Nissan Leaf Hits the Track

 

By: PB Editor
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The name on the back panel, just under the massive adjustable rear wing, says Nissan LEAF. The powertrain is a 100-percent zero-emission advanced Lithium-ion battery design, just like the one found in the mass-market electric vehicle. And despite its lack of rear doors, rear seat, trunk, audio system, navigation, carpeting and other amenities, there is a discernable family resemblance.

But that’s where the similarities end between the production Nissan LEAF and the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC. As indicted by the “RC”—for Racing Competition—the purpose-built electric car is truly “racing green.”
Nissan is looking at the racing world as a way to draw attention to the seemingly untapped potential of electric vehicles, according to a press release.
“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,” said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas.

The new electric race vehicle is set to make a series of special demonstration appearances at various motorsports venues in 2011, with the company exploring pioneering a zero-emission competition spec series in future years, according to the release.

The Nissan LEAF NISMO RC is designed and constructed as a real racing machine, starting with its full carbon fiber monocoque bodywork. The three-piece bodywork includes removable front and rear sections, fixed windows, LED headlights and taillights and adjustable rear wing.

Building on the exterior styling of the production Nissan LEAF, the two-door race version was created by Nissan Global Design Center in Japan. Special four-coat Pearl White paint with blue NISMO/Zero Emission graphics completes the exterior.

Dimensionally, the race car features a 3.9-inch shorter wheelbase, is 0.8 inches longer and 6.7 inches wider. The most dramatic difference is height, with the NISMO RC sitting more than a foot (13.8 inches) lower than the production Nissan LEAF.

Ground clearance is limited to 2.4 inches, compared to 6.3 inches for the road car. And, at 2,068 pounds, the race car weighs about 40 percent less than the production vehicle.

The layout of the NISMO RC is also markedly different from the production sedan, offering a mid-ship location for the battery pack, electric motor and inverter—with drive to the rear wheels versus the production Nissan LEAF’s front-wheel drive. The NISMO RC also utilizes a double-wishbone suspension design front and rear, and driver-adjustable brake balance.It rides on 18-inch, six-spoke wheels and P225/40R18 Bridgestone racing tires.

Like the production Nissan LEAF, the NISMO RC is powered by a lithium-ion battery composed of 48 compact modules and a high-response 80kW AC synchronous motor that generates 107 hp and 207 foot-pounds of torque. It can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity in 30 minutes using the quick charging port located inside the rear cowl.

It has no tailpipe, no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse gases while being driven, and no exhaust sound.

In preliminary testing the NISMO RC produces 0-to-62-mph acceleration in 6.85 seconds and a top speed of 93 mph. It is projected to have a running time of around 20 minutes under racing conditions.

“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.”

source : http://performancebiz.com/news/nissan-leaf-hits-track