Mitsubishi will be aiming for victory in the Electric Class with the i-MiEV Evolution, a specially-prepared competition version based on the ‘i’ electric car.

Mitsubishi will also be bringing production ‘i’ electric car that has been updated with a more aerodynamic front bumper and new safety equipment.

The i-MiEV Evolution has been developed in cooperation with several partner companies including Meidensha Corporation and GS Yuasa Corporation.

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 Mitsubishi i will be piloted by Ms. Beccy Gordon, a winner in the Score International Off-Road Racing Series.

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

Mitsubishi ‘i‘
For the Pikes Peak event the production Mitsubishi ‘i’ has been modified using a more aerodynamic front bumper and fitted with roll bars and other safety equipment.

L x W x H (mm) 3675 (+280) x 1585 (+110) x 1615 (+5)
Occupants 4
Drivetrain Rear wheel drive
Motors Number 1
Max. output (kW/rpm) 49 (+2) / 3,000 – 6,000
Drive battery Rated capacity (kWh) 16
Tyres F: 145/65/R15
R: 175/60 (+5)/R15

The M-tech Labo is a smart grid demonstration system consisting of a 20 kW photovoltaic system, 5 electrically-dischargeable electric vehicles and 80 kWh of used rechargeable batteries collected from EVs.

This demonstration project is part of the KEIHANNA Eco-City Next-Generation Energy and Social Systems Demonstration Project, one of the four smart grid initiatives authorized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate load shifting by charging at night when demand is low, storing power produced from renewable sources in rechargeable batteries, and supplying such power back to the grid when factory facilities and offices face peak demand.

MC, MMC and Mitsubishi Electric also expect that utilizing EV batteries and used rechargeable batteries, instead of expensive, dedicated batteries, will lower costs while promoting the environmental-benefits of renewable energy and EVs.

Details about the demonstration project for this fiscal year include:

- Reduction of electricity fluctuation at the Administration Building of MMC’s Nagoya Plant by utilizing electricity from M-tech Labo at a maximum power of 50kW (Target: 33% reduction of the 180kW fluctuation range).
- Validation of EIS (Electric vehicle Integration System) which aggregates data and information of available dischargeable capacity and hours of each EV while still allowing the EV to be used as a mean of transportation.

The three companies will collaborate in project implementation and application of knowledge obtained with the goal of contribution towards a more sustainable society.

The primary roles of each company are:

- MC: Study of electricity-related business utilizing of rechargeable EV batteries and used rechargeable batteries.
- MMC: Research on the effect of discharging and charging on EVs, and on the necessary information and data from EVs.
- Mitsubishi Electric: Validation of a system that can effectively utilize rechargeable EV batteries and used rechargeable batteries.

“During fiscal 2012, Mitsubishi Motors will also be adding to its lineup an electric vehicle-based Outlander model, which will use a plug-in hybrid system derived from MMC’s already existing EV technology.”

The Outlander Plug-in Hybrid will be a permanent 4WD electric vehicle, supplemented by a gasoline engine when needed – much like Chevrolet Volt.

When fitted to the all-new Outlander, the Mitsubishi plug-in hybrid system (fitted with a gasoline engine) will allow for a range and very low emissions similar to that of the Concept PX-MiEV II show car. That’s a driving distance of over 500 miles (800 km) and a CO2 target below 50 g/km.

Thanks to its unique drivetrain combination of a front electric motor with rear electric motor, plus front engine, drivers will have the choice of three driving modes to choose from.

With an EV range of 31 miles (50 km), the Outlander can run in Pure EV mode (only the front and rear electric motors), Series EV mode (where the gasoline engine assists the twin electric motors, which play a primary role in powering the car) and Parallel EV mode (where both systems work in tandem – this mode is used for higher speeds like freeway driving).

At the same time, the driver can also switch to a Battery Charge Mode while on the move, controlling use of battery power and using the engine as a generator to charge the batteries.

Mitsubishi Motors’ P-HEV system uses a newly developed dual-motor four-wheel-drive system mated to Mitsubishi’s S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control). Based on the four-wheel-drive technology developed in the Lancer Evolution, S-AWC it integrates control of the 4WD, ASC and ABS systems. Working in tandem with the Mitsubishi plug-in hybrid system, S-AWC also contributes to better fuel efficiency.

The two motors drive the front and rear axles independently. Being virtually lag-free and offering superior control, the motors ensure finer more precise control of the 4WD system. The Twin Motor 4WD system does away with the propeller shaft, hydraulic system and clutch plate used to connect the front and rear axles in conventional 4WD systems.

AeroVironment’s turnkey solution includes its UL-listed home charging station, permit acquisition, installation, customer training, 24/7 customer service and a leading three-year warranty on both parts and installation labor. With a single telephone call, EV drivers can order their charging station and schedule its installation from AeroVironment, a pioneer in the electric transportation industry for more than 20 years.

