Update: Observers of the GTR-LM at NCM Motorsports Park in Kentucky have confirmed the sound of high-power electric vans at speed around the track — answering a fundamental question posed below.
__
Well, I’ll be damned!
The shocking design and tech solutions of the all-new Nissan LMP1 car continue to mystify in the runup to LeMans 2015. The tech specs are out and included here, along with a fascinating video revealing one of the GT-R LM NISMO’s big secret weapons: vacuum aero.
Nissan shows these full-length channels in the design in the below video, describing how the full-length piping helps suck the car into the track pavement. Combined with the massive nose planes and much-longer-than Audi hood, the LM NISMO is quite the intriguing new contender.
These aero ideas are an interesting application of Chaparral 2J racing tech in the 1960s, where ducted fans created an unbeatable racecar … until the tech was banned.
No word from Nissan on the presence of fans or forced airflow inside these vacuum tubes, or if this air is used for any engine or brake cooling. If we had to guess, we’d say all the above and more is happening inside these magic pipes.
The LM NISMO is actually quite beautiful in these latest track photos. Liking the design details and the shocking stance more and more.
Not ‘stance’ in a tuner sense — more like physically sucking itself into the tarmac. Sparking along the racetrack at max attack!
Nissan reveals technical specs for GT-R LM NISMO ahead of Le Mans
SILVERSTONE, UK – The GT-R LM NISMO – Nissan’s ground breaking new racer that that will take on the best in the world at the Le Mans 24 Hours – was created by a team of carefully selected experts from Japan, the U.S. and Europe. Unlike other LM P1 cars, the GT-R LM NISMO’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine sits in the front of the front-wheel-drive car, while the hybrid power is harvested from the front driveline to augment acceleration. Here are complete technical specs for this amazing car.
NISSAN GT-R LM NISMO Technical Specifications
Configuration
Front-engine. Front-wheel-drive
Engine
Nissan VRX 30A NISMO: 3.0-liter, 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-liter 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 center-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 |
2015 Nissan GT-R LM NISMO
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.