Mitsubishi MiEV Evolution

Last updated
Mitsubishi MiEV Evolution
Mitsubishi 2014 MiEV Evolution III Team Badge.png
2014 Mitsubishi MiEV Evolution III Team Badge
Overview
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors
Also calledMiEV Evolution III
Production2014
Body and chassis
Class Sports car (S)

The Mitsubishi MiEV Evolution (with 'MiEV' an abbreviation of 'Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle') is an electric motor racing car project, managed by Mitsubishi Motors. The project originated prior to 2012, producing a vehicle that entered in the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) event, and has undergone evolution and technical improvements in subsequent years. The 2014 version (MiEV Evolution III) achieved 2nd and 3rd position overall in the 2014 PPIHC event, with run times within 3 seconds and 7 seconds (respectively) of the overall fastest vehicle, a gasoline-powered Norma race car. [1]

Contents

History

Mitsubishi Motor Company (MMC) formed the MiEV Evolution project in the run up to the 2012 race season. There were 2 stated aims; to promote the consumer i-MiEV electric car (which began to sell in North American markets in late 2011), and to participate in the PPIHC as a competitive event which has a long-standing tradition of experimental motor sports and is therefore a potentially suitable venue to test and improve the technologies of electric motor sports vehicles. [2] Being a high altitude event (with the finish line around 14,000 feet), with diminishing oxygen levels in the upper stages which affects the efficiency of internal combustion engines, the Pikes Peak race venue is particularly favourable for electric power-train vehicles.

Technology

For the initial 2012 PPIHC race, the team took existing powertrain components from the iMiEV production car, using 3 of the car's standard electric motors, retuned to rev to 11,000rpm and each producing a maximum of 107 bhp and 148 lb ft of torque [3] for a total of 322 bhp and 443 lb ft of torque. One motor powered the front wheels, and the remaining two were harnessed in parallel to drive the rear wheels. The vehicle carries 35KWH of batteries and has a total weight (with driver) of 1400 kg - considerably more than its gasoline-powered competitors. The car's acceleration creates a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, [4] and it has sufficient handling to achieve up to 1.3 lateral G in cornering. [5] The top speed is 115 mph.

For the 2013 season, the team prepared a new vehicle, known as the MiEV Evolution II. With more time in hand, the team was able to implement more sophisticated drive control, allowing power to be directed to each wheel independently (instant torque vectoring), [6] improving traction and handling. Total power was increased to 536 bhp and 885 lb ft of torque. [6] [7] The onboard energy storage was increased to 50KWH, and top speed increased to at least 140 mph. [7] [8] The design also featured improved aerodynamics, reduced weight, a lower centre of gravity due to repositioning the batteries, active yaw control, active stability control and a redesigned anti-lock braking system. The vehicle rides on Dunlop 260/660-18 tyres, [9] and overall dimensions are Length x Width x Height (mm) - 4,870 x 1,900 x 1,390.

For the 2014 season, the team produced the MiEV Evolution III. Power was further increased, to 604 bhp, [10] and the gearing ratio changed to improve acceleration out of corners. [11] The battery remained at 50KWH, and redesign and use of different materials further reduced chassis weight. Wind tunnel work led to further downforce and aero-dynamic improvements, and the all-wheel traction control system was improved. The vehicle rides on wider Dunlop 330/680-18 tyres, and dimensions are Length x Width x Height 5,190mm×2,000mm×1,485mm, an increase over previous years. Without providing detailed data on the overall vehicle weight, Mitsubishi has confirmed [11] that the MiEV Evolution III is lighter than the previous generations, i.e. under 1400 kg. [12] For comparison, the 2013 winning unlimited class vehicle (Loeb's Peugeot) was 875 kg (with 875 bhp). Official technical details about the vehicles can be found via Mitsubishi's news website. [13]

Results

In the initial year of the project, 2012, with driver Hiroshi Masuoka, the team achieved a time of 10 minutes 30.850 seconds, placing 2nd in the electric vehicle class, some 15 seconds behind Toyota Motorsport's TMG EVP002 driven by Furnio Nutahara (10 minutes 15.380 seconds).

In the 2013 PPIHC event the team's MiEV Evolution II vehicles were driven by Hiroshi Masuoka and Greg Tracy and achieved times of 10:21.866 and 10:23.649 respectively, improving over the previous year despite encountering poor weather conditions. This put them around 35 seconds slower than the lead electric vehicle of Nobuhiro Tajima (09:46.530).

