Mitsu Evo goes electric

Battery-powered car features 382lb-ft of torque

By PH Staff / Thursday, 25 August 2005 / Loading comments

Electrified performance

Some people have called the performance of the Mitsubishi Evo electrifying. Well, now they have a point, as this weekend, an electricity-powered version goes rallying, according to a story in Autocar.

In place of its standard turbocharged 2-litre engine, the Lancer Evolution MIEV carries lithium-ion batteries to power four in-wheel electric motors, with each wheel being independently driven.

According to Mitsubishi, the motors' configuration distinguishes this Evo from other electric cars and allow it to retain the distinctive four-wheel drive. It's a more compact design, with the rotor outside the stator, which leaves room for brake discs and calipers. It also allows the motors to be fitted to the front wheels as a conventional design would have fouled the steering gear. Mitsubishi said it is examining how to create a sophisticated traction control system by controlling power and torque independently at each wheel.

What's more, output is up as a result. Each motor produces 382lb-ft -- pretty hefty -- but power falls to a less-than-mighty 67bhp. The car also loses weight because it doesn't need an engine, transmission, axles, differentials or a fuel tank. Instead, it carries around a pile of lithium-ion batteries and a pair of invertors, which between them mean the MIEV weighs only 120Kg more than a standard Evo XI.

In performance terms, it's not much to write home about: the MIEV has a top speed of 111mph, although the company reckoned that it can improve performance and cut the weight.

The car is to debut this weekend in Japan at the Shikoku Electric Vehicle rally, an annual event for promoting electric vehicle technology on 27-28 August.