| First Drive | West Sussex, England | Nissan LEAF Nismo RC |
Key Facts
Pricing: N/A
Engine: 80kW AC synchronous motor
Transmission: rear-wheel drive
Rivals: none as yet...
CO2 emissions: 0g/km
Range: circa 20 minutes
Top speed: 93mph
0-62mph: 6.8 secs
Power: 107bhp
Torque: 207lb.ft
In the Metal: 
The RC part of the Nissan LEAF is apt here, as although it stands for Racing Competition it could just as easily read radio-controlled because of the car's barmy appearance. The low and wide stance, massive rear wing and simple shape echo that of remote-controlled cars, as the LEAF Nismo RC's looks offer only a tenuous link with its road car relative.
That's not to take away from the seriousness of the project. Nissan describes the LEAF Nismo RC as a 'rolling laboratory' for its future electric drivetrain technology. It's a very serious racer too, with double wishbone suspension all round, carbon-fibre construction and a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout for the electric drivetrain. The cabin is pure racer, which means six-point harnesses, a roll cage and simple instruments.
Driving it:
Like every electric car we've driven the start up process is a disappointment. More so when you're sat in such a focussed, racing environment. The flick of a switch doesn't have the cabin buzzing with mechanical energy, instead it merely lights up the instruments.
Press the accelerator and the LEAF Nismo RC comes to life. It's not startlingly quick, but your opinion changes when you consider it's only packing 107bhp. The 40 percent reduction in weight helps here, as does the electric motor's 207lb.ft of torque, but the LEAF Nismo RC tops out at just 93mph. At Goodwood that's a problem, because it's a fast, sweeping circuit, and the LEAF RC's wide stance, low weight and Bridgestone racing tyres make for easily carried speed. There's little need to use the brakes, as the regenerative effect from the motor proving useful when you require a confidence lift.
The steering is quick and light, while the mid-mounted engine gives excellent weight distribution and good balance in the corners. However, such is the available grip and relative lack of performance on offer it's unlikely that you'd ever find its limits of adhesion in the dry. At Goodwood it's easy to see the RC's 93mph top speed, the run through Madgwick and through Fordwater is possible flat out the whine of the motor and wind rushing by isn't quite as stirring as a conventional racer. A few more mph would make it interesting, though it'd inevitably dent the already limited 20 minute running time. Range anxiety rears its head again, but at least with a racing car you're never going to be too far from recovery and the pitlane.
What you get for your Money:
The prototype and rolling laboratory status means putting a number on this electric racer is difficult. Nissan could probably build you one, but we're guessing you'd need to be prepared to spend north of £250,000. Thank the exotic carbon fibre monocoque tub and body panels for that. Best leave it to Nissan then, the company intent on building four more to join the two existing cars for demonstration purposes - or some quiet, 15 minute racing.
Worth Noting
The only real link with its road relative is the batteries and the motor. Everything else is bespoke. Not only is it mid-engined and rear-wheel drive, but the wheelbase is shorter, the body is longer and it's significantly wider. It's a two-door car, too, so the LEAF Nismo RC only really a LEAF by name.
Summary
Virtually silent when it rushes by, the Nissan LEAF Nismo RC is a racing oddity. It's fun behind the wheel, even with its relatively low performance, but it's too quiet for people watching to get excited about. The range remains an issue too, with just 20 minutes of driving possible between charges. As a test bed, though, it's good to see that those behind electric cars know, and want, to have fun. Which can only be a good thing.
