Manufacturer Mitsuoka Model years 1998-2007 Layout Mid-engine | Also called Mitsuoka MC-1 EV Class Microcar Related | |
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The Mitsuoka MC-1 is a microcar produced by the Japanese company Mitsuoka. It has a top speed of 50 km/h and a 6 hp engine. It lacks many items a normal car would have, (i.e. radio, airbags and GPS). 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.
Contents
Variants
There was also a larger T variant that is 10 kg 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.
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.
Design
Mitsuoka wanted to make the MC-1 easy to take care of. There is even an owner's manual on Mitsuoka's website. 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.
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.
Marketing
It was marketed under the slogan, 'Microcar for your life.'