Mitsubishi to tackle Pikes Peak with all electric i-MiEV Evolution race car

The Nissan Leaf made headlines last year by doing well at the Pikes Peak. This year it has competition with Mitsubishi Motors announcing its contender for the 2012 Pikes Peak challenge, the i-MiEV Evolution race car. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will enter two all-electric vehicles (EVs) in the Electric Class of the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. MMC will be aiming for victory in the Electric Class with the i-MiEV Evolution, a specially-prepared competition version based on the i all-electric vehicle. MMC is also entering a regular production i in the event.

The i-MiEV Evolution uses the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the production i and has been developed in cooperation with several partner companies including Meidensha Corporation and GS Yuasa Corporation. The i-MiEV Evolution has been developed to showcase MMC’s advanced EV control and EV component technologies. MMC will use the technical know-how garnered through the i-MiEV Evolution's development and usage for the development of future EV models with superior durability and reliability. Driving the i-MiEV Evolution in the Pikes Peak event and also serving as team manager will be Mr. Hiroshi Masuoka - the first Japanese driver to post consecutive overall victories in the Dakar Rally. The Mitsubishi i will be piloted by Ms. Beccy Gordon, a winner in the Score International Off-Road Racing Series.

Developed for the Pikes Peak event, the i-MiEV Evolution basically uses the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the production i-MiEV fitted to a specially-designed racing-specific body which uses a tube-frame chassis and a carbon fibre cowl among other features designed to reduce weight and improve aerodynamic performance. Comprising a single motor driving the front and two motors driving the rear wheels, the car's four-wheel-drive system provides superior motive performance and handling. As for the i, Mitsubishi has modified it using a more aerodynamic front bumper and fitted with roll bars and other safety equipment.