06/19/2011
Video: Nissan Leaf Nismo RC whines 'round the track at Le Mans
Filed under: Motorsports, Nissan, Electric, Racing
Nissan Leaf Nismo RC at Le Mans - Click above to the watch video after the jump
Sit back, relax and enjoy the blissful whine emanating from this spinning electric motor.
What we have here is a sitcom-length video of the battery-powered Nissan Leaf Nismo RC lapping the famed Circuit de la Sarthe prior to the running of the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans. Behind the wheel is none other than Nissan's number two in command, Carlos Tavares.
Recorded on June 11th during the "Le Mans vers le futur" - a demonstration event designed to showcase some potential vehicles of the future - the onboard cam puts you in the middle of the on-track action. It's 22-plus minutes of electrifying driving... literally. So, hit the jump to find out what it's like to drive electrified.
FYI, the pace picks up about three minutes in, though we wish Tavares had taken an all-put lap instead of following the slower BMW ahead. Maybe next time...
Continue reading Nissan Leaf Nismo RC whines 'round the track at Le Mans
Nissan Leaf Nismo RC whines 'round the track at Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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06/18/2011
06/17/2011
First Drive: 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup [w/video]
Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Porsche, Racing
Taming A Real Race Car At The GT3 Cup Experience
2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup - Click above for high-res image gallery
Beads of sweat itch as they drip down the bridge of my nose, but there is nothing I can do about it. My hands are buried deep inside fire-resistant racing gloves and my face is covered by a clear Lexan shield sealing the front of my full composite racing helmet. Waiting patiently for the signal from the pit crew, I shake my head side-to-side but the movement is thwarted by the nylon straps of the HANS device determined to keep my vertebrae stable. Eventually, the salty drops fall and they are absorbed by the Nomex balaclava resting against my chin.
Speakers in my foam earplugs crackle to life and a broken voice tells me it is time to start the engine. I had rehearsed this drill earlier in the day, so I use my right hand to switch on the master power. After a quick check to ensure the sequential gearbox is in Neutral, my other hand reaches to the left side of the carbon fiber dash and presses the start button. The engine fires to life and settles down to a coarse growl.
Several pit monkeys line up behind the vehicle, resting their hands on the rear wing, while the crew chief stands in front of the hood holding up a gloved palm. As the seconds tick by, I cinch my harness straps and scan the LCD instrument panel one more time. The voice in my ears cackles back with a simple, "Let's go."
I take a deep breath, put the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car's gearbox into first gear and ease out the clutch...
Continue reading 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup [w/video]
2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/17/2011-porsche-911-gt3-cup-first-drive-review/
