Nissan Chairman and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, announced that the all electric Nissan ZEOD RC will compete in the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours. The Nissan ZEOD RC (Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car) is capable of over 300 km/h or over 186 mph. With an external design similar to the radical Nissan Delta Wing racing car, the Nissan ZEOD RC will enter the 2014 Le Mans under a special provision for prototype vehicles.
The Nissan ZEOD RC racing car uses similar technology used in the Nissan Leaf.
“Nissan is already a global leader in the sale of all-electric cars and we’re eagerly awaiting the opportunity to showcase the lessons learnt with the development of battery technology in the world’s oldest, toughest and most high profile endurance race.
“The ZEOD RC program is designed to develop multiple technologies to evaluate how they could be used for a future LM P1 class return of Nissan at the Le Mans 24 Hour. There are multiple options we are investigating. A Zero Emission on Demand option where the driver can switch between electric and petrol-powered drive is a future direction for road cars, so that will be tested in addition to pure electric power and other new technologies that we still have under development.
“As no other manufacturer is using electric battery technology in endurance racing today, Nissan is innovating again and this will provide us with significant amounts of data and information to evaluate potential powertrains for future sportscar programs and allow us to continue as the leader in Zero Emissions technology on the road.
“The ZEOD RC program is designed to develop multiple technologies to evaluate how they could be used for a future LM P1 class return of Nissan at the Le Mans 24 Hour. There are multiple options we are investigating. A Zero Emission on Demand option where the driver can switch between electric and petrol-powered drive is a future direction for road cars, so that will be tested in addition to pure electric power and other new technologies that we still have under development.” – – Nissan Press
The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) is allowing the Nissan ZEOD RC compete under the ACO’s special “Garage 56” entry which allows vehicles to race that are showcasing technological innovations. No word on performance specifications of any kind. Power, torque, weight, output and range are secret for now.
The Nissan ZEOD RC will begin testing later this summer.
Check out this fun video of the 2013 Pikes Peak practice including some electric cars and lots of Sebastian Loeb!
I love the look of the delta wing – I hope they have a chance to show its potential.
