Each year, automakers gear up their best contenders for the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in France. If you're a gear-head, you likely already knew this. But, do you know that the race site is also the location of amazing auto technology innovations? It's true, and this year, the Nissan ZEOD electric race car really stole the show.
The car, which was created by both NISMO and Nissan, is labeled ZEOD RC, which stands for "Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car). This new electric racer will take on Le Man 2014 in the iconic "garage 56" slot, a garage that's used by automobiles that use new prototype technologies and are not entered into any particular category.
The new ZEOD RC is a further development of the previous Nissan Deltawing race car, though its now been fitted with an electric drivetrain instead of its previous turbocharged gasoline engine. According to current rumors, the ZEOD is expected to race using both gasoline and electric power when it hits the track next year, meaning it will either using a range-extended setup or a more traditional hybrid drivetrain. Since Nissan has so much faith in its LEAF production EV, we're betting on the range-extender.
Of course, there will be more updates surrounding the new racer in the near future, so be sure to stay tuned here with Lithia Nissan of Ames blog. We'll also be glad to discuss the latest Nissan news with you in person at our convenient Ames, IA location.