Nissan has brought the Leaf
Nismo RC for the first time on European soil, and more specifically at the
Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain. The Nissan Leaf Nismo RC was created
as a “test-bed for future technologies”, exploring what can be achieved with an
electric twin-motor setup and all-wheel drive. The show car packs 322 HP and 640 Nm of torque, making it capable of a 0-100 km/h in
just 3.4 seconds.
Nissan’s electric race car is
built upon a carbon fiber tub that keeps the weight down to 1,220
kg and of course provides the perfect basis for heavy track use. The Leaf
Nismo RC’s all-wheel drive system channels torque to the tire with the most
grip for the best possible cornering performance while the electric motors and
converters are mounted over the front and rear tires for better balance.
Last October, Nissan presented
another Leaf prototype, this time based on the electric hatchback currently on
sale, powered by a similar twin-motor, all-wheel drive setup. That show car
offered a combined 304 HP and 680 Nm of torque, with Nissan adding
that they are indeed developing a new electric four-wheel-control technology
that will reach eventually production.
Nissan’s latest production EV
is the long-range Leaf E+, which packs a bigger 62 kWh battery, a 217 HP
electric motor and an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 363 km)-76 miles more than the base Leaf with the 40 kWh battery pack.
