Last week, Nissan announced it had chosen a development driver for its ZEOD RC electric race car project, Spanish gamer-turned-racer, Lucas Ordóñez.
This week, the automaker and its motorsport arm Nismo has allowed us a little insight into the car itself, starting with the strong carbon tub right at the center of the dart-shaped racer.
Without its long, narrow nose and wide wing-shaped rear it's hard to imagine the ZEOD's shape just from the driver's safety cell, but in many ways it's the most vital part of the build. The thick carbon tub is similar in concept to the one you'll find on BMW's i3 electric car, albeit much smaller and even stronger.
Along with the driver's capsule, explains ZEOD head of design Mark Way, the carbon tub is home to the fuel filler--supplying the car's engine, expected to be a range-extending unit for its electric drivetrain--as well as ducting for electric cabling and two vents for cooling. It's also clear to see the ZEOD's two-pedal layout, with no clutch required as part of the electric setup.
This week, the automaker and its motorsport arm Nismo has allowed us a little insight into the car itself, starting with the strong carbon tub right at the center of the dart-shaped racer.
Along with the driver's capsule, explains ZEOD head of design Mark Way, the carbon tub is home to the fuel filler--supplying the car's engine, expected to be a range-extending unit for its electric drivetrain--as well as ducting for electric cabling and two vents for cooling. It's also clear to see the ZEOD's two-pedal layout, with no clutch required as part of the electric setup.
Also visible on the compact tub is the start of the ZEOD's large rear fin, which extends to the tail of the car and endows it with stability in the corners. You won't find any huge aerodynamic spoilers on the car though, as the shape of the vehicle itself generates all the downforce it needs--enough to drive upside-down, in theory.
Way also gives us a little insight into the drivetrain's layout: The engine will sit nearest the driver's tub. Further back, the electric motor and the car's transmission are positioned between the wheels, and behind these is the electric motor controller.
Just as with the high-tech Deltawing race car campaigned in 2012--the designer of which, Ben Bowlby, is also responsible for the ZEOD RC--the car's unusual layout is both inherently stable and easily capable of matching its more conventional rivals in the turns. The project's ultimate aim is a sub-four-minute, all-electric lap of Le Mans. We'll see next year whether they can achieve that goal...
Way also gives us a little insight into the drivetrain's layout: The engine will sit nearest the driver's tub. Further back, the electric motor and the car's transmission are positioned between the wheels, and behind these is the electric motor controller.
Just as with the high-tech Deltawing race car campaigned in 2012--the designer of which, Ben Bowlby, is also responsible for the ZEOD RC--the car's unusual layout is both inherently stable and easily capable of matching its more conventional rivals in the turns. The project's ultimate aim is a sub-four-minute, all-electric lap of Le Mans. We'll see next year whether they can achieve that goal...
No comments:
Post a Comment