MIEV — a proposal for next-generation
electric vehicles that utilizes to maximum effect the environmental
technology Mitsubishi Motors has developed over the years.
The offspring of a marriage between such environmental technology
and Mitsubishi Motors' sporty characteristics, Lancer Evolution
MIEV delivers a totally new experience in driving pleasure.
Lancer Evolution MIEV derives from the Lancer Evolution IX.
Utilizing the advantages offered by the electric powertrain
to craft smooth and slippery, low-drag body lines, the styling
imparts an aggressive wind-cleaving look to the body. Riding
on large wheels and tires, Lancer Evolution MIEV projects a
tempting taste of its potent new-age sport driving potential.
The wheels are driven by four outer-rotor
in-wheel motors. Requiring no speed reducer, these high-efficiency
direct drive motors fit neatly into the 20-inch wheels. Each
in-wheel motor produces 50 kW of power and 518 Nm torque.
With a motor in each wheel, this brings maximum output up
to 200 kW (270 PS). And because this drive system allows
precise regulation of power at each individual wheel, it
opens the door to creating a vehicle dynamics control system
in its ultimate evolutionary form — one that could
be dubbed Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC).
The in-wheel motors and the lithium-ion battery system, which
is located under the floor to reduce the center of gravity,
accelerate Lancer Evolution MIEV from 0 km/h to 100 km/h in
less than 8 seconds and up to a maximum speed of 180 km/h.
This is a level of motive performance that leaves today's EV's
standing.
- In-wheel motor
The foremost feature of the in-wheel motor is that it allows drive torque
and braking force to be regulated with high precision on an individual
wheel basis without requiring transmission, drive shafts, differential
gears or other complex and heavy components. Housing the drive system in
the wheels also gives greater freedom in designing the layout. This will
facilitate the conversion of internal combustion engine-powered vehicles
into hybrid vehicles without requiring the introduction of complex hybrid
power systems. It will also make it easier to provide room for space-consuming
components such as fuel cell stacks and hydrogen tanks in fuel cell vehicles.
The space-saving benefits of the in-wheel motor also offer exciting possibilities
in terms of body design.
- Lithium-ion battery
The major shortcoming of the EV to date has been its limited cruising range.
This is now well on the way to being overcome with recent improvements
in battery performance. MIEV uses a lithium-ion storage cell for its
main power source, this offers advantages in terms of energy density
and life over other types of secondary or rechargeable battery.
1 |
S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control): The ultimate 4WD-based
vehicle dynamics control system, providing integrated
and unified control of torque, braking, steering and
suspension. |
2 |
MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic
Control): Mitsubishi Motors variable valve timing technology. |
3 |
ACD (Active Center Differential): The ACD incorporates
an electronically controlled hydraulic multi-plate clutch.
An ECU optimizes clutch cover clamp load for different
driving conditions, regulating the differential limiting
action between free and locked states. The result is
improved steering response together with better traction.
ACD provides three modes — Tarmac / Gravel / Snow — to
enable quicker control response for changes in road surface.
A single ECU provides integrated management of both ACD
and Super AYC components. |
4 |
Super AYC (Active Yaw Control): Mitsubishi's Active
Yaw Control system uses a torque-transfer mechanism in
the rear differential. Under ECU control, the system
operates to raise cornering performance by transferring
torque between the rear wheels as dictated by driving
conditions and so control the yaw moment acting on the
car body. In an evolutionary step, switching from the
use of a bevel to a planetary gear differential gave
Super AYC the ability to transfer almost twice the torque
between the rear wheels. As well as reducing understeer
further, it delivers LSD-level traction. The use of a
single ECU to integrally manage Super AYC with the ACD
results in a synergism that makes both components operate
more effectively than if they were under independent
control. |
5 |
Rib Bone Frame: A ring-structure frame resembling
rib bones that is efficient in increasing body strength
and stiffness. |
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