Mitsubishi eK

The Mitsubishi eK (Japanese: 三菱・イーケイ, Hepburn: Mitsubishi Ē Kei) is a kei car series from Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan, based on the long-running Minica, and first introduced on October 11, 2001. The "eK" name is an abbreviation for "excellent keijidōsha" (or "excellent minicar") and is meant to be pronounced "ee kay", a pun which sounds like the Japanese いい軽, meaning "good kei [car]".^[1]

Mitsubishi eK
Mitsubishi eK Wagon
Overview
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Motors (2001–2013) NMKV (2013–present)
Also called	Nissan Otti (2005–2013) Nissan Dayz (2013–present)
Production	October 2001 – present
Assembly	Japan: Kurashiki, Okayama (Mizushima plant)
Body and chassis
Class	Kei car
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Related	Mitsubishi eK Space Nissan Sakura
Chronology
Predecessor	Mitsubishi Minica Mitsubishi i

Since June 8, 2005, Nissan received 36,000 eK Wagons annually from Mitsubishi, to be sold within the domestic market as the Nissan Otti.^[2] 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. A tall-height minivan version with rear sliding doors called the eK Space appeared in 2014. It, too has a Nissan version, called the Nissan Dayz Roox from 2014 to 2020 and as the Nissan Roox from 2020.

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.^[3] The resultant scandal culminated in Nissan acquiring a controlling interest in Mitsubishi the following month.^[4]

Mitsubishi eK logo (2013–2020)

First generation (2001)

First generation
Mitsubishi eK Wagon (pre-facelift)
Overview
Model code	H81 H91 NA0
Also called	Nissan Otti
Production	October 2001 – September 2006 (eK series) June 2005 – October 2006 (Otti)
Powertrain
Engine	658 cc 3G83 I3 658 cc 3G83T turbo I3
Transmission	5-speed manual 3/4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,340 mm (92.1 in)
Length	3,395 mm (133.7 in)
Width	1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height	1,550–1,600 mm (61.0–63.0 in)
Curb weight	790–910 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). On December 20, 2005, the eK Classy was discontinued. The eK Wagon was released in a simplified lineup, in only a single model (M) with an available package (M+X) including alloy wheels and some other cosmetics. It was only available with the 3G83, naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine with 50 PS (37 kW); other models later added the option of a turbocharged version with 64 PS (47 kW). The standard transmission was a three-speed automatic with a column shift, later a four-speed version was added, while some models could also be fitted with a five-speed manual with a floor-mounted shifter. Most models could be had with either front- or four-wheel drive.

Immediately upon its release it was the recipient of the Good Design Award by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2001.^[5] 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.^[6][7] It was Mitsubishi's highest volume model in the Japanese domestic market,^[8] and total sales to 2005 are approximately 480,000.^[9] In Japan, it was sold at a specific retail chain called Car Plaza.

The crossover eK Active model was introduced in May 2004, shortly before the model was facelifted. Fitted with 14-inch wheels, ground clearance was increased by 10 mm (0.4 in) while the front seats sat 45 mm (1.8 in) higher.^[10] The addition of body cladding in dark grey imparted an off-road look to the model; the front clip was also different, featuring the new corporate face conceived by Olivier Boulay. The eK Active was available with either engine (the V model being naturally aspirated, VT the turbocharged model) but only with the four-speed automatic; both models also had optional four-wheel drive.

The eK Wagon G model, with more equipment and the four-speed automatic, was added in May 2003, originally only as the "M20G Thanks Edition", celebrating 200,000 sales. In August 2003 the G became a standard model, while the X-package was discontinued.^[11] A facelifted eK Wagon was introduced on December 20, 2004; the eK Active was not changed apart from receiving redesigned hubcaps.

