When Nissan announced that they are building an LMP1 race machine as their WEC contender, we leapt in joy as competition will grow fiercer in the top level of endurance racing. Going against cars like the Audi R18 e-Tron, Toyota TS040 and Porsche’s 919 Hybrid, the LMP1 battle in 2015 will surely be an interesting one as they will be joined by Nissan’s new GT-R LM Nismo racer.
And what is more interesting that Nissan had recently unveiled their new LMP1 racer during the Super Bowl XLIX, and what was residing under the covers was totally what we were not expecting of. A typical LMP1 racer that we see nowadays would be that it will have a mid-mounted engine and the power will be sent to the rear. As for the GT-R LM though is a whole different story.
Instead of having the engine situated at the back of the driver, the GT-R LM has its engine mounted in front of the car. And as if that move is not revolutionary enough in a class dominated by mid-engined cars, the power will also be sent to the front wheels as well!
Powering the car is a 3.0-liter direct-injected twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine that comes with a kinetic energy recovery system. The engine is mated to a five-speed sequential gearbox with pneumatic paddle shift system and a hydraulic limited slip differential. Like mentioned earlier, the car will be entering the LMP1 category where the FIA states that the car must weigh a minimum of 880kg and has a combined output of 1,250-horsepower.
Lined up to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the GT-R LM is scheduled to debut on April 12 at Silverstone.
“This is innovation that excites. Sustainability is at the top of our agenda and the technical regulations for Le Mans give us the freedom to pursue new ideas in this area. Our record at Le Mans is third place overall so we have unfinished business there. We want to win and we have the knowledge to do that – for our customers, our employees and our fans. The competition is exceptionally strong and we are excited by the challenge,” said Shoichi Miyatani, President of Nismo.
