Imagine for a moment the 14,110-foot climb up Pikes Peak. Now imagine the Mitsubishi i-MiEV ascending that mountain. Not quite the picture you'd normally piece together, right? Skyline Mitsubishi agrees completely. Usually, we like to think of the innovative Mitsubishi EV as supplying city-dwellers with eco-friendly mobility rather than taking adventure-lovers on off-road terrain. But perhaps we should all get used to the idea...because it's going to become a reality.
This summer, the automaker will enter a completely reworked Mitsubishi i-MiEV into the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Of course, this won't be the same exact EV model that's expected to arrive on our lot at 2040 W. 104th Ave. Thornton, CO 80234. The Pikes Peak i-MiEV Prototype features the same EV components as its production-ready sibling but wears a completely redone exterior. Built to tackle whatever terrain it encounters, the reworked variant looks something like a one-seat race car and rids itself of the classic Mitsubishi i-MiEV bean shape.
While the Mitsubishi model is certain to grab a great deal of attention for its courageous feat, the automaker has additional motivations in mind. Mitsubishi engineers along with EV gurus from partner companies will make their way to the event with the intention of gathering feedback in regards to how the i-MiEV performs. The team will also collaborate and share ideas with the purpose of furthering the automaker's future EV offerings.
If you're anything like Skyline Mitsubishi, you're probably wondering how you can finagle your way into experiencing the Pikes Peak event yourself. The good news is that no matter whether you happen to catch a glimpse of the reworked Mitsubishi i-MiEV or not, you can be sure that we'll gather up all the important details for you. Come July, simply check in with our Mitsubishi blog or stop by in person. In the meantime, don't hesitate to peruse our selection of new Mitsubishi models as well.