Nissan ZEOD RC, the Japanese electric car for Le Mans

Carlos Ghosn’s wish has come true. After eight months of development, design and manufacturing, the electric prototype Nissan ZEOD RC was unveiled today at the Nismo headquarters in Yokohama, just after the president and CEO of Nissan announced last February the brand’s goal of returning to the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year with a fully electric prototype.

The first version of the innovative electric prototype was revealed at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, but now it has been shown with a radical evolution and a renewed design, featuring new cooling intakes and new aerodynamic components.

The ZEOD RC uses the technology developed with the Nissan LEAF RC, the energy management and recovery systems, and will become the first car to complete a full lap of the 13-kilometre Le Mans Circuit powered solely by electric energy. The prototype will reach speeds of over 300 km/h and will be faster than an LM GTE category car on the famous French track. The ZEOD RC has already been invited by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest to occupy the “Garage 56”, a slot reserved for vehicles using new and innovative technologies.

The driver will have access to the electric power and a small lightweight turbocharged internal combustion engine. The car, which uses the same battery technology as the Nissan LEAF, recharges its batteries with the energy generated during braking.

Although it will not be a full-fledged track debut, fans will have the chance to see the Nissan ZEOD RC up close in the Fuji paddock this weekend during the FIA World Endurance Championship scoring round.

Source: Nissan