2014 Nissan ZEOD RC review and pictures
Nissan have been working on their hybrid – electric ZEOD RC race vehicle for quite a while. Now, the manufacturer decided to take the wraps off their optimized and final ZEOD RC racecar. The auto is already set to compete in the 2014 Le Mans 24 hours according to Nissan`s CEO and Chairman Carlos Ghosn announcement.
The Automobile Club de l`Ouest encouraged the ZEOD RC`s participation in the competition as an entry for racecars powered by hybrid electric innovative technology. The ZEOD RC is used as a test by the company as their future plans feature a LM P1 program designed for the development of other EV technologies. The technology used is an optimized version of the LEAF NismoRc`s technology and has to face the high expectation of being the first car to finish a full Le Mans lap (8.5 miles) running only on electric power.
The vehicle is showcased atNissan`s headquarter in Yokohama and was unveiled by Nissan Direct of Motorsport Innovation, Ben Bowlby, Nissan Motorsport Director Darren Cox and Nismo President Shoichi Miyatani. Its first public appearance will take place in the Fuji paddock during the FIA Endurance Championship: `We could not think of a better place than the Fuji round of the World Endurance Championship for the actual ZEOD RC to appear in public for the first time. We have interrupted our intense testing in the UK to fly the car to Japan for this display for the Japanese fans.`
The vehicle offers the possibility of switching between running on electric power and using the turbocharged 1.6 liter gasoline engine. The engine is mated with 5 speed transmission allowing the car to output approximately 300 HP (224 kW). The manufacturer announced a maximum speed that exceeds 300 KM/ h (185 mp).
