Nissan Releases Leaf Nismo RC Shakedown Video

The Japanese engineers behind the Leaf RC racer have released a new video, showing the car out on the track for a little shakedown action, at Sodegaura Forest Raceway on May 13. With it blacked-out carbon fiber, low slung aerodynamic body, the car looks potent enough to take on the petrols.

While the Nismo RC does not actually use the same body as the regular Leaf, being both longer and wider than the street-going, the drivetrain has been kept, though it’s worth telling you that everything is now closer to the driver for optimal weight distribution.

"Combining the talents of NISMO, Nissan's world renowned motorsports group, and engineers behind some of the company's Super GT and FIA GT1 race teams, the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC will serve as a rolling laboratory for the accelerated development of EV and aerodynamic systems, as well as a platform for the development of new green motorsports series," said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas.

As indicted by the "RC" – for Racing Competition – this new electric vehicle, which made its world debut at the 2011 New York International Auto Show on April 20th, is purpose-built to bring new meaning to the term "Racing Green."

The Nismo RS packs 107 horsepower and is juiced by a lithium-ion pack that can reach an 80 percent charge state in just 30 minutes. That might not sound like much, but it’s also some 40 percent lighter than the garden-variety Leaf.

The new electric race vehicle will likely make a series of special demonstration appearances at various motorsports venues in 2011, with the company exploring pioneer zero emission competition spec series in future years.