Mitsubishi eK

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  Mitsubishi eK Wagon (pre-facelift)
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  Mitsubishi eK Wagon (facelift)
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  Mitsubishi eK Wagon (facelift)
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  Mitsubishi eK Sport
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  Mitsubishi eK Sport
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  2004–2005 Mitsubishi eK Classy
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  2004–2005 Mitsubishi eK Classy
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  Mitsubishi eK Active
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  Mitsubishi eK Active
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  Mitsubishi eK Sport interior

Nissan Otti

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  2005 Nissan Otti
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  Nissan Otti RX
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  Nissan Otti interior

Second generation (2006)

Second generation
Mitsubishi eK Wagon (pre-facelift)
Overview
Model code	H82 H92 NA1
Also called	Nissan Otti
Production	September 2006 – February 2013 (eK series) October 2006 – June 2013 (Otti)
Body and chassis
Related	Mitsubishi Toppo (H82A)
Powertrain
Engine	658 cc 3G83 I3 (petrol)
Transmission	5-speed manual 3/4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,340 mm (92.1 in)
Length	3,395 mm (133.7 in)
Width	1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height	1,550–1,570 mm (61.0–61.8 in)
Curb weight	820–900 kg (1,808–1,984 lb)

The second generation eK Wagon and eK Sport were released on September 13, 2006.^[9] 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 and a layout which was abandoned for the third generation.

A rebodied version of this generation became the fourth generation Toppo as well, using some body panels of the third generation Toppo. For the next generation, this became the Mitsubishi eK Space.

Mitsubishi eK

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  Mitsubishi eK Wagon (pre-facelift)
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  Mitsubishi eK Wagon (facelift)
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  Mitsubishi eK Sport

Nissan Otti

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  Nissan Otti
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  Nissan Otti
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  Nissan Otti RX/RZ
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  Nissan Otti interior

Third generation (2013)

Third generation
Overview
Model code	B11 B21 AA0
Also called	Nissan Dayz
Production	June 2013 – March 2019
Body and chassis
Related	Mitsubishi eK Space (first generation)
Powertrain
Engine	658 cc 3B20 I3 658 cc 3B20T turbo I3
Transmission	CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,430 mm (95.7 in)
Length	3,395 mm (133.7 in)
Width	1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height	1,620 mm (63.8 in)
Curb weight	820–900 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. This time, Nissan's derivative was sold as the Nissan Dayz, while the eK Custom was sold as the Nissan Dayz Highway Star.

Mitsubishi eK

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  Mitsubishi eK Wagon (facelift)
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  Rear view
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  Mitsubishi eK Custom
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  Mitsubishi eK Custom rear view
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  Mitsubishi eK Custom (facelift)
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  Mitsubishi eK Custom (facelift) rear view
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  Interior

Nissan Dayz

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  Nissan Dayz
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  Nissan Dayz rear view
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  Nissan Dayz (facelift)
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  Nissan Dayz rear view (facelift)
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  Nissan Dayz Highway Star
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  Nissan Dayz Highway Star (facelift)
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  Interior

Fourth generation (2019)

Fourth generation
Overview
Model code	B33 B34 B35 B36 B37 B38 B40 B5A
Also called	Nissan Dayz
Production	March 2019 – present
Body and chassis
Related	Nissan Sakura Mitsubishi eK Space (second generation)
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 (52–64 PS) (ICE models) 47 kW (64 PS) (eK X EV)
Transmission	CVT
Battery	20 kWh lithium-ion (eK X EV)
Electric range	180 km (110 mi) (WLTC, eK X EV)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,495 mm (98.2 in)
Length	3,395 mm (133.7 in)
Width	1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height	1,640–1,660 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	Mitsubishi Pajero Mini (eK X) Mitsubishi i-MiEV (eK X EV)

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.^[12][13][14]

Mitsubishi eK

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  Rear view
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  Mitsubishi eK X
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  Mitsubishi eK X rear view
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  Mitsubishi eK X EV
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  Mitsubishi eK X EV rear view
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  Mitsubishi eK X EV interior

Nissan Dayz

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  Nissan Dayz (pre-facelift)
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  Nissan Dayz (pre-facelift)
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  Nissan Dayz Highway Star (pre-facelift)
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  Nissan Dayz Highway Star (pre-facelift)
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  Nissan Dayz (facelift)
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  Nissan Dayz (facelift)
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  Nissan Dayz Highway Star (facelift)
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  Interior

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)

Sales

Year	Japan[15][16]
	Nissan Dayz	Mitsubishi eK X EV
2013	78,846
2014	88,186
2015	71,558
2016	51,329
2017	63,969
2018	63,883
2019	89,371[a]
2020	71,934
2021	53,773
2022	43,864	4,175
2023	38,687	7,021
2024	50,432	2,504
18,663 of the third generation (AA0) and 70,708 of the fourth generation (B5A).