Nissan Unveils Revolutionary Petrol Engine
· Weighs just 40kg; more power per kilo than a Formula 1 engine
· New technical partnership with Total lubricants revealed
To Complement Electric ZEOD RC Powerplant
· Weighs just 40kg; more power per kilo than a Formula 1 engine
· New technical partnership with Total lubricants revealed
Nissan will not only break new ground with the unique electric
power plant aboard the Nissan ZEOD RC at Le Mans this year, but the
accompanying internal combustion engine is set to revolutionise standards of
performance and efficiency.
The Nissan ZEOD RC will become the first entry at Le Mans to
complete a lap of the Circuit de la Sarthe under nothing but electric power in
June. A single lap of each stint (a fuel "stint" lasts approximately
one hour) will be electric powered, then the new Nissan DIG-T R 1.5 litre
three-cylinder turbo engine will take over.
The incredibly small engine weighs only 40 kilograms (88 pounds)
but produces an astonishing 400hp. The base engine is only 500mm tall x 400mm
long x 200mm wide (19.68" x 15.74" x 7.78"). While the engine is
technically too heavy to take as carry-on luggage on a plane - it would easily
fit inside the luggage guides seen at major airports around the world.
Revving to 7,500rpm, the Nissan DIG-T R produces 380Nm of
torque. At a ratio of 10 horsepower per kilogram the new engine actually
has a better power-to-weight ratio than the new engines to be used in the FIA
Formula 1 World Championship this year.
With the entire concept of the Nissan ZEOD RC focussing heavily
on downsizing and efficiency, Nissan turned to new lubricants partner Total to
help develop the engine. The French lubricants manufacturer has worked closely
with Nissan engineers to develop fuel and lubricants to maximise the potential
of the engine.
The Nissan ZEOD RC will occupy "Garage 56" at this
year's Le Mans 24 Hours, an additional entry reserved by the Automobile Club de
l‘Ouest for new and ground-breaking technologies never previously seen at the
classic French endurance event.
Lessons learned from the development of the revolutionary
racecar will also be used in the development of Nissan's planned entry into the
LM P1 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2015.
"Our engine team has done a truly remarkable job with the
internal combustion engine," said Darren Cox, Nissan's Global Motorsport
Director.
"We knew the electric component of the Nissan ZEOD RC was
certainly going to turn heads at Le Mans but our combined zero emission
on-demand electric/petrol power plant is quite a stunning piece of engineering.
"Nissan will become the first major manufacturer to use a
three-cylinder engine in major international motorsport. We're aiming to
maintain our position as industry leaders in focussing on downsizing. Lessons
learned from the development of the engine will be seen in Nissan road cars of
the future.
"Our aim is to set new standards in efficiency in regards
to every aspect of the car - powertrain, aerodynamics and handling. For
the powertrain we have worked closely with the team at Total to not only reduce
friction inside the engine, but within all components of the powertrain.
"Friction is the enemy of horsepower and tackling that has
been one of the efficiency targets we have concentrated on heavily."
After extensive dyno testing, the Nissan ZEOD RC hit the track
for the first time last week with both the electric and internal combustion
engines in place.
Both the petrol and electric powerplants run through the same
five-speed gearbox that transfers power to the ground via Michelin tyres.
"Being chosen by a car manufacturer as a technological
partner to achieve a demonstration of innovation, is always a source of pride,
especially on this legendary race - 24 Hours of Le Mans. It drives our
researchers to find solutions and get the most out of the technical
specifications as well as the fuel economy properties that our TOTAL QUARTZ
lubricants range provides to all passenger cars," said Philippe Girard, Scientific
Delegate for Total.
The Nissan ZEOD RC will undergo an extensive test program over
the next four months prior to it making its race debut at this year's Le Mans
24 Hours on June 14-15.
About Nissan in the UK
- Nissan Sunderland Plant produces the Nissan Qashqai, Note and Juke and the 100% electric Nissan LEAF
- Production of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles began in 2012
- Total plant volume since 1986 stands at more than seven million units with 80 per cent of production exported to 97 markets worldwide
- Total investment made and announced since then is over £3.5 billion
- 510,572 units were produced at Sunderland plant in 2012, a plant record
- Sunderland Plant currently employs more than 6,100 people
- Nissan's European Design Centre is located in Paddington, London and employs around 65 people
- Nissan's European Technical Centre is based in Cranfield, Bedfordshire and employs around 1,000 people.
About
Nissan in Europe
Nissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of
any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 14,500 staff across
locally-based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and
sales & marketing operations. Last year Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and
Russia produced more than 695,000 vehicles including mini-MPVs, award-winning
crossovers, SUVs and commercial vehicles. Nissan now offers 24 diverse and
innovative products for sale in Europe today, and is positioned to become the
number one Asian brand in Europe.
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