Nissan Catamaran Ready to Race

It looks like the LEAF is not the only zero-emission Nissan ‘vehicle’ the company is bringing to our attention these days, as one that doesn’t even require batteries comes our way. We are talking here about the Nissan-built Catamaran, which will soon set sail in the Danish ocean, as it will be raced in the 2011 Class A Catamaran ("A-Cat") World Championship from August 13 through 20.

The Class A Catamaran is controlled by a single sailor - in Nissan’s case by Matt Struble, who led the design and modeling team at NDA - and is the smallest in size in all Catamaran race boats.

"We weren't trying to create something that already exists, but something groundbreaking," Struble said. "This has truly been a great experience and great project for us. This one in particular was quite unique because you have to create it in your mind, but also physically manufacture it and follow through. It was great for our team to see the project from start to finish."

In creating the boat, the Mexicali modeling team was able to gain valuable experience and knowledge with new materials, spraying techniques and model finish applications and learned how to achieve more accurate models, as well as new techniques and processes. NDA's Mexicali facility opened in March 2009 and handles design model milling, surface data processing, painting and shop work.

"This has been a great opportunity and experience for the Mexicali team, whose core business is model building, data development and digitizing. The goal for the team is to timely achieve accurate models to enhance the overall business of design," said Rich Plavetich, General Manager, Design Business, NDA. "The knowledge and skills acquired from this experience will be incorporated into the future Nissan and Infiniti vehicle design development process," Plavetich said.