A while ago Nissan announced its partnership with French team Signature Group to form the Signatech Nissan. That marks the return of the Japanese brand to Le Mans racing. Nissan just released more pictures and details of the new LMP2 race car.
The open-cockpit LMP2-class sports car prototype is powered by a NISMO-prepared 3.4-liter racing versions of the Japanese auto manufacturer’s VK series of V-8 engines. This same engine architecture serves as the basis for the refined and powerful V-8 units found in such popular vehicles as the Nissan Titan, Armada and Pathfinder.
The new Nissan will be driven by Soheil Ayari – a veteran GT and open-wheel racer with a magical ability to overtake – and F3 and Le Mans Series racer Franck Mailleux, plus the Nissan and PlayStation GT Academy competition winner Lucas Ordoñez from Spain.
The Signatech Nissan racing team will contest the entire 2011 season of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) series. Noteworthy events on the 7-race schedule include Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1000 Km of Spa-Francorchamps and a return to U.S. soil for the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta on Saturday, October 1, 2011.
“Nissan is excited to see our new partnership with Signature kick off and we look forward to a very successful partnership with the team,” said Jon Brancheau, Vice President Marketing Nissan. “I know our customers, fans and dealers will be following our progress at Sebring and will be anticipating our return to the Le Mans 24 hours.”
“We are delighted to team up with such an innovative car manufacturer,” said Philippe Sinault, the CEO of Signature Group. “Nissan’s engine expertise will be crucial to the overall performance of the car, and we are sure this partnership will be highly successful.”
