If you cast your mind back to February this year, you might remember Nissan revealed its innovative Le Mans challenger -the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO.
What makes the GT-R LM NISMO so different from other Le Mans cars is the fact that the engine is in the front and its also front wheel drive, this was a bold decision for Nissan but they hope this change will give them a strategic advantage over other cars. In March this year, I was lucky enough to see the car at the press day of the Geneva Motor and I have to see it certainly looked the part.
Nissan have now released an interesting video that explains the idea and thought process behind this radical new look at a Le Mans racer and also the technical specification of the car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq8I0_wygpI
Configuration
Front-engine. Front-wheel-drive
Engine
Nissan VRX 30A NISMO: 3.0 litre, 60 degree V6, direct injection gasoline twin-turbo
Transmission
5-speed + reverse sequential gearbox with pneumatic paddle shift system. Epicyclic final drive reduction with hydraulic limited slip differential
Tilton 3-plate carbon clutch assembly
Chassis
FIA Homologated weight: 870 kg. Right-hand driving position
68 litre capacity FT3 fuel tank featuring electric lift and feed pumps. Mechanical flywheel ERS housed ahead and beneath driver’s feet inside the survival cell.
Bodywork
Carbon-composite body panels. Polycarbonate windscreen with hard coating
CFD and full scale wind tunnel developed ultra high efficiency bodywork geometry, adjustable rear wing.
Suspension
Ohlins multi-adjustable front dampers and Penske multi-adjustable rear dampers, hydraulic rear anti-roll bar system.
Brakes
6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers. Driver adjustable brake bias.
Wheels
BBS centre-lock, magnesium forged 18”x13” front and 16”x9” rear
Tyres
Michelin 31/71-18 front, 20/71-16 rear radials
Electrical
Cosworth engine control unit featuring: Engine control, gearbox control;
Driver adjustable traction control, Anti-lag system control, lift-and-coast fuel conservation, Drive-by-wire throttle control and ERS deployment strategy control
Interior
NISMO 5-point harness
Lifeline lightweight extinguisher system
Data / display system
Cosworth Electronics with NISMO steering wheel mounted LCD
Dimensions
Length: 4.645m
Width: 1.9m
Height: 1.03m
Minimum weight: 870kg
Full tank capacity: 68L