With a wheel providing thrust at each corner, this particular Lancer is significantly different than any production-series vehicle. Mitsubishi has gutted the standard turbo-four powerplant, including its gearbox, differentials, fuel tank and other driveline components. The lithium-ion battery pack used to power the car doesn't intrude into the cabin either,
as everything fits in the space which the other drivetrain components previously occupied.
As exciting as the EVO IX MIEV is, Mitsubishi isn't about to rest on its highly charged laurels. Constant improvement is part of the program, with close focus on optimizing the car's all-wheel drive factor. Mitsubishi's engineers are currently working on a program to individually distribute and adjust power to each of the car's wheels to mimic the fearsome grip and handling characteristics of regular Evos.
The previous design of the MEIV motor could only be used on the rear wheels due to conflicts with the steering system, one reason why the standard front-driven Colt was RWD. However, with this new kind of motor on board, and in use up front, the first four-wheel drive electric vehicle of its type is ready for action.
The Shikoku EV Rally is an annual event staged by scientists at the Shikoku University in Japan, which has been taking place since 1998. The main goal of the rally is to promote and educate the public about electric
vehicles, and to give manufacturers a chance to do real-world tests on actual roads in Japan. This event will be important to Mitsubishi, giving its R&D team critical information on how the MIEV system reacts to the elements and constant use. Since the event started, Mitsubishi has become a regular participant, having entered models such as the Japanese-market FTO-EV, based on the Celica-sized FTO sports coupe, as well an EV-powered Eclipse.
Mitsubishi plans to development of the MIEV electric motor system, which it claims can be used for many different applications. While the Colt MIEV and Lancer Evo MIEV are purely electric, the system could be practically applied to next-generation hybrid vehicles, reducing the amount of product-specific or proprietary components, as well as in future fuel-cell vehicles. With core technologies relating to the innovative MIEV system already developed, Mitsubishi hopes to have some sort of vehicle powered by the systems brought to market by 2010.
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| As exciting as the EVO IX MIEV is, Mitsubishi isn't about to rest on its highly charged laurels. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America) |
As exciting as the EVO IX MIEV is, Mitsubishi isn't about to rest on its highly charged laurels. Constant improvement is part of the program, with close focus on optimizing the car's all-wheel drive factor. Mitsubishi's engineers are currently working on a program to individually distribute and adjust power to each of the car's wheels to mimic the fearsome grip and handling characteristics of regular Evos.
The previous design of the MEIV motor could only be used on the rear wheels due to conflicts with the steering system, one reason why the standard front-driven Colt was RWD. However, with this new kind of motor on board, and in use up front, the first four-wheel drive electric vehicle of its type is ready for action.
The Shikoku EV Rally is an annual event staged by scientists at the Shikoku University in Japan, which has been taking place since 1998. The main goal of the rally is to promote and educate the public about electric
 |
| With core technologies relating to the innovative MIEV system already developed, Mitsubishi hopes to have some sort of vehicle powered by the systems brought to market by 2010. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America) |
Mitsubishi plans to development of the MIEV electric motor system, which it claims can be used for many different applications. While the Colt MIEV and Lancer Evo MIEV are purely electric, the system could be practically applied to next-generation hybrid vehicles, reducing the amount of product-specific or proprietary components, as well as in future fuel-cell vehicles. With core technologies relating to the innovative MIEV system already developed, Mitsubishi hopes to have some sort of vehicle powered by the systems brought to market by 2010.
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