The Automotive Researchers’ & Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC) has named Mitsubishi’s ‘i’ mini-car as the 2007 Car of the Year.

This is the first time Mitsubishi has won this award. The company developed the i car to be a high-end small car with a lot of interior space. The company also managed to concentrate on maintaining impact safety.

The Mitsubishi i features a rear mid-engine layout with the engine mounted on its side under the back seat.

The company has now said that they would continue to work on this platform and would launch new models based on the same layout.

MMC president Osamu Masuko added: “We are honored to receive this significant award today with our “i” mini-car that has found favor with customers for its outstanding and futuristic design. We will keep working on the development of customer-oriented models with this unique “rear-midship layout” platform that brings new levels of ride comfort and impact safety together with innovative design.”