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Nissan unveils the world's fastest electric racer at Le Mans

By Angus MacKenzie
June 21, 2013
Nissan unveils the world's fastest electric racer at Le Mans
Nissan's ZEOD RC electric racer will make its racing debut at Le Mans 2014
Nissan's ZEOD RC electric racer will make its racing debut at Le Mans 2014
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ZEOD RC is expected to be capable of speeds exceeding 300 km/h (186 mph) once a final electric drivetrain is selected
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ZEOD RC is expected to be capable of speeds exceeding 300 km/h (186 mph) once a final electric drivetrain is selected
ZEOD RC will compete under the ACO's "Garage 56" entry – an additional spot on the grid for vehicles that showcase new and innovative technology
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ZEOD RC will compete under the ACO's "Garage 56" entry – an additional spot on the grid for vehicles that showcase new and innovative technology
ZEOD RC will use technology similar to that found in the Leaf Nismo RC
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ZEOD RC will use technology similar to that found in the Leaf Nismo RC
DeltaWing design brings with it improved aerodynamics and a lighter weight chassis
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DeltaWing design brings with it improved aerodynamics and a lighter weight chassis
ZEOD RC is expected to be capable of speeds exceeding 300 km/h (186 mph)
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ZEOD RC is expected to be capable of speeds exceeding 300 km/h (186 mph)
DeltaWing design brings with it improved aerodynamics and a lighter weight chassis
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DeltaWing design brings with it improved aerodynamics and a lighter weight chassis
ZEOD RC will run a yet to be determined electric-only system, unlike its 1.6 liter gas powered sibling
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ZEOD RC will run a yet to be determined electric-only system, unlike its 1.6 liter gas powered sibling
ZEOD RC styling is premised off Nissan's unconventionally designed Deltawing architecture
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ZEOD RC styling is premised off Nissan's unconventionally designed Deltawing architecture
ZEOD RC is expected to be capable of speeds exceeding 300 km/h (186 mph)
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ZEOD RC is expected to be capable of speeds exceeding 300 km/h (186 mph)
ZEOD RC will run a yet to be determined electric-only system, unlike its 1.6 liter gas-powered sibling
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ZEOD RC will run a yet to be determined electric-only system, unlike its 1.6 liter gas-powered sibling
ZEOD RC will compete under the ACO's "Garage 56" entry at Le Mans on the grid for vehicles that showcase new and innovative technology
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ZEOD RC will compete under the ACO's "Garage 56" entry at Le Mans on the grid for vehicles that showcase new and innovative technology
Nissan's ZEOD RC electric racer will make its racing debut at Le Mans 2014
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Nissan's ZEOD RC electric racer will make its racing debut at Le Mans 2014
ZEOD RC will compete at Le Mans under a special class for vehicles showcasing new and innovative technology
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ZEOD RC will compete at Le Mans under a special class for vehicles showcasing new and innovative technology
ZEOD RC will compete at Le Mans under a special class for vehicles showcasing new and innovative technology
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ZEOD RC will compete at Le Mans under a special class for vehicles showcasing new and innovative technology
ZEOD RC will compete at Le Mans under a special class for vehicles showcasing new and innovative technology
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ZEOD RC will compete at Le Mans under a special class for vehicles showcasing new and innovative technology
View gallery - 15 images

Le Mans in France, home to one of the world’s most prestigious 24-hour races, was Nissan’s site of choice to unveil its prototype electric speed racer. Touted as the fastest electric race car in the world, the oddly named ZEOD RC is being charged up and made ready to make its racing debut at the famous track in 2014.

Nissan’s awkwardly-named Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car (ZEOD RC) is premised off the same platform as the stylistically contentious DeltaWing. Unlike its gas powered DeltaWing brethren that use a traditional 1.6 liter engine with turbocharger, the ZEOD RC uses an electric-only system similar to Nissan’s Leaf Nismo RC. But where the Leaf Nismo RC only delivered 107 hp and a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph), the ZEOD RC is expected to be capable of speeds exceeding 300 km/h (186 mph).

This will not only make the ZEOD RC the fastest electric racer in the world, but also help it to put chase to petrol-powered racers thanks to its lightweight architecture and advanced aerodynamics. However Nissan admits this is a test bed vehicle and as such drivetrain details were unavailable.

The company reports the ZEOD RC will test out various electric drivetrain options prior to its race in 2014. The complete ZEOD RC Le Mans unveiling can be seen in the Nismo TV video below.

Source: Nissan

Nissan Le Mans Garage 56 - ZEOD RC LIVE REVEAL - 21st JUNE, 2013

View gallery - 15 images

Tags

AutomotiveNissanElectricElectric VehiclesDeltaWingNissan LEAFNismoNissan ZEOD RC
9 comments
Angus MacKenzie
Born on the cold, barren Canadian plains of Calgary, Alberta, Angus MacKenzie couldn’t decide between marketing, automotives or an entrepreneurial path - so he chose all three. With an education in automotives and marketing, Angus has rebuilt the carburetor on his 1963 Rambler Ambassador twice, gotten a speeding ticket in an F430 once, and driven & photographed everything from Lamborghinis to Maseratis to various German and Asian designs. When not writing, Angus has for the past six years been Editor-in-Chief for elemente, an internationally recognized architecture/design magazine.

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9 comments
Bob Ehresman
Definitely NOT the fastest electric car in the world!
The Spanish Supercar VOLAR-e has already demonstrated 186 mph. With a 20 minute recharge time, however, I dont think it is exactly pit stop ready.
Slowburn
It might be very fast within the limits of a charge but unless they switch out batteries refueling will lower its average speed tremendously.
Sascha Humphrey
Hardly progress when in the 100 Km/h barrier was broken, long before the combustion engine record was set, "Before the pre-eminence of internal combustion engines, electric automobiles held many speed and distance records. Among the most notable of these records was the breaking of the 100 km/h (62 mph) speed barrier, by Camille Jenatzy on April 29, 1899 in his 'rocket-shaped' vehicle Jamais Contente, which reached a top speed of 106 km/h (66 mph). Before the 1920s, electric automobiles were competing with petroleum-fueled cars for urban use of a quality service car."
33Nick
Yes, the marketing was a let down. It's not an electric car racer if it has a gasoline engine and yes, it isn't the fastest either. Blame it on PR and marketing!
holdenmidfield
If I can change battery packs on my electric dill in about 5 seconds, why can’t the battery pack on a race car be designed to exchange in under a minute?
holdenmidfield
See it here in this very issue: http://www.gizmag.com/tesla-90-second-battery-swap-system/28020/
Chris Winter
Im a V8 driving petrol head, but even I'm finding myself thinking "so long as it has enough charge to get me to work and back....why NOT an electric car?"
I'd still want a petrol alternative sitting in the garage for long trips and weekend fun of course :D
Bruce Miller
Three moving part power trains possible! recycled batteries?, Gasoline prices rising fast, people dying in this world for oil? Thorium promises from China for cheaper electricity?
John Sweet
self generation to charge the battery as it goes is what we need