Nissan is set to unveil a badass racing version of its Leaf EV at the 2011 New York Auto Show. The Nissan Leaf NISMO RC is a lighter and leaner version of the Leaf, designed to show off the car's competitive potential.
The Nissan Leaf NISMO RC may be called a Leaf, but it is different from its four-door counterpart in almost every way. The Leaf NISMO RC is 40 percent lighter than the production Leaf, weighing in at 2,068 pounds. It also has no carpeting, stereo or navigation system and the car's battery has been moved to the middle for weight distribution reasons. This racing Leaf is also about a foot shorter than its four-door forefather and has an underbelly scraping 2.7 inches of ground clearance.
All of these modifications produce a ride that can do 0-60 in 6.95 seconds and top out at 93 mph. The Nissan Leaf NISMO RC could run under racing conditions for 20 minutes, requiring a 30-minute quick charge to get back to 80 percent battery power. Nissan has no plans to race their new ride anytime soon, although it is nice to see them thinking outside the box when it comes to Leaf offshoots.
Race-Ready EV Makeovers
The Nissan Leaf NISMO RC is Ready to Race
Trend Themes
1. Lightweight Evs - The trend of creating lighter and leaner versions of electric vehicles presents opportunities to improve performance and efficiency.
2. Performance-focused Evs - The trend of developing electric vehicles with enhanced acceleration and top speeds opens up opportunities for racing and sports car applications.
3. Fast Charging Technology - The trend of advancing quick charge capabilities enables electric vehicles to recharge quickly, reducing downtime and improving usability.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive - The automotive industry can explore innovations in producing lightweight electric vehicles that prioritize performance and racing capabilities.
2. Motorsports - The motorsports industry can leverage the development of performance-focused electric vehicles to create new racing categories or events.
3. Charging Infrastructure - The charging infrastructure industry can invest in the advancement of fast charging technology to support the growing demand for electric vehicles.