High tech Nissan ZEOD RC ready for Le Mans
To prepare for their 2015 LM P1 class debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nissan has been doing extensive testing on the ZEOD RC, which will be racing in this year’s event in a few weeks.
The car’s nose cone and tub were put through crash tests to ensure that they met FIA regulations. The carbon fiber structure held up well, and the nose cone crumpled as expected to absorb energy in a head on collision.
Nissan’s ZEOD RC will be raced by three-time Japanese Super GT winner Satoshi Motoyama and two winners of the Nissan GT Academy, Lucas Ordonez and Wolfgang Reip. Other previous GT Academy winners will be racing in other Nissan racecars in the 24 hour endurance race.
This is a new hybrid electric drivetrain for Nissan, and showcases what the company can do with electric technology and advanced small displacement, turbocharged engines. The setup combines lithium ion battery packs powering electric motors and a small tubocharged 1.5 liter three-cylinder engine.
It will be housed in Garage 56, which is the additional grid slot for cars showcasing new and innovative technology. The DeltaWing design was headed by Ben Bowlby, and has been used in the past by Nissan, though this is the first time with a hybrid electric powertrain.
Nissan and Garage 56 partner ACO are hoping to use the ZEOD RC to help develop new rules for future use of electric technology at Le Mans. The goal this time is to have the car complete the first all-electric lap of the 8.5 mile track.
Sources:
http://www.jimhartenissan.com/