Nissan Just Turned The Leaf Into A Racing Car And It Looks Badass
Even in Nismo form, the Nissan Leaf EV isn’t a car that’s likely to thrill. But there’s clearly potential, as proven by this, the all-new Leaf Nismo RC. Effectively a follow-up to 2013’s Leaf RC, it’s a purpose-built racing car styled on the current-gen Leaf road car.
It isn’t just a silhouette racer that has nothing to do with the Leaf you can walk into any Nissan dealer to buy, however. The company says that the RC has taken “advanced battery technology and drivetrain components” from the car including the lithium-ion battery and the inverters.
It’s all-wheel drive, with a motor powering each axle. Each develops 120kW, for a maximum output of 240kW (321bhp). They’re also good for an instantaneously-delivered 640lb ft of torque. Both figures are over double that of the old RC.
Despite being weighed down by a bulky battery pack, the car tips the scales at 1220kg thanks to the use of a carbonfibre monocoque. As a result of the reasonably modest weight figure, it’ll do 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds.
Sadly, it seems there are no plans to do a Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy-style series for the Nismo RC. However, Nissan will be building six of them which will “be on display at Formula E races and major shows and events around the world.”
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
This is how the production leaf should have looked
This looks amazing. If they can pen things like this, makes you wonder why their standard cars have to look so dull.
I wouldn’t mind being seen in this