Speedometer 03 04 05 Neon Exc. Srt4 Mph W/tach 1030046 on 2040-parts.com

Mitsubishi's 600bhp EV to tackle Pikes Peak

By Damion Smy Motoring Issues 03 June 2014 17:11 Mitsubishi will enter the 2014 Pikes Peak International Hillclimb – the 92nd running of the prestigious event – with its specially built electric racecar, it announced today. The team finished second and third in the electric class at the 2013 event, and will use the same drivers – former motorcycle class winner, Greg Tracy, and Dakar-rally winner Hiroshi Masuoka – for the 12.42-mile climb to the 14,110ft summit. The bewinged Mitsubishi i-MiEV Evolution III is 4.7m long and 1.9m wide, with an electric motor at each corner to send a total of 600bhp through all four wheels.

Volkswagen takes stake in Suzuki

VW takes a 19.9% stake in Suzuki We’re back on the co-operation and rationalisation path again, this time with Volkswagen and Suzuki, with the announcement that VW is to take a 19.9% stake in Suzuki, with Suzuki in turn re-investing up to half of the proceeds in to Volkswagen shares. This deal has been on the cards for some time but has obviously been pushed in to reality by the changing landscape for car manufacturers, where they seek to find a more secure future with takeovers, mergers and partnerships. Which is all very logical, even if it will inevitably lead to less choice for the car buyer in the long term.

Volkswagen and BYD get cosy

VW and BYD have signed an agreement to work together on developing battery technology (BYD F3DM plug-in Hybrid pictured). Volkswagen has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese car maker and EV specialist BYD to work together “in the area of electric mobility”. Seems sensible.