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Mitsubishi Motors has announced that it will tackle the daunting Pikes Peak hill climb with a prototype based on its i-MiEV electric car. The i-MiEV Evolution will be piloted by the Japanese manufacturer's own rally driver and race team manager, Hiroshi Masuoka along the near 13-mile course that snakes its way up Pikes Peak mountain in Colorado, USA.

Exterior

While the Evolution does retain much of the mechanical components of its street sibling the bodywork is completely bespoke. The carbon fibre cowl is lighter, lower and wider than that of the standard i-MiEV in a bid to reduce weight and also the car's centre of gravity. The body has also been aerodynamically designed to allow the Evolution to attack the fearsome Pikes Peak at full (and silent) tilt.

Interior

The single-seat i-MiEv Evolution is not likely to be the last word in luxury. Other than the racing seat that Masouka-san will occupy you will find a roll cage, a steering wheel and maybe some pedals.

Mechanicals

For the Evolution Mitsubishi has replaced the i-MiEV's standard single 49kW electric motor with three 80 kW units, while the batteries, developed by electrical component and battery manufacturers Meidensha and GS Yuasa, more than double the Evolution's specific output. Also unlike the rear-wheel drive i-MiEV, the Pikes Peak special sends power to all four wheels.

Paul Healy - 18 May 2012