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January 3, 2020
In the motorsports world, Nissan's performance brand NISMO (short for Nissan Motorsports) competes at the highest level and is continually leading the way in electric vehicle technology. In 2011 they changed the face of racing with the release of the world's first zero-emissions, no tailpipe, track-ready race car––the Nissan LEAF-NISMO RC. In 2018, the second generation of the Nissan LEAF-NISMO RC was born, and with it the promise of more electric high-performance vehicles hitting the market.
The Nissan LEAF-NISMO RC (Racing Competition) doesn’t have a traditional engine, uses no gas, and instead of roaring around the track, glides almost silently by. To make it as light as possible, the 3-piece body is manufactured from carbon-fiber. The silhouette is low and wide, and the massive tail is designed to create significant downforce, keeping the car stable and glued to the track. Like the production Nissan LEAF® on which it’s based, the Nissan LEAF-NISMO RC is powered by electricity stored in its revolutionary lithium-ion batteries. The long, up-sloping headlights are also pure Nissan LEAF, but that’s where the family resemblance ends.
The NISMO RC has no trunk, no rear doors or seats, carpets, navigation screen or any other conventional amenities. It sits wide and low to the ground, with its wind-cutting form measuring less than 48 inches from roof to road – just under 12 inches shorter than the production Nissan LEAF. The 100% electric drivetrain needs no oxygen, so it can maintain peak performance levels even at high altitudes where thin air ordinarily degrades the effectiveness of combustion engines.
EXPLORE THE 2020
The spirit of the the Nissan LEAF NISMO-RC can be found in every 2020 Nissan LEAF. Learn more and build yours now.
The original Nissan LEAF-NISMO RC made headlines when it debuted in 2011 as the first-ever zero-emission racing car. What's more, it boasted peak performance using only the standard power unit from the original Nissan Leaf, with a top speed of 150km/h (93 mph) and the ability to accelerate from 0-100km/h (63 mph) in just 6.85 seconds.
100,000 people crowding in the Circuit de la Sarthe's main grandstand cheered on the first Nissan LEAF-NISMO RC at its demonstration run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France - regarded as the "Super Bowl" of racing. The groundbreaking vehicle has been showcased on racetracks all over the world - in France, Dubai, Japan and Canada, to name a few.
The new Nissan LEAF-NISMO RC debuted in Tokyo at the end of 2018 appearing alongside Nissan's new Formula E electric race car. The NISMO RC takes Nissan's original groundbreaking electric technology and blows past all expectations. The new model's twin electric motors produce 322 horsepower (161 each) and 472 pound-feet of instant torque to the wheels. It has more than double the maximum power and torque output of its predecessor and can execrate from 0-100km/h in a blazing 3.4sec - half the time of the previous model. A new all-wheel-drive system gives the Nissan LEAF-NISMO RC its outstanding cornering prowess. Power is managed independently to each axle, instantly supplying torque to the tire with the most grip to let the car maneuver quickly and efficiently around the track.
The new Nissan LEAF-NISMO RC was showcased in May of 2019 as the official pace car for the 2019 Nissan Micra Cup series - the first time in the history of North American motorsports that a 100 percent electric car took to the track.
High performance electric vehicles (EV) aren't just for early adopters anymore. The Nissan LEAF-NISMO RC was inspired by the revolutionary technology that powered the original Nissan LEAF. Now the NISMO racing spirit is being injected back into road vehicles - the 2018 Nissan LEAF NISMO released in Japan, and the 2019 Nissan LEAF PLUS available in the United States.
Nissan’s flagship electric car meets NISMO’s driving excitement in the new Japanese Nissan LEAF-NISMO.
The application of racing technology to the car’s body results in enhanced aerodynamic performance and less lift, without sacrificing the Nissan LEAF’s excellent drag coefficient. The black interior features NISMO’s signature red accents, creating an exciting, high-performance feel.
The Nissan LEAF NISMO combines the environmentally friendly character of an electric car with the exciting driving experience that’s always been a hallmark of the NISMO brand. The superior handling is thanks to a sport-tuned suspension and high-performance tires, not to mention a custom-tuned computer that delivers instant acceleration at all speeds. The dedicated suspension (shock absorber) increases stability and achieves both handling performance and a flat ride. Not only is it stylish- the Nissan LEAF-NISMO is efficient. (One charge lasts about 217 miles).
The Japanese model is based on the new Nissan LEAF, available worldwide. The new Nissan LEAF Plus showcases the power advances and range born from the pioneering tech developed by the NISMO team. The first time you accelerate and feel 100% instant torque push you to the back of your seat, you'll wonder at the intensity of performance coming from a car so amazingly quiet. And like its race car cousin, it's fun to drive. Flip a switch for the thrill of one-pedal driving with the Nissan LEAF's innovative e-Pedal. Just press down for an instant rush and ease off to slow down.
These powerful features don't sacrifice the efficiency and benefits that drivers come to expect from an electric vehicle. The second-generation Nissan LEAF boasts an impressive 226 mile range [[1312]] and comes equipped with a 100kw fast charge port that can boost performance by 150 miles of range in about 60 mins [[1316]]. And with fewer moving parts than a traditional gas car, the Nissan LEAF is ultra low maintenance. You can say goodbye to oil changes and tune-ups.
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