THERE’S no need to look twice – yes this is a competition spec version of the 100 per cent electric LEAF.
Doing without rear doors, rear seats, a boot, audio system, navigation, and luxuries such as carpets, the LEAF NISMO RC – LEAF Racing Competition – is a fully-stripped out racer, but retains the 100 per cent zero emission, lithium-ion battery powertrain of the ‘normal’ LEAF.
The NISMO RC features a wheelbase which is 3.9-inch shorter, 0.8 inches longer, 6.7 inches wider, and the body sits a full foot lower than the production LEAF. The RC also weighs 40 per cent less than its production counterpart.
A mid-ship driving position also features, while unlike the production LEAF, the NISMO RC is rear wheel drive. The racer is also shod in Bridgestone racing tyres and, in preliminary testing, the NISMO RC produced a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 93mph. It is projected to have a running time of around 20 minutes under racing conditions.
Speaking at the New York International Auto Show, Carlos Tavares, chairman of Nissan Americas, says that the car has been built to draw attention to untapped potential of racing electric vehicles.
‘Combining the talents of NISMO, Nissan’s world renowned motorsports group, and engineers behind some of the company’s Super GT and FIA GT1 race teams, the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC will serve as a rolling laboratory for the accelerated development of EV and aerodynamic systems, as well as a platform for the development of new green motorsports series.
‘There’s a perception among some people that electric vehicles fall on the dull side of the automotive enthusiasm scale − which is certainly not the case with either the production Nissan LEAF or this electrifying Nissan LEAF NISMO RC,’ added Tavares. ‘Nissan LEAF owners are fully embracing this new world of zero emission technology. We believe the same potential exists in the motorsports world as well, with Nissan proud to be first on the starting grid.’
It’s believed the car will make a series of special demonstration appearances at various motorsports venues in 2011, with the company exploring pioneer zero emission competition spec series in future years.
