Comparing a racer with a street-legal sports model is not that relevant, for neither of the two categories of vehicles. Furthermore, matching an EV racecar up against a gasoline sports car is even more far-fetched. Nevertheless, some of the most interesting reviews are those that don’t seem to make sense at a first glance.
Take this one, for example, that pits the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC prototype racer against the Nissan 370Z Nismo road car. Auto Express magazine tested the two cars on an improvised track, using the same racing driver – Jann Mardenborough, winner of the 2011 Nissan GT Academy.
A quick look at the specs would lead most to believe that the Leaf Nismo RC doesn’t stand a chance against the 370Z Nismo. The road car has 350 hp and 276 lb-ft (374 Nm) of torque from a 3.7-liter V6 engine, while weighing 1,610 kg (3,549 lbs). With 107hp and 280Nm (207 lb-ft) of torque, the electric prototype has less than a third the power output of the 370Z and 25 percent less torque. However, it only weighs 938 kg (2,068 lbs).
Scroll down to see how this puzzle gets put together.
By Dan Mihalascu
VIDEO