Skip advert
Advertisement

Le Mans 24 Hours: Five race cars that rocked the boat - Page 2

Many cars have pushed the boundaries of what's possible at Le Mans - this selection more than most

Hybrid technology slipped into Le Mans racing without much consternation, but the story was different when Audi first entered a diesel in the 2006 event. The principle behind the decision was sound – a broad power band and reduced fuel consumption – but for fans on the sidelines Audi’s cars would be drowned out by everything else on the circuit.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Not that Audi had dropped in any old 2-litre TDI, nor even the 3.7-litre V6 of the current R18 e-tron quattro. A 5.5-litre V12 TDI took centre stage, developing around 650bhp and even equipped with a pair of diesel particulate filters to reduce the large clouds of diesel smoke that would otherwise emerge in every acceleration zone.

Audi was no stranger to success at Le Mans, having won five previous times with the petrol-powered R8. But diesel cemented the company’s reputation at the circuit and set a trend unbroken to this day – since 2006, a diesel engine has taken the top spot of the podium at every running of the race.

Nissan ZEOD RC – first all-electric Le Mans lap

The Nissan ZEOD RC – for ‘Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car’ – is one of the most unusual creations ever entered at Le Mans, competing as the experimental ‘Garage 56’ entry in 2014. Spawned from the Deltawing racer – itself not exactly conventional – it took the concept further with a closed cockpit layout and, uniquely, a strong focus on electric power.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

While not a dedicated electric vehicle, the ZEOD RC’s mission statement was impressive: complete a full lap of Le Mans on electric power alone, and achieve over 300km/h (186mph). It succeeded on both fronts, but unfortunately retired with a gearbox issue early in the race, before its long-term potential could be explored.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In reality, the ZEOD was a hybrid. Behind the cockpit was a 1.6-litre, turbocharged petrol engine. Paired with an electric motor, the car could complete around eleven laps of the 8.47-mile Le Mans circuit, which was enough for regenerative braking energy to replenish the battery pack for an all-electric lap.

Nissan GT-R LM Nismo – front-wheel drive

There’s nothing new about the concept of a front-wheel-drive vehicle at Le Mans – there were sporadic entries throughout the early years of the sport; one of the best known is the Mini Marcos that finished the race in 1966.

But entering a front-wheel-drive car in the mid-engined-dominated LMP1 class is a different matter. Mid-engined cars are prevalent in top-level motorsport for very good reason: the layout is ideal for the balance needed to go quickly around a race circuit.

The concept behind the GT-R LM, another of Ben Bowlby’s creations (see the ZEOD RC above), is that a car can be equally fast if that balance is proportional to aerodynamics and mechanical grip. The front of the Nismo is, theoretically at least, more optimal than those of the mid-engined cars. The front tyres are wider to assist traction, and clever differentials handle the 1250bhp output available with full flywheel assistance. How will it fare? We’ll have found out in less than a week’s time…

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The new Peugeot 9X8 Le Mans car has been revealed – and it now has a rear wing
Peugeot 9X8 – front
News

The new Peugeot 9X8 Le Mans car has been revealed – and it now has a rear wing

The 9X8 will compete in the Le Mans Hypercar class this year, sporting a heavily revised aero philosophy
25 Mar 2024
Alpine is gunning for Le Mans glory with its A424 Hypercar
Alpine A424 Hypercar – front
News

Alpine is gunning for Le Mans glory with its A424 Hypercar

Alpine returns to endurance racing’s top table in 2024, and development of its new Hypercar is well underway
23 Oct 2023
Glickenhaus to concentrate on road cars following Le Mans exit
Glickenhaus 007
News

Glickenhaus to concentrate on road cars following Le Mans exit

Indie sportscar team moves focus to its road car line-up as it says farewell to Le Mans
18 Oct 2023
Aston Martin targets 2025 Le Mans glory with Valkyrie race car
Aston Martin Valkyrie Le Mans car – front
News

Aston Martin targets 2025 Le Mans glory with Valkyrie race car

The Aston Martin Valkyrie will enter the Le Mans Hypercar class in 2025, competing against the likes of Porsche, Ferrari and BMW
4 Oct 2023
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024