Mitsubishi Motors is waiving the $99.99 site consultation for the first 2,000 customers to pre-order the 2012 Mitsubishi i until April 19, 2012. The on-site home consultation includes an analysis of current electrical wiring capacity, recommended station placement and a full breakdown of activities and costs related to installing an electric refueling system.

AeroVironment’s Level 2 home charging station connects to a 240-volt line and is capable of recharging a fully depleted Mitsubishi i battery in approximately 7 hours. Additional AeroVironment charging solutions include a standard plug-in AC cord set (Level 1), a Level 2 connected or “smart” system for home and business use and DC fast chargers that can charge a completely empty main lithium-ion battery pack of a 2012 Mitsubishi i to 80 percent full in less than 30 minutes.

With a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $27,990 for the base ES model before a federal tax credit of $7,500 and various state financial incentives (subject to availability of funding), the Mitsubishi i is the most affordably-priced mass-produced electric vehicle available in the United States.

AeroVironment, a California-based supplier of EV charging units, has also been selected by BMW and Nissan as the preferred provider of EV charging equipment.

Making its model year 2012 debut on the American market, the Mitsubishi i earns a score of 58, the highest Green Score awarded since the rankings began in 1998.

With a combined city and highway fuel economy of 112 miles per gallon equivalent, the Mitsubishi i outpaces all other vehicles currently sold in United States.

“Even taking into account the emissions generated from the electricity used to power the i-MIEV, it still handily outscores other vehicles on the market today,” said ACEEE lead vehicle analyst Shruti Vaidyanathan.

The Honda Civic Natural Gas, despite its improved fuel economy this year, appears in second place, tied with the Nissan Leaf. Rounding out the top six are the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight, and the Smart ForTwo. This year, hybrids dominate the “Greenest” list occupying half of all spots. Highly efficient conventional gasoline vehicles also continue to have a presence on the “Greenest” list, claiming three of the top twelve spots.

This year saw the arrival of a number of new hybrid options for drivers from Hyundai, Kia, and Infiniti, but none broke into the top twelve.

By the end of March 2012, the approved dealerships will have two fully trained EV sales personnel as well as aftersales technicians.

In addition, the company has indicated it will introduce its first plug-in hybrid vehicle to the UK within 18 months.

All Mitsubishi EV Centers will have i-MiEV demonstrator vehicles for customers to try out over “a prolonged period” so they can experience driving and owning an electric for themselves.

The Japanese manufacturer launched the all-electric i-MiEV worldwide last year, while also debuting the MINICAB-MiEV, a light commercial electric van, on the Japanese market in November.

The ceremony to celebrate the delivery of the 1,000th i-MiEV was held in Oslo on December 5 in the presence of Mr. Erik Solheim, Norway’s Minister of Environment and Development.

In Norway, electric car buyers can receive substantial incentives while installation of charging infrastructure is spreading fast.

Since its launch in Norway in January 2011, the i-MiEV has maintained the top spot in total sales volume of compact (A-segment) vehicles, including gasoline vehicles. This performance is a proof that the i-MiEV is a practical vehicle that can serve the demands of Norwegian consumers.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV is powered by a full-electric AC permanent magnet synchronous motor, delivering 49 kW (66 horsepower) at 2,500 – 8,000 rpm and 180 Nm of torque from 0 to 2,000 rpm. The car has a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that recharges in 7 hours at 200 volts / 15 amps. It takes twice that long at 100 volts. The i-MiEV’s battery can also be “quick charged” at quick-charge stations which are currently being established throughout Japan. Charge with a quick-charger gun takes approximately 30 minutes for an 80% charge.

The i-MiEV’s maximum speed is 81 mph, with a range of roughly 100 miles on the Japanese test cycle, and 75 miles on the US cycle.

Depending on specifications, the Mitsubishi MINICAB-MiEV will carry a manufacturer’s recommended retail price of between 2.4 million yen and 2.971 million yen (between $31,140 and $38,550 at today’s exchange rate), before government subsidies. Including the government subsidies, the MINICAB-MiEV will start at 1.73 million yen ($22,300).

As with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the MINICAB-MiEV will be sold on a maintenance lease, credit or cash basis.

Derived from the MINICAB Van minicar-class commercial vehicle, the MINICAB-MiEV has been developed maximizing the technologies and knowhow gained from the development of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV in delivering the superior environmental performance inherent to an EV, together with the high levels of operating economy, payload capacity, drivability and reliability demanded of a commercial vehicle.

