Nissan ZEOD RC Electric Delta-Wing Le Mans Racer Makes History

The Nissan ZEOD RC Le Mans racer is already memorable for lots of different reasons – the skinny front wheels, the revolutionary Delta-wing body and the electric powertrain

– but Nissan has made yet more history with it at the 24 Hours of Le Mans because the electric prototype has no rear view mirrors – leaving the drivers using rear cameras and a radar system to navigate the 13.6km track.

Nissan is the first manufacturer to run a car at Circuit de la Sarthe intentionally with no rear view mirrors. With four different classes and dramatic closing speeds at the Le Mans 24 Hours, drivers need awareness of their surrounding traffic, and rear view mirrors are mandatory for every other entry in the 56-car field.

Instead, the Nissan ZEOD is equipped with a rear-facing camera that Nissan say actually provides a more comprehensive view than the mirrors.

In addition, the car has an inbuilt radar system that not only alerts the drivers about upcoming traffic, but provides further insight on closing speed through large arrows on the screen.

The system is able to differentiate between cars that are closing fast, or those that are staying at a similar distance behind or falling back.

The arrows also change colour depending on closing speed. The systems will be used in practice and qualifying; and in the event of an electrical issue where the driver assist systems cease to operate, the Nissan ZEOD RC would return to the pits and mirrors would be fitted.

The Nissan ZEOD RC is competing at Le Mans this year in ‘Garage 56,’ an additional entry reserved for vehicles demonstrating new and innovative technology previously not seen at the race.

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