Sketches from Mitsubishi&39's global corporate site show a wider bodied i-MiEV that could be what the carmaker will unveil at the 2010 LA Auto Show.

Mitsubishi announced on Twitter the U.S. version of its 2011 Mitsubishi i-MiEV will be unveiled at the 2010 Los Angeles auto show next month.

Could a wider version of the i-MiEV mean the four-seater will become a 5-seater

Earlier today Autoblog posted online sketches it snagged from Mitsubishi's global corporate site of a wider bodied i-MiEV. They're guessing that these drawings could be the beefed up version of the compact EV that will enter the North American market next year.

The all-electric compact car that we've been seeing up to this point is the Japanese model that seats four and has a 100-mile range. The i-MiEV is expected to be upgraded for the North American market, though details on its new features have not been released. The wider body allows for better side impact protection, such as stronger cross-beams, letting it meet U.S. crash protection regulations. The car is expected to sell for under $30,000--less than the $32,780 MSRP for the Nissan Leaf--before the $7,500 federal tax credit.

Source: Autoblog