Mitsubishi Motors to Enter Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2013 16.05.2013: Two all-new MiEV Evolution II all-electric racecars to take on legendary race Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will compete in the 2013 edition

Two all-new MiEV Evolution II all-electric racecars to take on legendary race



 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will compete in the 2013 edition of the world-famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb*1 (Pikes Peak, held from June 25 to June 30) with the MiEV Evolution II all-electric prototype. With the upgraded MiEV Evolution II, MMC aims for overall first place. MMC's team will consist of two of the new all-electric four-wheel drive (4WD) racecars.
 

MMC will utilize the data and technical knowhow garnered through its participation in the event in its @earth TECHNOLOGY*2 next-generation advanced technology R&D program for eventual use in future production vehicles.
 

MMC entered the Pikes Peak competition for the first time last year with the i-MiEV Evolution all-electric prototype, finishing second in the Electric Division. Participation in the event brought a rich harvest in terms of vehicle speed, acceleration and other on-road data, as well as drive battery consumption, motor temperature and other data and knowhow critical to electric vehicle development.
 

Like last year's i-MiEV Evolution, the MiEV Evolution II uses parts used in production vehicles combined with a high-capacity battery and high-output motors both specially designed by MMC's suppliers.


Based on experience gained from last year's race, MMC added S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) integrated vehicle dynamics control system to a two-front/two-rear four-motor drivetrain for increased handling and control in the MiEV Evolution II.


These, together with a specially-designed body that provides reduced weight and improved aerodynamics, has resulted in a significant improvement in driving dynamics.
 

One MiEV Evolution II will be driven by two-time Dakar Rally overall champion Hiroshi Masuoka, who piloted the i-MiEV Evolution to second place honors in the Electric Class last year and also act as Captain of the MMC team. The second MiEV Evolution II will be piloted by Greg Tracy, six-time Pikes Peak motorcycle champion.
 

In addition, Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMC's United States subsidiary) is participating as Presenting Sponsor for this year's race and MMC's new Outlander – recently awarded Japan's JNCAP Five Star Award as well as JNCAP First Prize for outstanding safety performance*3 – will be this year's "Official Safety Vehicle" for the world-famous race.
 

         
MiEV Evolution II
 

*1:     Held annually in Colorado, United States, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is an annual automobile and motorcycle hill climb to the 4,300 meter summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado with entrants covering an elevation difference of almost 1,500 meters. First run in 1916, the hill climb celebrates its 91st running this year making it the second oldest motor sport race in the United States after the Indianapolis 500. Also known as The Race to the Clouds, atmospheric pressure, temperature, weather and other conditions vary significantly between the start and finish and this requires optimum tuning to ensure the vehicles produce their maximum performance all the way up. www.ppihc.com/

*2:     MMC's tagline for a raft of next-generation advanced technologies which aim to contribute to environmental responsibility and to deliver driving pleasure as well as reassuring safety.

*3:     http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/publish/pressrelease_en/corporate/2013/news/detail0879.html



 
Partners (21, in alphabetical order)

Advics Co., Ltd.
dSPACE Japan K.K.
Dunlop Goodyear Tires Ltd.
ENDLESS ADVANCE Co., Ltd.
Enkei Corporation
GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.
GS Yuasa Corporation
Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
Kenwood U.S.A. Corporation
Linear Technology Corporation
MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
MIKUNI CORP.
Mitsubishi Corporation
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Mitsubishi Motors Dealers Association
NHK SPRING Co., Ltd.
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK LINE)
NTN Corporation
Real Power
Tsuchiya Co., Ltd.
 

 Driver Profiles
 

Hiroshi Masuoka (Product Strategy Office, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation)


Hiroshi Masuoka began his Dakar Rally campaign in 1987 and became the first Japanese driver to post consecutive overall victories in the event when he won in 2002 and 2003.


Currently Masuoka works at Mitsubishi Motors where his many duties include vehicle development, the training of company test drivers and the running of test drive sessions and other events both in Japan and overseas.


Masuoka had the following to say before the event: "We are able to tackle Pikes Peak a second time thanks to the support of our many partner companies. We were able to come up with a new and improved MiEV Evolution II based on the precious data and knowhow we gained from last year's race.


 We welcome Greg Tracy as our teammate. With his wealth of motorsport experience, we will do our all for a one-two finish. Thank you for your continued support!"
 
   

Greg Tracy, professional driver


Six-time Pikes Peak overall motorcycle champion, Greg placed second overall in motorcycles in 2012. Greg brings a wealth of racing experience not only in motorcycles but four-wheeled vehicles as well and is also a stunt driver. Greg brings high racing skills in four-wheeled vehicles and knows the Pikes Peak course inside and out.


Greg commented "I'm excited to compete here in the MiEV Evolution II. I will do my best, along with my teammates to make an electric vehicle the champ for the first time ever."

   
- Russell Roll, photos Mitsubishi -