Mitsubishi Motors are show casing their i MiEV SPORT at the Frankfurt Motor Show. First impression? "Geez, that thing is UGLY!". The Mitsubishi press release states that the i MiEV SPORT "enhances the 'driving' image of Mitsubishi's electric vehicles". I would argue that is a very very long bow to draw!

If you can look past the i MiEV SPORT's aesthetically horrific exterior, there are some nifty features under its shell. One in-wheel motor is placed at each front wheel and a single motor drives the rear wheels. An E-4WD system "electronically optimizes" the output of all motors. An all new E-AYC (Electric Active Yaw Control) system is used to directly regulate torque at the left and right rear wheels via an electric motor.

In addition to the E-4WD and E-AYC, the S-AWC system integrates ABS and ASC (Active Stability Control aka. ESC) systems, independently controlling driving force, traction and braking at all four wheels.

Energy conservation is a big part of the i MiEV, with an auxiliary photovoltaic generator on the roof, a power-generating fan inside the front grill, and regenerative braking functions to recover energy when the car is slowing down.

Underneath it all, the Mitsubishi i MiEV SPORT looks like it could be a neat little package. It's just a shame that Mitsubishi have fallen for the environmentally friendly design mantra of "environmentally friendly = ugly".

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