In the 2014 PPIHC event the team entered two MiEV Evolution III vehicles, again driven by Greg Tracy and Hiroshi Masuoka. Tracy placed 2nd overall, with a time of 9 minutes 8.188 seconds, fractionally behind the overall winning time of 9 minutes 5.801 seconds of Romain Dumas in the 2013 Norma. Masuoka placed 3rd overall with a time of 9 minutes 12.204 seconds. [14] The team thus placed 1st and 2nd in the PPIHC Electric Modified class, breaking by 38 seconds the previous class record of 9 minutes 46.530 seconds which had been set by Nobuhiro Tajima in his E-RUNNER Pikes Peak Special in 2013. Tajima had a more modest improvement in 2014, finishing in 9 minutes 43.900 seconds in his Monster Sport vehicle. Tajima's team cited hotter than anticipated race conditions as partly responsible for the modest result, with the vehicle's onboard protection systems reducing power output to protect against overheating. [15]

Future

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race timings for Gasoline vs. Electric powertrains.png

In the context of the PPIHC event, the results of recent years show that the relative improvements in race time are advancing at different rates in the electric vehicle class compared to the unlimited vehicle class (which typically uses internal combustion engine powertrains).

The unlimited class vehicles broke the 16 minute barrier in 1938, and have steadily improved over the subsequent decades, breaking the 10-minute barrier in 2011. [16] Meanwhile, the electric vehicle class broke the 16 minute barrier in 1994, and the 10-minute barrier in 2013. [16] The graph to the right shows the relative rates of improvement of the two classes since the 1980s.

Because the electric vehicle class continued to attract entrants like the MiEV Evolution team, and associated technology investment (in batteries, motors and control systems), this class did produce an outright winner in 2015, and may dominate thereafter. The weakest link for performance racing applications as of 2014 is typically the energy to weight ratio (WH/kg) of battery technology compared to gasoline. However, the technology is continuously improving in this respect.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution</span> Motor vehicle by Mitsubishi Motors

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, popularly referred to as the 'Evo', is a sports sedan and rally car based on the Lancer that was manufactured by Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors from 1992 until 2016. There have been ten official versions to date, and the designation of each model is most commonly a Roman numeral. All generations use two-litre intercooled turbo inline four-cylinder engines and all-wheel drive systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitsubishi Colt</span> Motor vehicle

The Mitsubishi Colt is a nameplate from Mitsubishi Motors that has been applied to a number of automobiles since 1962. It was first introduced with a series of kei and subcompact cars in the 1960s, and then for the export version of the subcompact Mirage between 1978 and 2002. Chrysler, Mitsubishi's longtime partner, also used the name when applying its long-running practice of rebadging Mitsubishi vehicles as the Dodge and Plymouth Colt captive imports for the North American market between 1970 and 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai Scoupe</span> Motor vehicle

The Hyundai Scoupe, also called the Hyundai S-Coupe, is a 2-door coupé based on the contemporaneous Hyundai Excel. The name, a portmanteau of "sporty" and "coupe," was pronounced "scoop".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pikes Peak International Hill Climb</span> Motorsport hillclimb race in Pikes Peak, United States

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), also known as The Race to the Clouds, is an annual automobile hillclimb to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado, USA. The track measures 12.42 miles (19.99 km) and has over 156 turns, climbing 4,720 ft (1,440 m) from the start at Mile 7 on Pikes Peak Highway, to the finish at 14,115 ft (4,302 m), on grades averaging 7.2%. It used to consist of both gravel and paved sections, but as of August 2011, the highway is fully paved; as a result, all subsequent events will be run on asphalt from start to finish.

Stephanie Reaves is an American professional race driver. She was the first woman in history to earn an AMA professional motorcycle drag racing license, qualify at a NHRA national event and also became the first ever woman factory race driver for General Motors. Reaves competed in the Pikes Peak International race in 2000 and finished in third place. She has broken several world records in various racing venues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitsubishi Minicab</span> Motor vehicle

The Mitsubishi Minicab is a kei truck and microvan, built and sold in Japan by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors since 1966. In Japan, it was sold at a specific retail chain called Galant Shop. It was also sold by China Motor Corporation (CMC) in Taiwan as the CMC Veryca, starting in 1985. A battery electric model of the Minicab, called the Minicab MiEV, is sold in the Japanese market since December 2011.

MIEV (Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle) or MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) is the name given by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) to its alternative propulsion technologies. From late 2006, “MiEV” encompasses all of Mitsubishi Motors’s electric drive systems work, including lithium-ion batteries, in-wheel motors and other technologies related to electric vehicle (EV), hybrid-electric vehicle and fuel-cell vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric motorcycles and scooters</span> Plug-in electric vehicles with two or three wheels

Electric motorcycles and scooters are plug-in electric vehicles with two or three wheels. Power is supplied by a rechargeable battery that drives one or more electric motors. Electric scooters are distinguished from motorcycles by having a step-through frame, instead of being straddled. Electric bicycles are similar vehicles, distinguished by retaining the ability to be propelled by the rider pedaling in addition to battery propulsion.

Nobuhiro Tajima, nicknamed "Monster", is a hillclimb racer, tuning shop owner, rally team manager and former rally driver who is best known for his participation in Suzuki's rallying program as well as his triumphs at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb in USA and Silverstone Race to the Sky in NZ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Millen</span> New Zealand rally and racing driver (born 1951)

Rodney Kenneth Millen is a New Zealand racing driver, vehicle designer, and business owner. He has competed in numerous genres of motorsports, including rallying, off-road racing, hillclimbing, drifting, and super touring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitsubishi i-MiEV</span> Five-door hatchback electric city car

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is a five-door hatchback electric car produced in the 2010s by Mitsubishi Motors, and is the electric version of the Mitsubishi i. Rebadged variants of the i-MiEV are also sold by PSA as the Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero, mainly in Europe. The i-MiEV was the world's first modern highway-capable mass production electric car.

