Mitsubishi Motors to Compete in the 2014 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for Third Consecutive Year

CYPRESS, Calif., June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) will compete in the Electric Modified Division of the prestigious 2014 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) with a pair of technologically-advanced MiEV Evolution III 100% electric-powered purpose-built racecars in the 92^nd running of the "Race to the Clouds" on June 29^th near Colorado Springs, Colorado.

First run in 1916, the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a treacherous 12.42-mile/156 corner road course through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado commencing at an elevation of 9,390 feet and finishing at 14,110 feet – nearly 3 miles above sea level. The Pikes Peak race is the second oldest motorsports event in the United States after the Indianapolis 500.

"Pikes Peak is an excellent laboratory for testing our advanced MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) technology," states Don Swearingen, executive vice president Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA), "it not only features high elevations but also a range of weather conditions to challenge the performance and reliability of our technology."

Last year's talented driving duo of Hiroshi Masuoka and Greg Tracy will return for this year's Mitsubishi Motors EV race team effort at winning the Electric Modified Division.

Finishing in second place in the EV Division at Pikes Peak last year, Masuoka is a former two-time Dakar Rally overall champion while Tracy – last year's third place EV Division finisher – is a six-time Pikes Peak motorcycle champion.

Building upon the innovative four electric motor drivetrain (two front/two rear) based on a modified high-output version of the production Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle motor and Mitsubishi Motors' highly acclaimed advanced Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive technology, numerous key improvements have been made to this year's MiEV Evolution III entries. These changes include:

• A significant power increase from the electric motors to 450 kW (603 bhp), up from last year's 400 kW (536 bhp)
• A redesigned tube-frame chassis with new structural materials for reduced weight
• A completely redesigned and wind tunnel-optimized front bodywork/spoiler for more downforce
• A redesign of the Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system for improved handling and traction control performance

About Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all research & development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and financial services for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells sedans and crossovers/SUVs through a network of approximately 400 dealers. MMNA is leading the way in the development of highly-efficient, affordably-priced new gasoline-powered automobiles while using its industry-leading knowledge in battery electric vehicles to develop future EV and PHEV models. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140531/92999

SOURCE Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.