After providing us with a first glimpse of the GT-R LM Nismo during Super Bowl XLIX, Nissan has released more photos and details about its innovative LM P1 racing car.
It’s innovative because the Japanese manufacturer has interpreted the sport’s technical regulations to produce a front-engined, front wheel drive car that is powered by a 3.0-liter direct-injected, twin turbo V6 petrol engine and a kinetic energy recovery system.
The engine is mated to a five-speed sequential gearbox with pneumatic paddle shift system and a hydraulic limited slip differential. With an FIA-homologated minimum weight of 880 kg (1,940 lbs) and a combined output of around 1,250 horsepower under race conditions, the GT-R LM Nismo will battle Audi, Porsche and Toyota to win the Le Mans 24 Hours from its first year.
The Nissan GT-R LM Nismo will compete in the LM P1 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the highest category in world sports car racing, with its debut scheduled for April 12 at Silverstone. Obviously, the race that matters most is the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“This is innovation that excites. Sustainability is at the top of our agenda and the technical regulations for Le Mans give us the freedom to pursue new ideas in this area. Our record at Le Mans is third place overall so we have unfinished business there. We want to win and we have the knowledge to do that – for our customers, our employees and our fans. The competition is exceptionally strong and we are excited by the challenge,” said Shoichi Miyatani, President of Nismo.
Nissan also announced that Le Mans-winner Marc Gene is one of the drivers for the 2015 season. The complete driver lineup will be announced later.