Nismo GT-R LMP1

[Red Firecracker]

moribund said:

Under 100km? Well that would explain the lack of spy shots. 100km is 2/3rds of a trackday, not a Le Mans development programme.

Stress, rumour, and as we've seen Nissan have been very good at keeping things quiet until now, but if that rumour is true (I can't believe it is that bad personally) then they have a lot of work ahead, but it is oft said it is easier to make a fast car reliable than vice versa. So if it's quick, then a big part of the puzzle is done.

[eastlmark]

strange it ran in red body on he first day yet virgin carbon fibre later on. suggests an off maybe and a shortage of finished bodywork. cockpit is reminiscent of the coupe delta wing/ Zeod.

[RobGT81]

Maybe they were filming the superbowl ad with the red bodywork?

[Some Gump]

Mulsanne Mike has updated his tech insight again - well worth a read. I love what he can pick up from a few sparse details and a photo - now he has pointed it out, that car is totally bereft of vents. No canards / dive planes. Teeny tiny chord on rear wing.

I do hope these "uber low downforce" stories are true, and it does mega straight line speed - it'd be like seeing Norton back in BSB =)

[RobGT81]

Although the rumours about the drivers claiming the car is unsafe without the rear wing, don't bode well.

[Red Firecracker]

No matter what it looks like and people's feelings towards that, it has to be admitted that it is an absolutely fascinating project.

And agreed, Rob, it does sound as though it is a bit 'twitchy' to say the least.

[RobGT81]

I'm sure they will sort the rear end out for Le Mans however, I reckon there might be some twitching from the car and driver as it gets tipped into the Porsche Curves for the first time on a fast lap.

[Some Gump]

RobGT81 said:

Although the rumours about the drivers claiming the car is unsafe without the rear wing, don't bode well.

Didn't people say that about the 917 as well? Pity Porsche never developed that into a race winner

[Roverload]

Its all very exciting I think! There are better pics floating around on facebook, each one looks slightly different. I'll be interested to see just how much of what they learned from the zeod has been applied to this car. It is quite possibly the ugliest car of the 21st century but echoing above comments, absolutely fascinating!

[Mini1275]

[Vocal Minority]

Looks an awful lot like a Toyota GT1 from this angle

[TransverseTight]

Just found this from a few days back. Sid some googling as I know the anonuncement is some point today...

http://www.vavel.com/br/motor/439376-primeiras-ima...

Looks like the real deal. If that isn't front engined I'll eat one of my hats.

If you want to see it translated try this - but don't know if it will work...

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&...

[TransverseTight]

Ah the source article...

http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/exclusive-see-and-he...

That's is certainly going to get some chatter. Not much like an Audi/Toyota/Porsche.

Edit... doh - I'm only about 2 weeks 2 late. Just saw the earlier post. LOL

Edited by TransverseTight on Sunday 1st February 22:38

[Mini1275]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a24902/dev...



C

Edited by Mini1275 on Monday 2nd February 01:41

[DS240]

Front wheel drive!!

Wow, that's certainly different. The rear aero looks incredible, but really didn't expect FWD on top of the front engined layout.

One of two headaches I imagine sorting issues out on something so out of the racing norm.


EDIT.....

Okay, the headline of FWD isn't entirely as it seems. From reading an article it does appear there are driveshafts going to the rear wheels. So AWD or indeed RWD does seem entirely possible.

Edited by DS240 on Monday 2nd February 12:19

[Some Gump]

In other news, I've been looking at the release gear, and think that Nissan have one Achilles heel that they can't get round with this setup..

In the last few years, cars which have had minor (or in some cases quite severe) offs have been quickly repaired and gone on to do OK. Audi especially seem to be able to work miracles on quick fixes.

With a front engined architecture, and the carbon tubes from the very front of the crash structure going directly to the turbos - will any minor shunt be quite catastrophic for the Nissan team?

[RobGT81]

The radiators look very vulnerable, much like the old 911s that gave up after a tiny tap.



Imagine that front end having a bump like the Audi did at Le Mans.

[H100S]

Visibility over the front wheels looks shocking. i cant imagine it being easy to spot the apex. Will such wide front tyres be a huge compromise in the wet, aquaplane issues?

[TransverseTight]

I'm loving it.

Kudos to Nissan. Even if this doesn't win.. it will generate more social media chatter, column inches and brand interest than the other 3 LMP competitors put together. That's is surely what prototypes are about - trying new stuff, making people go wow - why did they do that! Probably the most interesting race car in the world this year. It even sort of ties into the GT-R road car, well a bit. LOL.

[PeXy]

I am a bit confused, here they say it is really Fwd?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117546