Mitsubishi MiEV Evolution II στο φετινό Pikes Peak, ετοιμάζει entry-level sedan

Η Mitsubishi επιστρέφει στο Pikes Peak με το ηλεκτρικό MiEV Evolution II. Πρόκειται για την εξέλιξη του περσινού πρωτότυπου με το φετινό να έχει μήκος 4.870 mm, πλάτος 1.900 mm, ύψος 1.390 mm και διαθέτει σωληνωτό πλαίσιο με carbon σώμα. Φορά τέσσερις ηλεκτροκινητήρες, ανά δύο τοποθετημένοι σε κάθε άξονα, οι οποίοι συνολικά αποδίδουν 400 kW (544 άλογα).

Οι ηλεκτροκινητήρες τροφοδοτούνται από μια μπαταρία 50 kWh, η οποία είναι τοποθετημένη στο πάτωμα με τους ηλεκτροκινητήρες να συνεργάζονται με τα συστήματα Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC), Active Yaw Control (AYC) και Active Stability Control (ASC).

Παράλληλα η Mitsubishi εξετάζει να βγάλει στην αγορά και την έκδοση παραγωγής του G4 Concept. Το νέο entry-level sedan θα βγει στην αγορά το 2015 και θα πωλείται και στην αγορά της Αμερικής.

Στις σχετικές ειδήσεις η Mitsubishi, αφού εντόπισε το πρόβλημα στις μπαταρίες των υβριδικών μοντέλων της, θα διπλασιάσει τη παραγωγή του Outlander PHEV. Έτσι η παραγωγή του θα αυξηθεί από τις 2.000 στις 4.000 .

Bonus! Δες και τη νέα διαφήμιση της Mitsubishi για το i-MiEV στην οποία πρωταγωνιστούν “babes” κάποιας μεγαλύτερης ηλικίας.

[Πηγή: Mitsubishi, Automotive News]

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MITSUBISHI MOTORS TO ENTER 2013 PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB

Two all-new MiEV Evolution II all-electric racecars to take on legendary race

TOKYO– Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will compete in the 2013 edition of the world-famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb¹ (Pikes Peak, held from June 25 to June 30) with the MiEV Evolution II all-electric prototype. With the upgraded MiEV Evolution II, MMC aims for overall first place. MMC’s team will consist of two of the new all-electric four-wheel drive (4WD) racecars.

MMC will utilise the data and technical knowhow garnered through its participation in the event in its @earth TECHNOLOGY² next-generation advanced technology R&D programme for eventual use in future production vehicles.

MMC entered the Pikes Peak competition for the first time last year with the i-MiEV Evolution all-electric prototype, finishing second in the Electric Division. Participation in the event brought a rich harvest 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.

Like last year’s i-MiEV Evolution, the MiEV Evolution II uses parts used in production vehicles combined with a high-capacity battery and high-output motors both specially designed by MMC’s suppliers. Based on experience gained from last year’s race, MMC added S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) integrated vehicle dynamics control system to a two-front/two-rear four-motor drivetrain for increased handling and control in the MiEV Evolution II. These, together with a specially-designed body that provides reduced weight and improved aerodynamics, has resulted in a significant improvement in driving dynamics.

One MiEV Evolution II 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.

In addition, Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMC’s United States subsidiary) is participating as Presenting Sponsor for this year’s race and MMC’s new Outlander − recently awarded Japan’s JNCAP Five Star Award as well as JNCAP First Prize for outstanding safety performance³ − will be this year’s “Official Safety Vehicle” for the world-famous race.

MiEV Evolution II

Information and details on MMC’s bid for success in the 2013 Pikes Peak event can be found on: http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/jp/events/ppihc/2013/index.html (Japanese) & https://www.facebook.com/iMiEV.official (English)

OVERVIEW 

1. MMC Pikes Peak Challenge 2013 Team

2. Partners (21, in alphabetical order)

Advics Co. Ltd
dSPACE Japan K.K.
Dunlop Goodyear Tires Ltd
ENDLESS ADVANCE Co. Ltd
Enkei Corporation
GKN Driveline Japan Ltd
GS Yuasa Corporation
Hitachi Automotive Systems Ltd
Kenwood U.S.A. Corporation
Linear Technology Corporation
MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
MIKUNI CORP
Mitsubishi Corporation
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Mitsubishi Motors Dealers Association
NHK SPRING Co. Ltd
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK LINE)
NTN Corporation
Real Power
Tsuchiya Co. Ltd

3. About the MiEV Evolution II

The MiEV Evolution II is an all-new all-electric racecar designed with data and knowhow gained from last year’s Pikes Peak race, based on parts from production electric vehicles including the i-MiEV. It carries an array of advanced technologies improved from last year’s i-MiEV Evolution packed into a specially-designed lightweight and aerodynamic body, including a high-capacity battery and four high-output electric motors for improved motive performance in addition to a pipe-frame chassis and a carbon cowl for reduced weight and improved aerodynamics.

Superior motive performance, handling, and stability are made possible in the MiEV Evolution II with:

• A low centre of gravity due to the battery being installed under the floor
• A two-front/two-rear four-motor 4WD drivetrain with MMC’s S-AWC integrated vehicle dynamics control system
• AYC (Active Yaw Control), which optimally controls the yaw moment to generate high cornering capability
• ASC (Active Stability Control) which improves stability by automatically controlling brake force to one or more wheels and motive power
• ABS (Anti-lock brake system)

4. Driver Profiles

1. 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: “We are able to tackle Pikes Peak a second time thanks to the support of our many partner companies. We were able to come up with a new and improved MiEV Evolution II based on the precious data and knowhow we gained from last year’s race. We welcome Greg Tracy as our teammate. With his wealth of motorsport experience, we will do our all for a one-two finish. Thank you for your continued support!”

2. Greg Tracy, professional driver

Six-time Pikes Peak overall motorcycle champion, Greg placed second overall in motorcycles in 2012. Greg brings a wealth of racing experience not only in motorcycles but four-wheeled vehicles as well and is also a stunt driver. Greg brings high racing skills in four-wheeled vehicles and knows the Pikes Peak course inside and out. Greg commented “I’m excited to compete here in the MiEV Evolution II. I will do my best, along with my teammates to make an electric vehicle the champ for the first time ever.”

ENDS

¹Held annually in Colorado, United States, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is an annual automobile and motorcycle hill climb to the 4,300 meter summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado with entrants covering an elevation difference of almost 1,500 meters. First run in 1916, the hill climb celebrates its 91st running this year making it the second oldest motor sport race in the United States after the Indianapolis 500. Also known as The Race to the Clouds, atmospheric pressure, temperature, weather and other conditions vary significantly between the start and finish and this requires optimum tuning to ensure the vehicles produce their maximum performance all the way up. www.ppihc.com/

²MMC’s tagline for a raft of next-generation advanced technologies which aim to contribute to environmental responsibility and to deliver driving pleasure as well as reassuring safety

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