After already bringing affordable all-electric driving to the U.S. with the innovative Nissan Leaf, the automaker recently decided to bring that same technology to a new location: The racetrack. That's thanks to the Nissan Leaf NISMO RC, a high-performance all-electric racer that made its world premiere at the recent New York International Auto Show.
The NISMO RC starts with the same proven electric powertrain found in the production Leaf, leveraging a lithium-ion battery and a high-response 80-kW AC synchronous motor that makes 107 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque—and delivers EPA ratings of 106 mpg city/92 mpg highway/99 mpg combined. But then the team from Nissan's in-house performance and motorsports division, NISMO, went to work.
The result is a full-fledged, purpose-built race car that features:
- A three-piece, full carbon-fiber monocouqe body with fixed windows
- LED headlights and taillights
- A driver-adjustable rear wing
- A "mid-engine" design for optimum weight distribution
- Rear-wheel drive
- A double-wishbone suspension
- Driver-adjustable brake balance
- 18-inch six-spoke wheels wrapped in P225/40R18 racing tires from Bridgestone
The lightweight high performer—it weighs just over 2,000 lbs., some 40 percent less than the Leaf production vehicle—is expected to make demonstration runs at a variety of different stops on the motorsports circuit later this year. But that could be just the start for the Nissan Leaf NISMO RC.
According to Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas: “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."
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