Mitsubishi will be back at this year’s Pikes Peak hill climb event with a new and thoroughly improved MiEV Evolution electric race car. The MiEV II is powered by four 100kW electric motors, has a super-all-wheel-drive system, and a specially-designed pipe frame. Lightweight and aerodynamic body, and a high-capacity battery are among the other highlights.

The Pikes Peak project has helped Mitsu to gain vital experiences 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. The production MiEV is still a pretty shoddy product as far as design, performance and range goes, but maybe someday they use the motors in this race car and create an electric sports car.

The race car also introduces a couple of new technologies that can be used in production EVs. They includes the AYC (Active Yaw Control), which optimally controls the yaw moment to generate high cornering capability, and the ASC (Active Stability Control) which improves stability by automatically controlling brake force to one or more wheels and motive.

Mitsubishi will enter two MiEV Evos into this year’s race. The first one will be driven by two-time Dakar Rally overall champion Hiroshi Masuoka, who piloted the i-MiEV Evolution to second place honours 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.