This Pikes Peak prepared Nissan is not a standard Leaf EV after the Samurai Speed racing firm converted the hatchback into an aero-focused hillclimb monster set to tackle the 19,99 km high altitude course.
In preparation for the 100th running of the Pikes Peak hillclimb which will be happening on the 26th of June, Samurai Speed has taken the Leaf EV and modified it to contend the historic and prestigious event. Less than a week away now, Samurai Speed along with many other teams have revealed their contender for the event, this time around the Japanese racing firm will have a Nissan Leaf in their arsenal and like most of the cars that take to the course, this is far from stock.
No official statement has been made on its performance statistics however the firm has stated that they have been “making use of the knowledge gained from the experience of participating in the race, focusing on weight reduction.” To do this, the model was converted into a two-door configuration while weight saving methods of construction were employed as extensively as possible. As seen in the images, the Pikes Peak prepared Nissan also boasts some serious aero bits which include a front spoiler, skirts, rear wing and diffuser.
Driver Takashi Oi will pilot the EV up the hill which has a current record set by an electric vehicle; the VW I.D. R that managed a time of 7:57.148. It is unlikely that this Leaf will contend for overall victory considering Volkswagen’s creation was purpose built and expertly driven, however we can expect its instantaneous torque and lack of hindrance by the altitude to make it an unexpected competitor to some high powered conventionally driven contenders.
