2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept

Nissan will unveil a racing variant of the Leaf electric car at the 2011 New York Auto Show, but the Nissan Leaf NISMO RC has little in common with its more pedestrian "sibling." NISMO started with a lithium ion battery pack and badging from a stock Leaf, then built a completely new vehicle around it.

2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept

Despite featuring the same electric underpinnings as the production LEAF which went on sale in the US, Europe and Japan in December, the 2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept – for ‘Racing Competition’ – is a genuine performance hatch. According to Nissan engineers, the 2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept has achieved 0-100km/h sprint times of 6.85 seconds in preliminary testing, making it faster than a Volkswagen Golf GTI. Its top speed is a less spritely but still impressive 150km/h.

2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept, the name that is written on its back panel just under the huge rear-wing. Its powertrain is 100% zero-emission Lithium-ion battery design, just like the one on the world’s first affordable mass market electric vehicle. Despite the lack of rear doors, rear seat, audio system, navigation, and other amenities, there is obvious family resemblance. But that’s where the similarities of the production Nissan Leaf and the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC end.

2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept

There are no rear doors; the carpeting, navigation and stereo system are gone; and the battery pack has been relocated to the middle of the vehicle for better weight distribution. Speaking of weight, the 2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept is about 40 percent lighter than the production Leaf, as a carbon fibre monocoque platform and more compact dimensions cut total weight to just 2,068 pounds. The race-ready Leaf is also a foot shorter and 6.7 inches wider, and with a scant 2.4 inches of ground clearance.

The 2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept was created at the Nissan Global Design Centre in Japan and features removable front and rear sections, driver-adjustable rear wing, fixed windows, LED headlights, four-coat Pearl White paint, 18-inch six-spoke alloy wheels and Bridgestone racing tyres.

2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept designed as a true racing machine car, starting with its full carbon fiber. The three body parts includes removable front and rear, fixed windows, LED headlights and taillights and rear wing adjustable. Special paint pearl white coat with 4-blue Nismo / Zero Emission graphics complete the exterior. 2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept, which the “RC” stands for Racing Competition – makes its world debut at the 2011 New York International Auto Show, built to deliver a new meaning to the term “Racing Green.”

2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept

Nissan says the NISMO RC will be used for demonstration purposes, so don't expect this Leaf to compete any time soon. The automaker does say, however, that it's considering a zero-emission spec series for the future. With an estimated run time of 20 minutes under racing conditions, the 30 minute quick-charge time (to achieve 80 percent capacity) would make for some leisurely pit stops. When the 2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept is in motion, its 80kW AC motor generates 107 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque; good enough for a 0-60 time of 6.85 seconds and a 150-kph top speed of 93 miles per hour. It is projected to have a running time of around 20 minutes under racing conditions.

2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept

“Combining the talents of Nismo, Nissan’s world renowned motorsports group, and engineers behind some of the company’s Super GT and FIA GT1 race teams, the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC will serve as a rolling laboratory for the accelerated development of EV and aerodynamic systems, as well as a platform for the development of new green motorsports series,” said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas in a statement. “Nissan LEAF owners are fully embracing this new world of zero emission technology. We believe the same potential exists in the motorsports world as well, with Nissan proud to be first on the starting grid.”