Nissan is leading the way again with another wacky racer, this time announcing the first-ever three-cylinder hybrid race car, set to take part in this year's Le Mans. But don't mention anything to do with wings or the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet - this is the ZEOD RC.
Exterior
The ZEOD RC - Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car - features the unusual delta shape of previous Nissan-involved race car developments, and as such has a much narrower front track than rear. This aids aerodynamics and reduces weight.
Mechanicals
Nissan is claiming a couple of firsts already for the ZEOD before it's even turned a wheel in anger at Circuit de la Sarthe. Number one is that it will be the first entry at Le Mans to complete a lap of the track using nothing but electric power. Number two is that the company is the first major manufacturer to use a three-cylinder engine in major international motorsport.
That engine is a 1.5-litre DIG-T R turbocharged petrol unit, which is tiny - weighing only 40kg and with the block 500mm tall by 400mm long and 200mm wide, Nissan says it is only airline weight penalties that preclude you from taking it on a flight; it's physically small enough to count as hand luggage. Don't be fooled into thinking it's a bit weedy, though, as it manages an impressive 400hp and 380Nm, and it can rev out to 7,500rpm. Nissan is keen to emphasise that, at 10hp/kg, it has a better power-to-weight ratio than the turbo engines that will be used in F1 in 2014.
Each stint the ZEOD completes will last around an hour, with one lap of every shift carried out on electric power alone. Both powerplants drive through a shared five-speed gearbox. The ZEOD hit the track for first testing last week and will undergo a further, extensive test programme in the four months prior to Le Mans, which is held on June 14-15th this year.
Anything else?
While weight and aerodynamics help efficiency, Nissan has also announced a partnership with French lubrication firm Total. All the fuels and lubricants used in the ZEOD have been specifically developed to reduce internal friction and therefore maximise the potential of the 1.5-litre engine.
Lessons learned from this little escapade will be used in the development of Nissan's planned entry into the LMP1 class of the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship - as well as Nissan road cars of the future, apparently.