Mitsubishi unveils new all-electric E-Evolution, says it’s ‘beginning of the next chapter’

With the Tokyo Motor Show today, we are starting to see a lot of new electric concept cars and Mitsubishi’s new all-electric E-Evolution is no exception.

Yet, the Japanese automaker is trying to present it as more than just a concept. Mitsubishi is also launching a renewed brand strategy and tries to place its new electric vehicle concept at the center of it.

Mitsubishi describes the E-Evolution as an “all-electric high-performance SUV embodies its new brand strategy under the new “Drive your Ambition” global tagline.”

The automaker ran into a lot of difficulties over the past decade and it ended up shutting down European and American production. Their troubles were aggravated by their involvement in the Dieselgate scandal, but Nissan partly bought the company last year and aims to revitalize its brand.

The Renault-Nissan alliance recently included them in their plan to launch 12 new all-electric vehicles within the next 5 years.

It looks like this new brand strategy is part of that change and the E-Evolution could give us an idea of the upcoming new electric vehicles they plan to bring to market.

Mitsubishi’s Head of Global Design, Tsunehiro Kunimoto, describes the E-Evolution as “robust and ingenious”, which is the company’s new design philosophy:

“”We aim to provide vehicles that fulfill our customers’ desires through outstanding design, combined with the power, authenticity and carefully-considered functionality Mitsubishi Motors is known for,”

The vehicle features quite an aggressive front-end with large air intakes located beneath the headlamps, which Mitsubishi says are used to cool the electric brake calipers.

The Japanese automaker didn’t reveal any performance spec for the vehicle, but it described some of the technologies behind it.

It is powered by a dual electric motor all-wheel-drive powertrain and a “high-capacity” battery pack.

The technologies of the MITSUBISHI e-EVOLUTION CONCEPT

• EV system: The MITSUBISHI e-EVOLUTION CONCEPT uses high-torque, high-performance electric motors, fed by a high-capacity battery system to deliver the smooth and powerfully responsive performance that distinguishes EVs from ICE-powered vehicles. The drive battery is located under the floor mid-ship of the vehicle, providing a low center of gravity for the utmost driving stability.
• 4WD system: For exceptional driving performance, the triple motor 4WD system employs a single motor to drive the front wheels, complemented by a new Dual Motor Active Yaw Control (AYC) system that couples two rear motors through an electronically controlled torque-vectoring AYC unit. All of this is integrated into MMC’s unique Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamic control system. Cornering performance and traction performance are improved. The brakes of the MITSUBISHI e-EVOLUTION CONCEPT responsively and precisely control the driving forces with the help of electric calipers that supersede the conventional hydraulic caliper. The effects of the system can be felt and appreciated immediately, even at low speeds when G-forces are low. Whether driving around town, on expressways, or winding roads, the fully electric vehicle always provides crisp and nimble handling that faithfully mirrors driver intent.
• AI system: The brain of the MITSUBISHI e-EVOLUTION CONCEPT is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system that augments the driver’s capabilities. An array of sensors allows the AI system to instantly read changes in road and traffic conditions, as well as the driver’s intent. Seamlessly coordinating driver intent with vehicle performance, the system supports drivers of all abilities. By making it easier and safer to control the vehicle, the motoring experience is brought to a new level. A special coaching function allows the AI system to transfer knowledge to the driver, and to unobtrusively enhance the driving expertise. After building a picture of the driver’s skill level, the system constructs a training program that provides advice through voice dialogue and a large dashboard display. As a result, drivers of all abilities quickly experience a vehicle that behaves the way they want it, and soon they find themselves enjoying the driving experience to an even greater degree.