Although Mitsubishi has already bid farewell to its famous Evolution production, there will be another vehicle from the Japanese automaker that will bear the “Evolution” tag. But that vehicle will not be a four-door sedan like the old Evolutions used to be, but instead the name will be carried by the electrically-powered Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
And this i-MiEV Evolution will be put to the test by Mitsubishi in conquering one of the most daunting hill climbs ever, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Dubbed as The Race to the Clouds, the climb features a 19.99km stretch of road with 156 turns to negotiate before reaching the summit.
<a href="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/imiev_side.jpg"><img src="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/imiev_side.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="378" /></a>
But of course, being called the “Evolution”, this participating i-MiEV will not look like the standard urban-friendly electric car that strolls gently down the streets. It will in fact receive a makeover, having a wider track and a racing-specific body that utilizes a tube-frame chassis and a carbon fibre cowl, riding on 18-inch wheels.
<a href="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/imiev_front.jpg"><img src="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/imiev_front.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="398" /></a>
And like all the Evolutions, this one will be four-wheel drive. The i-MiEV Evolution will be powered by a single motor for the front wheels and two motors powering the rears, equaling to 240kW of thrust altogether.
<a href="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/iMiEV-Pikes-Peak.jpg"><img src="http://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/iMiEV-Pikes-Peak.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="448" /></a>
A lightly modified version of the i-MiEV powered by a single 49kW motor powering the rear wheels will also be taking part in this race, and will receive some modifications such as a more aerodynamic front bumper and roll bars. Both of these entries are aimed by Mitsubishi to reach the top spots of the “Electric Class” in the hill climb event.
Sources:
<a href="http://www.cbt.com.my/2012/05/19/i-miev-evolution-headed-for-pikes-peak/">http://www.cbt.com.my/2012/05/19/i-miev-evolution-headed-for-pikes-peak/</a>
<a href="http://paultan.org/2012/05/21/mitsubishi-i-miev-evolution-set-to-take-on-pikes-peak/">http://paultan.org/2012/05/21/mitsubishi-i-miev-evolution-set-to-take-on-pikes-peak/</a>
<a href="http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/05/mitsubishi-prepares-i-miev-evolution-electric-car-for-the-race-to-the-clouds/">http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/05/mitsubishi-prepares-i-miev-evolution-electric-car-for-the-race-to-the-clouds/</a>
<a href="http://en.responsejp.com/special/343/Mitsubishi/1.html">http://en.responsejp.com/special/343/Mitsubishi/1.html</a>
