Indeed, Nissan says it has ‘interpreted the rules in an innovative way’, meaning the GT-R LM Nismo will – unusually – be a front-engined, front-wheel drive creation powered by a 3-litre V6 twin turbo engine with a KERS
“It gave us great pride to reveal the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO during the Superbowl,” said Roel de Vries, Nissan’s global head of marketing and brand strategy, “The combination of the Super Bowl and the Le Mans 24 Hours – two of the most watched sporting events in the world – presented us with a unique opportunity to showcase our most ambitious motorsport programme in recent times.
“The GT-R is our flagship road car and this, the ultimate GT-R, continues a sporting bloodline that goes back three decades with NISMO, the motorsport and performance arm of Nissan. Le Mans drives innovation so success on the track will lead to greater innovation in our road car range. We are the new kids at Le Mans – our opponents are the best in the world, but we are ready.”
“This is innovation that excites,” said NISMO president Shoichi Miyatani, “Sustainability is at the top of our agenda and the technical regulations for Le Mans give us the freedom to pursue new ideas in this area. Our record at Le Mans is third place overall, so we have unfinished business there. We want to win and we have the knowledge to do that – for our customers, our employees and our fans. The competition is exceptionally strong and we are excited by the challenge.”
An intensive test programme for the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO began in Arizona last year, and continues this week at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, where the team is making the most of the warmer climate of the southern USA.
Only Marc Gene has been confirmed as a driver so far