The MINICAB-MiEV will come with a choice of two sizes of drive battery to allow the customer to choose the cruising range best suited to his or her needs. The 10.5 kWh battery version provides a cruising range of 100km (62 miles), at JC08 mode, on a single charge, while the 16.0 kWh version takes this up to 150km (93 miles).

Mitsubishi Motors said it aims to sell 4,000 Minicab MiEVs by March 31. In the 12-month period starting next April it targets sales of 50,000 EVs, including the i-MiEV, Minicab-MiEV, and versions of both models built under original equipment manufacturing (OEM) deals.

The Japanese automaker has sold about 17,000 electric vehicles (EVs) globally so far, including those supplied under PSA Peugeot Citroen’s brands, since the launch of the tiny i-MiEV in mid-2009.

Commercial vehicles are usually owned longer and cover longer cumulative mileages than family cars; so the MINICAB-MiEV also offers possible advantages over a comparable gasoline-powered in terms of total operating cost, including the price of the vehicle, because the main running cost is just that of the comparatively inexpensive electricity used to charge its battery. Further, because the MINICAB-MiEV can be charged at the business or at home it eliminates the need to make separate journeys to gasoline stations.

The MINICAB MiEV shares the following components with the i-MiEV: drive battery, motor, inverter, on-board charger, air-conditioner and rear suspension.

The MINICAB MiEV uses the same 10.5 kWh and 16.0 kWh lithium-ion drive batteries as the i-MiEV, and these provide a cruising range ample for normal minicar-class commercial vehicle use.

As on the i-MiEV, the driver can use the drive selector to choose from three modes: “D,” “Eco,” and “B.” This allows him or her to choose between normal operation, lower output/energy-saving operation, and operation in which the regenerative brake bias is increased.

All models are fitted with ABS and TCL (traction control) as standard, and with a vehicle-approaching alert system which, at vehicle speeds of approximately 25 km/h (15.5 mph) or less, emits an audible warning to alert pedestrians to the approach of the vehicle.

For regular charging purposes The MINICAB-MiEV comes standard with a 200V AC (15 amp) cable that fits outdoor sockets used for EV battery charging. A 100V AC (10 amp) cable and a Quick Charging Connector are available as factory-supplied options.

The MINICAB-MiEV comes in a choice of three body colors: White Solid, Cool Silver Metallic and Titanium Grey Metallic. Exclusive decals (for the body sides and tailgate) which accent the advanced nature of EVs are available as factory-supplied options.

The high-capacity drive battery is located under the floor and the motor, inverter and other EV components are located under the cargo compartment. The result is cargo compartment space and payload capacity of 350kg with two occupants.

Mitsubishi and Suzuki are currently working on details; however plans are for initial supply to Suzuki to begin in February 2012, building up to full-scale supply in the 2012 fiscal year.

The Minicab-MiEV is the second vehicle in Mitsubishi’s electric vehicle lineup and is expected to debut by the end of 2011. Meanwhile, Suzuki will market the EVs under its brand, adding the first EV to its lineup.

Mitsubishi plans to build around 4,000 of the vehicles in the financial year to next March.

Suzuki already supplies its Solio subcompact to Mitsubishi Motors, which sells it as the Delia D:2.

The Concept PX-MiEV II is a two-motor plug-in hybrid system running on a lithium ion battery and a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine. One motor powers the front wheels, the other the rear ones.

Mitsubishi uses technology lifted from its i-MiEV (or i in the U.S.) electric city car and a conventional gasoline engine. Mitsubishi claims the Concept PX-MiEV II has a range of 800 km (496 miles) and can travel as far as 60 km (140 mpg) per liter or fuel consumed under Japan’s testing cycle, which is not comparable to the U.S. or European fuel-economy measures.

Mitsubishi says the Concept PX-MiEV II can travel as far as 50 km (31 miles) on battery power alone. The gasoline engine can be used as a generator or drive the wheels directly. The Concept PX-MiEV II uses a 2.0-liter MIVEC four-cylinder engine making 94 horsepower combined with two 80-horsepower electric motors that drive Mitsubishi’s S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) four-wheel-drive system – the same system used in the Lancer Evolution X. Mitsubishi claims the instant torque from the electric motors help it accelerate like a 3.0-liter V6 engine.

Another feature of the drivetrain is that it can operate in either series or parallel hybrid mode.

At lower speeds or when the battery is low, it can work as a series with the engine acting as a generator to recharge the battery, but not to power the wheels. At higher speeds or when the battery is topped up, it acts as a parallel hybrid, with the engine recharging the battery and moving the wheels.

Under the floorboards is a lithium ion battery with about the same capacity as the i electric vehicle that goes on sale in the United States this month. But because the PX-MiEV II is heavier and equipped with all-wheel drive, it doesn’t achieve the i’s electric-only driving distance.