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NEWS
DeltaWing backed by Nissan
Nissan continues its involvement in endurance racing with a sign-on to the DeltaWing project at Le MansAfter a successful return to endurance racing last year, Nissan is furthering its involvement by becoming founding partner of the DeltaWing experimental racecar. More precisely, Nissan will supply the motive power to the odd-shaped car via its 1.6-litre direct injection and turbocharged four-cylinder engine for its campaign at the Le Mans 24 Hour race in June.
The engine is applied to the Nissan Juke DIG-T (for direct injection gasoline turbo) but rather than the Juke's 140kW tune, the DeltaWing will utilise the engine's anticipated 300 horsepower. The unit weighs 70kg and peak power is around 8000rpm. Transmission is via a five-speed manual (weighing just 33kg) with sequential paddle shift while the differential incorporates a torque vectoring system.
All up the composite structure car weighs 475kg; overall length is 4.65m and width is 2.0m.Wheelbase measures 2.90m.
The DeltaWing designer, Ben Bowlby, said: "Nissan has provided us with our first choice engine. It's a spectacular piece. We've got the engine of our dreams: it's the right weight, has the right power and it's phenomenally efficient." The car was built by the All American Racers outfit, run by champ Dan Gurney.
While at Le Mans the car will take up Garage 56 which is reserved by race organisers, Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) for projects or experimental entries willing to run unclassified.
The DeltaWing resembles a land speed record car with narrow front end and most weight at the rear. Weight distribution is 27.5:72.5 and the front end's ‘balance' is maintained by a dual tyre measuring 4.0/23.0 R15 specially produced for the car by Michelin. The makers claim 76 per cent of the aerodynamic downforce acts on the rear of the car which has a lift-to-drag ratio of >5.0.
At this stage two drivers have been arranged to compete at Le Mans: Sportscar racer Marino Franchitti and Nissan's reigning FIA GT1 World Champion Michael Krumm.
Darren Cox, Director of Nissan Europe said benefits of his company's involvement include further development of engine downsizing through direct injection and turbocharging. The torque vectoring system also interests the company.
"The gearbox electronics are extremely innovative," he said. "The car can run a torque vectoring system which is unusual on a racecar -- normally it's banned but this car is outside the [ACO's] rules and regulations so we can use this technology which is relevant to our road cars."
Cox also said Nissan was currently reviewing its motorsport activity and suggested that his outfit would be investigating the competition in the endurance series' top category, LMP1. Last year, Nissan managed a managed a one-two finish in the LMP2 category with the Signatech and Greaves teams.
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Written byMelissa McCormick
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