In preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, the Zeod RC’s carbon-fiber shell was slammed into a solid wall to test crashworthiness. Impact speed wasn’t listed, though F1 cockpits are tested at approximately 33 mph.
The chassis nose shatters upon contact with the wall, exploding into a cloud of resin and carbon debris, however the tub surrounding the driver remains intact.
The design must meet FIA regulations related to deceleration, absorbing enough energy to minimize g-force on the driver without compromising the integrity of the cockpit.
The Zeod RC hybrid racecar relies on a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine that weighs just 88 pounds but produces 400 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. An electric motor provides extra power, though the Nismo team has been less forthcoming with specific details surrounding the electric drivetrain.
The hybrid system will be put to the test next month in France for the annual endurance race.
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