The one-off car uses the same electric drivetrain as the standard car, and will be driven by 21-time Dakar Rally entrant Hiroshi Masuoka, who won the endurance event in 2002 and 2003 in Pajero and Pajero Evolution models.

Pikes Peak is one of the oldest motorsport venues in America, with events held at the site since 1916. Cars and motorcycles are timed in a climb to the 4,300 metre summit of the Colorado mountain, covering a difference in elevation of almost 1,500 metres.

For MMC, it’s an opportunity to test the effects of rapidly changing atmospheric pressure, temperature and weather conditions while under load. The carmaker will send engineers from its development division, plus partner manufacturers of EV components, to share the information on how to make the technology more durable.