NISSAN SET TO ELECTRIFY CLIPSAL 500 IN AUSTRALIA WITH LEAF NISMO RC

by Nissan | February 26, 2014

◾Clipsal 500 in Adelaide to see first Australian appearance of Nissan LEAF NISMO RC – state-of-the-art all-electric, zero emission racing car

◾'Nissan Time Attack' sees LEAF NISMO RC on Adelaide street circuit against Nissan GT-R and Nissan Altima V8 Supercar

MELBOURNE, Australia – Nissan is set to electrify this weekend's Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, South Australia with the on-track appearance of its spectacular, all-electric racing car, the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC.

Nissan LEAF NISMO RC is one of the most innovative racing cars in the world with its all-electric powertrain. The zero-emission, purpose-built racing machine is powered by an electric motor with revolutionary lithium-ion batteries, meaning no fuel tank, no tail pipe and very little noise.

The appearance of the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC is a coup for the Clipsal 500 event in Adelaide, with the car having made only select appearances since its unveil at the New York Auto Show in 2011, lapping circuits such as Le Mans in France and Goodwood in the United Kingdom. The Clipsal 500 will be the first time the car has visited Australia.

Fans at the Clipsal 500 will see the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC on-track in the 'Nissan Time Attack' on both Saturday and Sunday at the Adelaide Parklands street circuit, with the all-electric racer on-track against a Nissan Altima V8 Supercar and a Nissan GT-R road car.

Fresh from his drive of the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 at the Bathurst 12 Hour two weeks ago, former V8 Supercars champion Rick Kelly will drive the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC in the 'Nissan Time Attack,' joining the likes of former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert and former FIA GT1 World Champion Michael Krumm as drivers given the privilege of piloting the technologically-advanced racer.

Former Nissan factory driver and television commentator Neil Crompton will share driving duties in the GT-R with young Adelaide racer, Samantha Zanotto (nee Reid).

The Nissan LEAF NISMO RC is the world's first all-electric race car. Like the production-based Nissan LEAF on which it is based, the zero-emission LEAF NISMO RC is powered by electricity, stored in its revolutionary lithium-ion batteries. The long, up-sloping headlights are also pure LEAF, but that's where the family resemblance ends.

Despite the fact that you'll hardly hear this car glide by, the LEAF NISMO RC is a pure racecar, with its three-piece body manufactured from carbon fiber. The shape and silhouette of the car is low and wide, and the adjustable rear wing is designed to create significant downforce, keeping the car stable and glued to the track.

The LEAF NISMO RC adds to Nissan's catalogue of electric energy-powered racecars, which includes the recently launched Nissan ZEOD RC – the car that will break new ground at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year. The ZEOD RC's power plant will include the unique combination of a 1.5-liter internal combustion engine that boasts 400 horsepower, despite only weighing 40 kilograms, alongside its electric powerplant.

The 'Nissan Time Attack' supports the opening event of the 2014 V8 Supercars Championship at the Adelaide Parklands circuit, where the Nissan Motorsport four-car Altima team will do battle against its rivals in the manufacturer's second season in V8 Supercars competition.

QUOTES:

Rick Kelly: Nissan Leaf NISMO RC driver in 'Nissan Time Attack'

'It's going to be an honor to be the first person to drive the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC in Australia.

'It's a crazy time at the moment, having come from Bathurst in the GT-R, then testing our Altima V8 Supercar, and now I'm going to get the chance to drive one of Nissan's game changers.' The LEAF NISMO RC is a pure racecar. It's not going to sound like the racing cars we've all come to know, but the level of detail that NISMO has gone to in this car is amazing.

'I'm also excited by what the future holds in the automotive industry and it's great to be a part of a manufacturer that is a leader in automotive innovation, and in particular electric-powered vehicles, and the LEAF RC is a perfect example of that.

'I think the Adelaide fans will be blown away by its speed and I'm really excited to get behind the wheel of it at the Clipsal 500.'

Jeff Fisher: General Manager, Motorsport – Nissan Motor Company Australia

'Nissan has taken a lead role in globally pioneering the future of motorsport. Clearly, as the world becomes more conscious of resource management, alternative energies will play an increasingly larger part in racetrack technology.

'The arrival of Energy Recovery Systems in F1 and the forthcoming Formula E electric race car championship are current examples of future technology in management of resources in the motorsport industry.

'The Nissan LEAF is changing the way we drive on the roads, with more than 100,000 zero-emission LEAF vehicles already sold worldwide. And the LEAF RC is NISMO's translation of that innovation to the race track – demonstrating high levels of torque and grip – all without the direct use of fossil fuel energy.'

About Nissan Motor Company

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with approximately 236,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012.

Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN.

Photo credit: Nissan
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