Nissan has taken the wraps off its entry for the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours. exposed in the paddock of this year’s event (which begins on 22 June), the ZEOD RC develops on the company’s experience with the radical DeltaWing idea in 2012 as well as integrates advanced electric drivetrain technology.
The ZEOD RC will run at Le Mans in ‘Garage 56’ – a special entry slot reserved by the race organisers for cars and trucks that do not conform to existing classes however showcase ingenious automotive technology. ZEOD means Zero discharge On Demand, as well as although the car’s precise drivetrain design has not been finalised, it’s expected to have the ability to switch between electric as well as internal-combustion power at the driver’s request.
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The cars and truck was designed by Ben Bowlby – the guy behind the Nissan-engined DeltaWing that raced at Le Mans last year – as well as integrates lithium battery innovation similar to that discovered in the company’s leaf electric road car. “A cars and truck such as this provides an incredibly difficult test bed of what might be extremely efficient choices for road cars and trucks of the future,” stated Bowlby. “Throughout the next 12 months, we’ll be testing several drivetrains in an extensive test programme.”
Nissan executive Vice president Andy Palmer said: “The ZEOD RC is a natural progression from the advancement of the leaf road cars and truck as well as the leaf RC race cars and truck prototype. The technologies established with this programme will type part of future innovations for Nissan road cars. We’re eagerly awaiting the chance to showcase the lessons learnt with the advancement of battery innovation in the world’s oldest, most difficult as well as most high profile endurance race.”
The ZEOD RC is set to begin testing later in the summer. Nissan states the cars and truck is a precursor to a full-on assault on Le Mans’ top LMP1 class at some point in the future, where it would go toe-to-toe with manufacturers such as Audi, Toyota as well as Porsche.