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Pikes Peak hill climb has just got more ridiculous. And it's largely thanks to Nissan - it's entering an all-electric Leaf, driven by professional racer, Chad Hord. And no, it's not the funked-up Nismo hyper-Leaf we showed you in May.
It's using a bog-standard EV that's almost exactly as you'd find it in the showroom.
The Pikes Peak Leaf, which is entering into the electric class, has had a few minor additions (roll cage, bucket seats and harnesses) and subtractions (there's not much interior software left), but the motor's all factory.
It uses the production 48-module lithium-ion battery pack and 80kW AC synchronous motor, which makes 107bhp and 207 lb-ft of torque.
Despite the massive gulf in power between the Leaf and some of the more savage machinery entering this year, the EV does have a very slight advantage. Unlike normal internal combustion engines, the Leaf's electric motor won't suffer from power loss at the higher end of the 12.42-mile course - thinner air strangles an ordinary car's output.
Even then, we reckon it'll have a job beating the current (geddit) 10:04.06 up-the-hill record. We can't even see it getting close to the 13:17.575secs EV record set in 2010 by Japan's Ikuo Hanawa.
Still hungry for more EV action? Watch Jeremy, James and Richard have a go at building their own.
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
StigsIrishCousn commented on this article
at 06:53 pm on 16 June 2011
Bit of a pointless exercise really isn't it? If they used the Nismo version they might have some hope of making electric cars look fast and cool but standard is a bit dull and uninspiring.
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WooDz commented on this article
at 07:12 pm on 16 June 2011
I believe the idea is that Nissan will show that the standard car can take on extreme road and climate conditions, raising awareness of EV capabilities and probably a few eyebrows too.
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Joe_Limon commented on this article
at 08:46 pm on 16 June 2011
I don't think it'll make it, unless the driver doesn't push it very hard...
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mikeylawson commented on this article
at 10:02 pm on 16 June 2011
What are Nissan trying to prove? That electric cars can go up hills? I hope it fails. Miserably.
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FarmerPD commented on this article
at 11:10 pm on 16 June 2011
Ahh well ladies and gents I believe that variety is the spice of life i bet we'll look back on this in 15 years and giggle at the marginal time that it will inevitably post but since I like anything that moves i say go for it Nissan! i will also point out the torque characteristics of electric engines are very interesting and I look forward to seeing the engine evolve in the next couple of years
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