Box Autos

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) readies for a daring return to the EV Division of the prestigious 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) with a pair of 100% electric-powered MiEV Evolution II race cars, set to compete on June 30th near Colorado Springs, CO.

Two-time Dakar Rally overall champion Hiroshi Masuoka returns for the 2013 Pikes Peak effort, partnered this year with six-time Pikes Peak overall motorcycle champion Greg Tracy.

The Mitsubishi Motors Racing Team conducted vehicle testing of the all-new MiEV Evolution II at Pikes Peak on June 15-16 in preparation for this year’s Race to the Clouds and the 100 percent electric-powered racing prototype performed flawlessly.

“I was very impressed with the performance and capabilities of last year’s Pikes Peak racing car,” said Masuoka. “But the improved power output, Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) handling and level of downforce exhibited from this year’s all-new MiEV Evolution II is remarkable.”

Teammate Greg Tracy also came away impressed with the unique quad-motor 400 kW (536 bhp) all-electric race car.

“Having watched Mitsubishi Motors’ success last year in their inaugural Pikes Peak run, and having used Mitsubishi’s S-AWC in my World Record Loop at the X Games, I was honored to be given the opportunity to race for MMNA in the EV Division. Having now tested the car, I am even more thrilled.”

The MiEV Evolution II features a unique four-motor drivetrain (two front/two rear) based on a modified high-output version of the production Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle motor, a tube-frame chassis, Mitsubishi Motors’ highly-advanced Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive technology, aerodynamically-enhanced carbon-fiber bodywork and state-of-the-art high-capacity lithium-ion batteries by Lithium Energy Japan (LEJ).

Last year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb marked Mitsubishi Motors’ debut in the Electric Vehicle Division with the i-MiEV Evolution racing prototype which, at the hands of driver Hiroshi Masuoka, resulted in an excellent second place finish in the EV class.

First run in 1916, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a treacherous 12.42-mile/156 corner road course through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado commencing at an elevation of 9,390 feet and finishing at 14,110 feet, nearly three miles above sea level.

Also representing Mitsubishi amidst all the excitement, the all-new 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander crossover, arriving in dealerships this month, will serve as the “Official Safety Vehicle” for this year’s 91st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. With available technologically-advanced safety features including Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM),the stylish seven-passenger 2014 Outlander will serve alongside two Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution safety vehicles at the annual motorsports extravaganza.