Mitsuoka MC-1
The Mitsuoka MC-1 is a microcar produced by the Japanese company Mitsuoka. It has a top speed of 50 km/h (31 mph) and a 6 hp (4 kW) engine. It lacks many items a normal car would have, (i.e. radio, airbags and GPS).[2] When the MC-1 first went on sale, it had a base price of 385,000 yen. By 2005, the price had become 488,250 yen. For the 2005 model year, the engine was shrunk by 1 cc to a 49 cc engine.[4]
| Mitsuoka MC-1 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsuoka |
| Also called | Mitsuoka MC-1 EV |
| Model years | 1998-2007[1] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Microcar |
| Layout | Mid-engine |
| Related | MC-1 EV |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 50 cc 1 cylinder[2] |
| Transmission | CVT |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 1,755 mm (69.1 in) |
| Width | 1,080 mm (42.5 in) |
| Height | 1,470 mm (57.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 160 kg (352.7 lb)[3]< 170 kg (374.8 lb)(T Variant)[4] |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Mitsuoka K-2 |
Variants
- MC-1 T
- There was also a larger T variant that is 10 kg (22 lb) heavier than the standard MC-1. There is a delivery box mount and a luggage bed. The mechanicals were the same as the MC-1.[4][5]
- MC-1 EV
- The EV version powered by a DC electric motor which produces 0.59 kilowatts (0.8 hp) of power. There are three different motors each with a different wattage: 72V, 48V, and 12V motors.[5]
Design
Mitsuoka wanted to make the MC-1 easy to take care of. There is even an owner's manual on Mitsuoka's website.[1] The interior is simple, a large speedometer with some sensors, gear shifting stick, steering wheel and a seat. The body is mostly plastic. The 'doors' are fabric. For 2004, the MC-1 was slightly redesigned by adding a slit under the headlights.[3]
Safety
The MC-1 is extremely unsafe as most of the car is plastic and fabric. It has no airbags, but it does have a 3-point seatbelt.[3][5]
Marketing
It was marketed under the slogan, 'Microcar for your life.'[1]
References
- "マイクロカーシリーズ". Mitsuoka. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
- "Mitsuoka MC-1 1998". Amayama. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
- Alexander Zhilin (7 October 2008). "Mitsuoka MC-1. Автомобиль для эгоиста (Russian)". Ambox. Archived from the original on 28 August 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
- "MITSUOKA MC1". GooNetExchange. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
- "ミツオカ ＭＣ－１ 2005年6月(平成17年6月) 発売モデル". Retrieved 23 June 2014.