The Ford Transit Supervans are a series of promotional vehicles built by Ford UK. They combine the outline and appearance of the popular Ford Transit van with the chassis and performance of a sports racing car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citroën C-Zero</span> French car model

The Citroën C-ZERO is a supermini/city car produced by Citroën and is 100% electric powered. It was developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC). Its sister was marketed by Peugeot as the Peugeot iOn. The changes between the cars are the different exterior and interior styling and the price. The C-Zero was sold until 2020, when it was replaced by the Ami.

Rimac Automobili is a Croatian automotive manufacturer headquartered in Sveta Nedelja, Croatia, that develops and produces electric sports cars, drivetrains and battery systems. The company was founded in 2009 by Mate Rimac. Rimac Automobili's first model, the Concept One, was the world's fastest production electric vehicle. While manufacturing and marketing high-performance vehicles under its own brand, Rimac also develops and produces battery packs, drivetrain systems, and vehicles for other companies. During the 88th Geneva International Motor Show in March 2018, the company unveiled its second model, the Rimac Nevera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rimac Concept One</span> Motor vehicle

The Rimac Concept One, sometimes stylized as Concept_One, is a two-seat high-performance electric car designed and manufactured in Croatia by Rimac Automobili. With a total output of 913 kW and an acceleration time from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 2.5 seconds, the Rimac Concept One was claimed to be the world's fastest accelerating electric vehicle in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romain Dumas</span> French racing driver (born 1977)

Romain Dumas is a French racing driver and driver for Glickenhaus in the World Endurance Championship. He first started out in karting and single-seater before becoming an expert driver in endurance racing, GT and sport-prototype. He has won the greatest races of the discipline, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Spa, the 24 Hours Nürburgring, and the 2008 12 Hours of Sebring. He has been one of Porsche’s factory drivers since 2004.

Drive eO is an engineering company which operates from Latvia and specializes in development of electric and hybrid electric prototype vehicles for demanding applications. It was founded in 2011 to create the first ever hybrid electric rally car OSCar eO for the 2012 Dakar Rally. Driven by Māris Saukāns and Andris Dambis, it successfully completed the rally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric motorsport</span> Category of motor sport

Electric motorsport is a category of motor sport that consists of the racing of electric powered vehicles for competition, either in all-electric series, or in open-series against vehicles with different powertrains. Very early in the history of automobiles, electric cars held several performance records over internal combustion engine cars, such as land speed records, but fell behind in performance during the first decade of the 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tata Tiago</span> City car made by Tata Motors

The Tata Tiago is a 5-door hatchback city car made by Tata Motors in India since 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen I.D. R</span> Electric race car

The Volkswagen I.D. R also known as Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak, is a prototype fully electric vehicle designed as part of Volkswagen's I.D. Project, and included within Volkswagen's R series of cars designed specifically for competing in motorsport events. It is the first electric racing car designed by Volkswagen.

References

  1. ↑ North Country Timing & Scoring and Live Timing (28 June 2015). "93rd running Pikes Peak Intl Hill Climb" . Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "Mitsubishi Motors Pikes Peak Challenge 2012". Mitsubishi Motors.
  3. ↑ Autocar (2016). "Mitsubishi i-MIEV Evolution Design and Styling" . Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  4. ↑ "Mitsubishi i-MIEV Evolution Performance". Autocar.
  5. ↑ "Mitsubishi i-MIEV Evolution Ride". Autocar.
  6. 1 2 "How Electric Vehicles Are Hitting The Race Track". Popular Science.
  7. 1 2 "2013 Mitsubishi i-MiEV Evolution All-Electric Prototype". Topspeed.
  8. ↑ "Mitsubishi heads to Pikes Peak with MiEV Evolution II". Road and Track.
  9. ↑ "Mitsubishi Motors to Enter a Pair of All-New MiEV Evolution II All-Electric Racecars in 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC)". Mitsubishi Motors.
  10. ↑ "Mitsubishi Enter Two MiEV Evolution III Racecars for 2014 Pikes Peak". lecar.
  11. 1 2 "2014 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Press Kit". Mitsubishi Motors.
  12. ↑ "Mitsubishi Motors Pikes Peak Challenge 2014". Mitsubishi Motors.
  13. ↑ "The 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Final Edition: Limited-production model bids farewell to legendary sports sedan". Mitsubishi Motors.
  14. ↑ "93rd running Pikes Peak Intl Hill Climb, Sunday June 28 2015 - Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb". Livetiming.
  15. ↑ "2014 Pikes Peak Intl. Hill Climb, June 29 - Race Finals". Paddock Talk.
  16. 1 2 "Race Winners by Year". Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Archived from the original on 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2014-06-30.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.