Nissan has revealed the first technical details of the new hybrid powertrain which will be used in the forthcoming ZEOD RC hybrid racing car, which is due to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.
The ZEOD RC, which Nissan hopes will become the first car to complete a lap of 8.47-mile Circuit de la Sarthe on electric power alone, will be powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine which develops 395bhp and 280lb-ft of torque.
The engine can rev up to 7,500rpm and weights just 40kg, giving it a better power-to-weight ratio than the 1.6-litre V6 turbo engines which will be used in this year's Formula One World Championship.
The ZEOD RC's batteries are recharged using the same regenerative braking system used in the Leaf electric car. Nissan claims that it will take 11 laps running on petrol power before the system has harvested enough energy to power the car for an all-electric lap.
The ZEOD RC, which was revealed last October, is the spiritual successor to the DeltaWing which Nissan entered into the race back in 2012; however, the company is keen to point out that the ZEOD is an all-new design.
Nissan will be putting the car through an extensive testing program before it makes its debut at Le Mans on 14 June.
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