Nissan will leverage Formula E racing to catalyze advancements in its next-gen electric performance vehicles.
Nissan has announced a bold new strategy to revamp its Nismo division, focusing on the development of high-performance electric car prototypes. The automaker plans to leverage technology from its Formula E racing efforts to create new Nismo electric vehicles that are significantly more performance-focused than current models.
The company's plans involve developing prototypes based on conventional chassis but powered by dual-motor setups similar to those used in Nissan's Formula E race cars. This strategy is aimed at bringing track-derived electric powertrain advancements into Nismo's street-legal high-performance electric cars.
At the heart of this transformation is the Formula E Gen4 powertrain, capable of producing up to about 789-800 hp. The next generation of Formula E powertrains, designed for the 2026/2027 season, is expected to push both performance and efficiency boundaries. These innovations will then trickle down into future Nismo high-performance EVs.
Tommaso Volpe, Head of Nissan's Formula E operations, discussed plans for connecting the racing division with Nismo, Nissan's performance car division. Volpe noted that this collaboration would mark a new level of collaboration between motorsport and road car development at Nissan.
The Gen4 Formula E cars will also feature all-wheel drive, aligning with Nissan's experience in developing AWD electric systems. The all-wheel drive feature is a result of a strong push by Nissan and other manufacturers in the Formula E series.
Nissan's Formula E team is being utilized for the development of high-performance electric cars. Key to this strategy is the creation of prototypes based on a normal chassis to enhance the performance of electric cars for Nissan's Nismo division. Any future prototype from Nissan could use the same basic dual-motor setup as the current Formula E race car.
This strategy positions Nissan to blend motorsport innovation with consumer electric vehicles, aiming to revitalize Nismo with truly exciting, race-bred electric models. The peak power output of the Gen4 Formula E cars, as part of the 2026/2027 season, is expected to be roughly 789 bhp.
Current Nismo EVs like the Ariya Nismo do not yet reflect this performance-focused approach, but future halo models are expected to benefit from Formula E development. This move is part of Nissan's efforts to re-establish its identity in the electric vehicle market.
In summary, Nissan is actively exploring the development of high-performance electric cars, leveraging its Formula E racing technology to create electric performance prototypes that could serve as platforms for future Nismo EVs. The company aims to transfer cutting-edge race technology from Formula E directly into street cars, potentially re-establishing its identity in the electric vehicle market with truly exciting, race-bred electric models.
- Nissan intends to develop high-performance electric cars for its Nismo division, using technology from its Formula E racing division.
- The Formula E Gen4 powertrain, capable of producing up to about 789-800 hp, will be utilized in the development of Nismo's high-performance electric cars.
- Nissan's strategy involves creating prototypes based on a normal chassis, incorporating dual-motor setups similar to those used in Nissan's Formula E race cars.
- The collaboration between Nissan's Formula E racing division and Nismo, its performance car division, aims to blend motorsport innovation with consumer electric vehicles, revitalizing Nismo with truly exciting, race-bred electric models.
