Prototype Nissan Leaf EV race car hints at future potential
Nissan engineers build 48Kwh Leaf race car in their spare time – hinting at future of the model
Technicians from Nissan’s Innovation team have developed a Leaf hatchback with 75 per cent extra range as part of an after-hours project to design a new EV race car.
Showcasing the potential capacity of the next Leaf production car, the 48kWh model carries a battery twice the size of that in the current car, giving a much needed boost in range.
The group of engineers behind the 48kWh Leaf designed the prototype to compete in the ECOseries – a Spanish motorsport event that encourages fuel economy and efficiency, rather than outright speed.
Located at Nissan’s Technical Centre in Barcelona, Nissan’s Innovation team demonstrated the battery capacity that could feature in a future replacement for the Leaf – although Nissan has given no indication of time scale for such technology to reach the production model.
Codenamed “Cocoon”, the prototype forms part of Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility Framework, aiming to develop a sustainable, zero emissions transport network.
Gareth Dunsmore, Director of Electric Vehicles at Nissan Europe said: "As a pioneer of the electric vehicle market, Nissan has consistently innovated and advanced its technology to remain at the forefront of the zero emission sector.”
Nissan introduced the Leaf as the world’s first mass-market, 100 percent electric vehicle in 2010, and whilst there are no official plans to put the prototype into production, it gives a strong insight into the potential future range of Nissan’s electric vehicles.
