivalent called the Nissan Sakura, which received different exterior and interior styling compared to the Dayz.[10][11][12]

eK Space

The Mitsubishi eK Space is a tall-height wagon kei car with rear sliding doors, based on the eK Wagon. The eK Space is also sold by Nissan as the Nissan Dayz Roox from 2014 to 2020 and as the Nissan Roox from 2020.

First generation (B11/B21/BA0; 2014–2020)

First generation (B11/B21/BA0)
Overview
Also calledNissan Dayz Roox
ProductionFebruary 2014 – March 2020
Body and chassis
Body style5-door minivan
RelatedMitsubishi eK (third generation)
Powertrain
Engine
  • 658 cc 3B20 I3 (petrol)
  • 658 cc 3B20T I3-T (petrol)
TransmissionCVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,430 mm (95.7 in)
Length3,395 mm (133.7 in)
Width1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height1,775 mm (69.9 in)
Curb weight920–1,000 kg (2,028–2,205 lb)

The first generation eK Space and its sportier variant, called the eK Space Custom, were announced on October 3, 2013, and released on February 13, 2014.

Second generation (B34/B35/B37/B38/B44/B45/B47/B48; 2020–present)

Second generation (B34/B35/B37/B38/B44/B45/B47/B48)
Overview
Also calledNissan Roox
ProductionMarch 2020 – present
Body and chassis
Body style5-door minivan
Related
Powertrain
Engine
  • 658 cc BR06DE I3 (petrol)
  • 658 cc BR06DET I3-T (petrol)
Electric motorSM21 (MHEV)
TransmissionCVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,495 mm (98.2 in)
Length3,395 mm (133.7 in)
Width1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height1,780–1,800 mm (70.1–70.9 in)
Curb weight940–1,020 kg (2,072–2,249 lb)
Chronology
SuccessorMitsubishi Delica Mini (for eK X Space)

The second generation eK Space and its crossover SUV-styled variant, called the eK X Space (pronounced "eK Cross Space"), were unveiled on February 6, 2020, and went on sale on March 19, 2020.

Annual production and sales

Production figures include OEM units manufactured on behalf of Nissan, while sales figures only include Mitsubishi-badged models.

Year Production Sales
2001 97,390 86,465
2002 115,918 122,857
2003 119,652 118,567
2004 70,826 71,062
2005 118,480 73,277
2006 122,294 67,052
2007 77,875 56,686
2008 63,943 39,972

(sources: Facts & Figures 2005, Facts & Figures 2009, Mitsubishi Motors website)

References

  1. "Mitsubishi Motors proudly introduces the next standard in mini-cars, the semi-tall "eK-WAGON"" Archived 2008-07-20 at the Wayback Machine, Mitsubishi Motors press release, October 11, 2001
  2. "Mitsubishi Motors has Received the Good Design Award" Archived 2006-10-29 at the Wayback Machine, Mitsubishi Motors press release, October 11, 2001
  3. "Brand-new eK-WAGON order top 13,000 in first 4 days after launch Way over 10,000 monthly target" Archived 2006-10-29 at the Wayback Machine, Mitsubishi Motors press release, October 16, 2001
  4. "eK-WAGON orders top 20,000" Archived 2006-10-29 at the Wayback Machine, Mitsubishi Motors press release, August 8, 2006
  5. "First drives - Mitsubishi eK Sport" Archived 2007-10-24 at the Wayback Machine, Auto Express
  6. "Mitsubishi Motors launches new eK Wagon & eK Sport" Archived 2007-01-28 at the Wayback Machine, Mitsubishi Motors press release, September 13, 2006
  7. "Nissan To Get New eK WAGON Supply from Mitsubishi" Archived 2006-08-18 at the Wayback Machine, Mitsubishi Motors press release, October 31, 2001
  8. "Mitsubishi Motors admits employees falsified fuel-efficiency data", Japan Times, Apr. 20, 2016
  9. "Mitsubishi Electric fails to change negative corporate culture". The Japan News. May 12, 2016. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  10. "News Release | Mitsubishi Motors Corporation".
  11. "【三菱 eKクロスEV】実質200万円以下で買えるEV、航続180kmで新市場を創出".
  12. "【日産 サクラ】軽自動車の常識を変える!?「軽Ev」は日本に電動"花"を咲かせるか".
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