Zero Emissions Evo IX MIEV Produces 268-HP and 1,528 LB-FT of Torque

The 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX (ninth generation in case you were wondering) is set to go rallying later this week. While this news wouldn't be out of the ordinary, given the Lancer's winning history in rally racing, this is no ordinary Evo, and the rally event isn't an FIA sanctioned

As implied by its name, the electric motors are located inside the car's wheels, as opposed to inside the body or chassis of the car. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America)

WRC event. Instead of burning high-octane gasoline, this car runs on volts and amps. The vehicle in question is Mitsubishi's Lancer Evo IX MIEV (Mitsubishi In-Wheel Electric Vehicle) prototype, and the rally is this year's Shikoku Electric Vehicle Rally.

While electric cars have been around since the turn of the 20th century, Mitsubishi's MIEV technology breaks the mould. As implied by its name, the motors are located inside the car's wheels, as opposed to inside the body or chassis of the car. This new type of electrical motor benefits the car by taking up less space, allowing more batteries to be used, improving range and performance. Like many other electric vehicles, power is provided by a lithium-ion battery pack located inside the car. The MIEV system made its world debut this past May on the Colt EV with in-wheel motors propelling its rear wheels.

In the four months since its initial release, MIEV technology has taken one major step forward. The first-gen MIEV motor, like many other electrical motors, applied a conventional layout with the rotor (turning part) located inside the stator (the power-generating component). With the Lancer MIEV it's the other way around. The rotor surrounds the stator, making for

The rotor surrounds the stator, making for an empty doughnut-like hole in the center. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America)

an empty doughnut-like hole in the center. This new design has three major advantages over the first-gen motor: it is more compact and lighter, reducing unsprung weight and therefore energy loss; the hollow space in the center of the unit is able to house discs and calipers for braking; and the speed reducer has been removed from the motor completely.

In order to uphold the Evo's legendary performance name, which would require the new prototype to deliver performance that is equal if not better than the gasoline-powered version, each of the MIEV's motors produces 67-horsepower and a gargantuan 382 lb-ft of torque. In total, power output rivals the regular Evo at 268 total horsepower, but its 1,528 lb-ft of torque almost puts it in the same class as NHRA sanctioned top-fuel dragsters! OK, maybe not quite. Mitsubishi has yet to release any performance figures, but with more than three times the torque of the gas version available from zero rpm, this car will have a surreal amount of pull. Currently, the MIEV has a top speed of 111 mph and weighs 3,505 pounds, just 265 pounds more than the standard Evo IX.