Video: Nissan LEAF NISMO RC shakedown

Nissan to unveil LEAF NISMO RC

Nissan will unveil the LEAF NISMO RC at the New York Auto Show, which doesn't have much in common with the production model. It uses a Li-Ion battery pack and it uses a carbon fibre monocoque platform, making it 40% lighter than the production model. The concept will be used for demonstration purposes only.

Nissan to supply engines to LMS racing team

Nissan announced today an exclusive two-year official partnership with Signature Racing. The agreement brings together Nissan and Signature on the race track in the new Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC), with Nissan providing the team its NISMO tuned VK45V8 engines for the LMP2 class.

Nissan presents GT-R RC and LEAF Aero Style Concept at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

As already posted in the past, Nissan has presented a number of concepts at the Tokyo Auto Salon, with the most interesting one being the LEAF Aero Style Concept. Oh, I do like a lot the Elgrand Rider Premium Concept as well... and the lady at the front!

The LEAF Aero Style Concept is fitted with aero parts providing better seperation of air flow and thus improving the flow from the front to the side. To be honest, I would really like to see the aero bits of the LEAF to hit the market! 

Nissan has also launched the NISMO GT-R RC production model race car.

The NISMO GT-R RC is the latest entry to the RC (Racing Competition) line of high performance, production model race cars developed and outfitted by NISMO. The body has been lightened, fitted with slick tires and equipped with safety equipment to ready it for competition use. During the car's development, it was entered in the 2010 SUPER TAIKYU Round 4 at Fuji, where it confirmed its high performance, reliability and durability.

The car runs on a VR38DETT engine that exceeds 357 kw /485 ps in power with over 588 Nm / 60 kgm of torque. To trim body weight, carbon fiber is used for the bumper, hood, trunk lid & rear wing, and the rear window is made of acrylic. Specialized aeroparts boost aerodynamic performance.

Particular attention was given to optimizing overall vehicle balance. The car was outfitted with height adjustable suspension along with large front (410mm) and rear (380 mm) brake rotors.

Safety features include an FIA standards-compliant weld-in roll cage, bucket seat & driver safety harness, fire extinguisher, ATL 120 liter safety fuel cell and air jacks, making your GT-R RC track-ready on delivery for production car races around the world.

The Nissan NISMO GT-R RC is “made to order” and will be sourced directly from NISMO. Its price is 20,790,000 ¥.

More photos after the jump!

Nissan at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

Nissan will showcase in total nine models at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon. Photo of the Leaf concept has already been posted (earlier post) and those are some new photos of all the models to be displayed.

• Leaf Aero Style Concept 
• JUKE Sporty Package (with dealer installed exterior accessories designed for the European and North American markets)
• Elgrand Rider Premium Concept (specifically tuned up for a higher level of driving performance)
• Serena Rider
• March Bolero
• Nissan NISMO GT-R RC (specially developed for circuit driving)
• NISMO Version FAIRLADY Z (engine output is increased to 261kW (355PS), a higher level of sporty handling is realized through special body and suspension tuning and modification of the power steering characteristics. For the exterior, excellent aerodynamic performance is achieved through use of special body components providing greater downforce and reduced air resistance)
• Elgrand S-tune 
• MOTUL AUTECH GT-R

NISMO GT-R LM Road Car scale model by HPI

The latest addition to my next big order (earlier post), arriving at the end of February, is a NISMO GT-R LM Road Car (1996) scale model by HPI. The actual car is a street legal version of the R33s racing in 24 Hours of Le Mans, which was built by NISMO in order to meet the homologation regulations. Oh, and it's certainly among the most expensive 1/43 scale models I've got... as it costs 10,880 ¥ and thus, I had to remove the Nissan Skyline (HR31) No.23 1987 Inter Tec model from the order...

Nissan tweaks Fairlady Z (370Z)

Nissan will do some minor changes on the Fairlady Z (370Z) in Japan. Changes will include two new exterior colours, a new A/C dial switch and a new shift indicator on the auto models.

The Nismo version will get more significant enhancements as the power will go up by 19 hp, while better tuned dampers and improved reinforced parts designed by Yamaha will be fitted. 

[Source: Nihon Car]

Some more Nissan scale models ordered

Updated on Nov 02 

The "Nissan Fairlady Z 240ZG (HS30)" model was replaced by a Fairlady Z Z432R (PS30SB) model

Life continues and so are my orders for new scale models! This time I focused on Nissan Fairlady models, along with a couple of Skylines and a Pulsar GTI-R model. The latter one will be available next year, but I was lucky enough to be able to place a pre-order.

• Nissan Fairlady Z Z432R (PS30SB) – Orange by Kyosho
• Nissan Fairlady Z 300ZR (HZ31) – Crystal White by Kyosho
• Nissan Fairlady 300ZX Twin Turbo (Z32) 1992 Kanagawa Police by Hikoseven
• Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33) NISMO version 2007 – White by Ebbro
• Nissan Skyline Turbo C Fuji 1000km 1983 No.11 by Tomytec
• Nissan Skyline (HR31) No.23 1987 Inter Tec by Kyosho 
• Nissan Pulsar GTI-R 1991 Test version by Lumyno