Car
October 20, 2011 | 
Author 
No, you’re not crazy. At the
, Nissan is showing the Leaf NISMO RC—that’s “RC” as in “Racing Challenge.” Obviously, this is no ordinary
with a rear spoiler, but more like a Leaf that whirred over to the NISMO side of Nissan’s design compound after dark—and stayed. Its wheelbase is shorter by 3.9 inches, and a two-door carbon-fiber body with removable front and rear sections was fitted. The sexy new skin is lower by 13.8 inches than the Leaf as we know it. The fenders are filled with 18-inch wheels wrapped in 225/40-18 Bridgestone racing tires, while a double-wishbone suspension leaves just 2.4 inches between the car and the ground versus regular Leaf’s 6.3 inches. The result is a car that weighs only 2058 pounds, according to Nissan—that’s some 40-percent less than the production version.
The NISMO Leaf’s lithium-ion battery pack and 80-kW AC synchronous motor are shared with the production Leaf, but ride amidships now and direct power to the rear wheels instead of the fronts. With a 0-to-62-mph time of 6.9 seconds, it is much, much quicker than the regular Leaf, which, in our testing, needed 10 seconds to get to 60. Top speed is relatively unchanged, at 93 mph, compared to 92 for the real Leaf. But let’s keep things in perspective here: a V-6 Camry could still blow this thing away.
20-Minute Races, or 30-Minute Pit Stops?
Races involving NISMO Leafs would either be short—Nissan projects that the Leaf NISMO RC’s running time is about 20 minutes under racing condition—or have very long pit stops: the battery can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity in 30 minutes using a quick-charging port in the rear, instead of the stock Leaf’s location in the nose. And with no blaring exhaust sounds, any Leaf races also would be eerily quiet.
Next up for the NISMO Leaf is a series of planned appearances at various motorsports venues in 2011. Nissan hints that it is somewhat serious about a zero-emission racing series. That would be a great way for Nissan to add some sex appeal to the Leaf, which needs all the sex appeal it can get. Just don’t bother bringing your earplugs.
Article source: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/11q2/nissan_leaf_nismo_rc_concept-auto_shows
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Earth-Friendly tips for motorists to help you go green. You can green up your driving with these helpful car maintenance suggestions.
(NewsUSA) – Some day, hydrogen-powered vehicles may be commonplace, but in the meantime, motorists who want to go “green” don’t have to change vehicles to help the environment. The experts at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), a non-profit organization founded in 1972 to improve the quality of automotive service and repair, say that drivers simply need to change a few habits. “Regular vehicle maintenance and better driving habits are two strategies that virtually every vehicle owner can embrace,” notes Martin Lawson, editorial director at ASE. The following tips from ASE can put you on the road to environmentally conscious care today:
* Keep the engine running at peak performance. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Replace filters and fluids as recommended in the manual.
* Keep tires properly inflated and aligned. Inflated tires reduce the engine’s effort and gasoline consumption.
* Find a good technician. Ask friends for recommendations. Check the reputation of the repair shop with your local consumer group. Check out the technicians’ credentials. ASE-certified auto technicians have passed one or more national exams in specialties such as engine performance and air conditioning. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact areas of certification. Their employers often display the ASE sign.
* Have your vehicle’s air conditioner serviced only by a technician certified to handle and recycle refrigerants. Older air conditioners contain ozone-depleting chemicals, which could be released into the atmosphere through improper service.
* Avoid speeding and sudden accelerations; both habits guzzle gas. When waiting for friends or family, shut off the engine. Consolidate daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving.
* Remove excess items from the vehicle. Less weight means better mileage. Remove that rooftop luggage carrier after vacations to reduce air drag.
* If you do your own repairs, properly dispose of engine fluids and batteries. Some repair facilities accept these items. Or call your local government for information.
Visit www.ase.com for more seasonal car care tips and for information about the benefits of using ASE-certified technicians for auto repairs and service.