One thing about motorsports is that it will never stop changing. What we see blasting the tracks today might be replaced with something totally different in the future, whether it is due to changes in the rules and regulations or some new technological breakthroughs. And since the rulebook will always be subjected to changes, here comes a new player that might possibly be a game-changer, the DeltaWing.
At first glance, it might not look that revolutionary, where its overall shape makes it look pretty much like a 400km/h ++ drag racer, but that is where one is wrong. Even though the DeltaWing does look like one, it is not destined to go only in a straight line.
This one, in fact, is going to be participating in the race that is going to put stress on both man and machine across the 13.629km Circuit de la Sarthe, the ever-grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Although the DeltaWing has “Nissan” written all over, the development was a joint project with Don Panoz, Ben Bowlby and Dan Gurney’s AAR. It is at the heart of this vehicle where the Nissan DNA was injected; a 1.6l four cylinder turbocharged engine with an estimated output of around 300hp.
Not that much? But with a fully loaded weight (fuel + driver) of 590kg, it is said that the DeltaWing will record lap times somewhere between the LMP1 and LMP2, and those are serious machines we are talking about.
I admit, it is great to see such a vehicle rooting to run in Le Mans, but since the DeltaWing does not fit into any available class, it would not be having a position in the overall results. Never mind that, let us just see how this new type of vehicle run for 24 hours this June 16.
Nissan DeltaWing Launch - Innovation that Excites - YouTube
On another note, does anyone think the DeltaWing might look a bit like this?
Images from:
Keaton Batmobile Specification
Nissan's amazing DeltaWing - Telegraph
