536bhp electric Mitsubishis set to tackle Pikes Peak hill climb

Mitsubishi has announced the entry of a pair of all-electric MiEV Evolution II race cars in to the 2013 Pikes Peak hill climb.

The original i-MiEV Evolution competed in the Pikes Peak last year, completing the course in 10m 31sec and earning a second-place finish in the electric vehicle class. Overall, it finished eighth out of a total 170 entries, setting times faster than many petrol-powered rivals.

Mitsubishi's MiEV Evolution II, which is hoped to attain a first-place finish overall, uses parts from production vehicles combined with a specially designed high-performance battery and electric motors.

Experience from last year's race has led to the addition of Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control system, as well as a two-front/two-rear four-motor drivetrain, in order to improve the car's performance.

Power has risen considerably, with the original Evolution offering a total 321bhp and the new Evolution a total of 536bhp. Other changes include reductions in weight and aerodynamic improvements, partly thanks to a specially designed body.

One MiEV Evolution II will be driven by two-time Dakar Rally overall champion Hirsohi Masuoka; the second will be driven by Greg Tracy, six-time Pikes Peak motorcycle champion.

The 91st running of the 'Race to the clouds' will see the MiEVs race alongside other all-electric competitors, including a Honda Fit EV and the Monster Sport E-RUNNER. The 12.42-mile hill climb features 156 turns and, from start to finish, an increase in altitude of 4,720ft. The current course record, set in 2012 by Rhys Millen, is 9m 46sec. 

The original i-MiEV Evolution was a purpose-built hill climb car that used three electric motors, each outputting 107bhp and 148lb ft. One drove the front axle, the others drove the rear, giving the Evolution four-wheel drive and a 0-60mph time of 3.8sec.

Of the previous entry, 2012 team principal and driver Hiroshi Masuoka said  "Although we missed out on capturing the top spot by finishing 2nd in the Electric Division, I'm satisfied that we were able to compete in the challenging driving conditions of this Pikes Peak course using motors and batteries from the production i-MiEV."

Other notable entries into the 2013 Pikes Peak include the Peugeot 208 T16, the manufacturer's first entry into the event since 1989.

To watch Autocar's video review of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV Evolution, click here. For our full road test, click here.