Mitsubishi Motors' 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Team

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), will enter two all-electric vehicles (EVs) in the Electric Class of thelegendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb*1. MMC will be aiming for victory in the Electric Class with the i-MiEV Evolution, a specially-prepared competition version based on the i-MiEV all-electric vehicle*2. MMC is also entering a regular production i-MiEV in the event.

*1: Held annually in Colorado in the United States. The 2012 event is schedule for 3 - 8 July.
*2: i car in other countries.

Enter the i-MiEV Evolution
The i-MiEV Evolution uses the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the production i-MiEV and has been developed in cooperation with several partner companies including Meidensha Corporation and GS Yuasa Corporation. The i-MiEV Evolution has been developed to showcase MMC's advanced EV control and EV component technologies. MMC will use the technical know-how garnered through the i-MiEV Evolution'sdevelopment and usage for the development of future electric car models with superior durability and reliability.

All-pro Team
Driving the i-MiEV Evolution in the Pikes Peak event and also serving as team manager will be Mr. Hiroshi Masuoka, the first Japanese driver to post consecutive overall victories in the Dakar Rally. The production Mitsubishi i-MiEV will be piloted by Ms. Beccy Gordon, a winner in the Score International Off-Road Racing Series.

1. Mitsubishi Motors 2012 Pikes Peak Challenge Team

Team Manager Hiroshi Masuoka

Drivers Hiroshi Masuoka Beccy Gordon

Competition Cars i-MiEV Evolution Mitsubishi i(i-MiEV in other countries)

Racing class Electric Class

2. Outline Description of Cars Entered for Pikes Peak

(1) i-MiEV Evolution
Developed for the Pikes Peak event, the i-MiEV Evolution basically uses the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the production i-MiEV fitted to a specially-designed racing-specific body which uses a tube-frame chassis and a carbon fibre cowl among other features designed to reduce weight and improve aerodynamic performance. Comprising a single motor driving the front and two motors driving the rear wheels, the car's four-wheel-drive system provides superior motive performance and handling.

L x W x H (mm) 4341 x 1900 x 1339

Occupants 1

Drivetrain 4-wheel drive

Motors Number 3 (1 front, 2 rear)

Max. output (kW) 240 (80 kW x 3)

Drive battery Rated capacity (kWh) 35

Chassis Specially-designed tube frame

Cowl Carbon fibre

Tyres 245/40R18

(2) Mitsubishi i-MiEV
For the Pikes Peak event the production Mitsubishi i-MiEV has been modified using a more aerodynamic front bumper and fitted with roll bars and other safety equipment.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV went on sale on the west coast of the United States (in the states of California, Washington and Oregon) and in Hawaii in November 2011 with plans to expand sales to the whole of the country by June 2012. The i i-MiEV also went on sale in Canada as the i-MiEV in December 2011, marking its full-scale launch targeting corporate and individual customers in the North American market.

L x W x H (mm) 3675 (+280) x 1585 (+110) x 1615 (+5)

Occupants 4

Drivetrain Rear wheel drive

Motors Number of: 1
Max. output (kW/rpm) 49 (+2) / 3,000 - 6,000

Drive battery Rated capacity (kWh) 16

Tires F: 145/65/R15
R: 175/60 (+5)/R15
3. 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: "Given the tough driving conditions that Pikes Peak is known for, I'm really keen to show people the world over that electric vehicles are capable of gutsy motive performance and excellent handling in addition to their superior environmental performance."

Beccy Gordon

Beccy Gordon is an American off-road racer. She grew up in a family in which her father, brother and sister have all been successful racing drivers, as is her husband today. Gordon herself is an experienced driver having raced in a wide spectrum of motor sports and she is also a motorsport spokesperson.

Gordon commented before the event: "I'm really happy to be able to drive the Mitsubishi i-MiEV in the Pikes Peak race and am looking forward to giving it my best in an electric car, the type of vehicle that is set to become a major player in motor sports in future."

4. Partner Companies (20 in all, listed in alphabetical order)

Advics Co., Ltd.
Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd.
Dunlop Goodyear Tires Ltd.
Endless Advance Co., Ltd.
Enkei Corporation
GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.
GS Yuasa Corporation
Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
HKS Co., Ltd.
Meidensha Corporation
Mikuni Corp.
Mitsubishi Corporation
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Mitsubishi Motor Dealers Association
NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha
NTN Corporation
Showa Corporation
Toray Industries, Inc.
Tsuchiya Co., Ltd.

For further information contact:
Caitlin Beale
Corporate Communications Manager
Phone: 08 8275 7250
Mobile: 0417 243 719
cbeale@mmal.com.au

Shona Connolly
Corporate Communications Coordinator
Phone: 08 8275 2676
sconnolly@mmal.com.au

Mitsubishi Motors Australia is part of the global Mitsubishi Motors organisation and is fully owned by Mitsubishi, one of the world's largest companies.

The company's history dates back to 1870, when Mitsubishi's Japanese founder, Yataro Iwasaki, started a shipping company with three steamships. The company grew from strength to strength and, in 1914, registered the Mitsubishi three-diamond trademark. This symbol embodies more than 130 years of tradition, and has earned the confidence and trust of customers all over the world.

Mitsubishi takes great pride from knowing that more than 11 million people from around the world have chosen to drive a Mitsubishi vehicle. There are Mitsubishi dealers in more than 200 sites across Australia. These professional and knowledgeable dealers help owners ensure their Mitsubishi car is always looked after by fully-trained Mitsubishi technicians, using genuine Mitsubishi parts that meet stringent global standards.

Mitsubishi works hard to develop award winning new car and electric car, SUV, 4x4, commercial vans.

Book a test drive online at Mitsubishi Australia.

Mitsubishi Australia

SA 5042, Australia

(08) 8275 2348

This release was published on openPR.