Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has announced it will enter two MiEV Evolution III all-electric racecar in the 2014 Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

RUNNING FROM 23-29 JUNE this will be the third time Mitsubishi has competed in the Electric Division, and it’s hoping this year, to take its first win in the Electric Modified Division.

So, what is the MiEV Evolution III? Well, it’s an evolution, pardon the pun, of the 2013 MiEV Evolution II. It features a high-capacity battery, high-output electric motor and electric powered 4WD (all-wheel drive, really) consisting of four electric motors with improvements over the previous generation to give better motive and cornering performance. Combined, the four electric motors produce 450kW (up from 400kW) with the tyres uprated from 260/650-18 to 330/680-18.

The pipe-frame chassis is now lighter than before, while downforce has been improved thanks to a new carbon cowl design and with wind-tunnel optimisation of the spoiler and other detail shapes

Here’s what Hiroshi Masuoka, Driver and Team Captain, had to say: “This is the third Pikes Peak for MMC. The i-MiEV Evolution we entered in 2012 used the motors, the battery and many other components from the production i-MiEV model. It was our first Pikes Peak but our second place finish in the Electric Division proved that MMC’s electric vehicle technologies were more than capable of withstanding the rigors of the tough world of motor racing.

“Last year, our second Pikes Peak, we entered the MiEV Evolution II, fitted with many advance development parts, with the objective of feeding back the data and knowhow gained into future production models. MiEV Evolution II also used the S-AWC integrated vehicle dynamics control system, one of MMC’s foremost technologies, to realise a major improvement in performance. Unfortunately we just missed victory, finishing second in our division, when a sudden downpour just before our start time prevented us from using slick tyres. This year sees our third attempt at this great race and we will be going for victory in the Electric Modified Division.

“MiEV Evolution III is an improved version of last year’s machine and brings significantly better cornering performance after improvements to the motors, aerodynamics and tyres. That the driver can feel confident about extracting every ounce of the increased performance is thanks to evolutionary development of the S-AWC system. This has resulted in a quantum leap in vehicle stability on winding roads, and I am confident that MiEV Evolution III will demonstrate the full extent of its potential over a course such as Pikes Peak with its 156 corners.”

MiEV Evolution III

Length x Width x Height (mm) 4870 x 1900 x 1390 Drivetrain 4WD using 4 motors Motors (Made by Meidensha) Configuration 4 (2 front, 2 rear) Maximum output (kW) 450 (112.5 kWx4 motors) Battery (Made by LEJ) Maximum capacity (kWh) 50 Chassis Steel pipe frame Cowl Carbon Suspension (Front) Double wishbone (Rear) Double wishbone Brakes (Made by ENDLESS) (Front) 380 mm disc with 6-pot calipers (Rear) 330 mm disc with 4-pot calipers Tyres (Made by Dunlop) 330 / 680-18 Wheels (Made by Enkei) 13J-18

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Held annually in Colorado, United States, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is an automobile and motorcycle hill climb. First run in 1916, the hill climb celebrates its 92nd running this year (2014).  The race starts at an elevation of 2862m and takes competitors through 156 corners on a 20km course to the finish on the 4,301 metre summit of Pikes Peak. With an elevation difference of 1439m, atmospheric pressure, temperature, weather and other conditions vary significantly between the start and finish.