Nissan announced that it will prepare a works LMP1 prototype, to be named the GT-R, with which to go head to head with Audi, Porsche and Toyota at Le Mans in 2015. The Japanese manufacturer will also contest the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship with a full factory effort for two cars. Nissan’s LM P1 car will be called the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO, carrying on a sporting bloodline that stretches back 30 years and recognizes the company’s flagship road car, the Nissan GT-R.
Nissan’s new program was launched close to Nissan’s new global digital hub in East London, UK. ACO President Pierre Fillon joined Nissan’s Chief Planning Office & Executive Vice-President Andy Palmer; NISMO President Shoichi Miyatani (pictured, LEFT) and NISMO Global Head of Brand, Marketing & Sales, Darren Cox, for the announcement.
“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do,” said Palmer. “There is no better place to demonstrate innovation than here in Europe’s new hot-bed of digital marketing and, from next year, on track at Le Mans. We have chosen this venue – and made it a celebration, rather than yet another press conference – to reflect the fact that when we go racing, we do so differently.”
“We applaud the ACO and FIA for the work they have done to get the rules right,” continued Palmer. “LMP1 is not just an arms race – all our rivals in the class have taken different technical approaches and we will be doing the same. We want to win in a very different way to that of our rivals. We won’t be turning up in a vehicle which is a basically another hybrid that looks like another Porsche, Audi or Toyota – they all look the same to me – our intention is to do something that is a little bit different.”
Nissan will compete at this year’s 24 Hours with its ZEOD RC, which will attempt to become the first manufacturer to complete a lap of the 8.5-mile Circuit de la Sarthe entirely on electric power. Although details on the GT-R LM NISMO’s power train and hybrid systems – which are mandatory under the new LMP1 regulations – were not been released, although it is expected that there will be some technology transfer from the ZEOD program.
Cox said the LMP1 car will begin testing in October. No drivers were announced, although it is expected that drivers from Nissan’s factory Super GT effort as well as its involvement in GT3, LMP2 and the GT Academy program will be involved.
Miyatani, boss of Nissan competition and tuning arm NISMO, said, “The design and build of the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO is a global project with its DNA firmly rooted in Japan. “The team comprises engineers and technical crew from Japan, the U.S. and Europe.” He added that NISMO would be “contributing strongly” to the project.
The car will carry the name of the marque’s road-going GT-R muscle car because it “symbolizes the ultimate in Nissan’s performance,” according to Miyatani.
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