Nissan's Le Mans return influenced by 2012 DeltaWing success
Last year's Nissan DeltaWing project proved crucial in the Japanese manufacturer's decision to return to the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2014 with an experimental electric car
Nissan global motorsport director Darren Cox, the architect of the brand's involvement with the DeltaWing, said that last year's project was vital in proving the value of the 'Garage 56' grid spot reserved for cars showcasing environmentally-friendly technology.
"This wouldn't have happened without DeltaWing; we wouldn't have had the confidence to go into this project and people wouldn't have realised the value of 'Garage 56'," said Cox.
"That is probably the biggest impact DeltaWing had on this project. It showed people what could be done."
Cox said that conception of the electric Nissan, which has already been confirmed as the 'Garage 56' entry for Le Mans in 2014, began straight after last year's 24 Hours.
"In terms of the theory and the thought process, it started the day after Le Mans in 2012; when it actually became this project is a bit more difficult to pinpoint," he said.
Nissan stepped in as the engine supplier and then major backer of the DeltaWing early last year. It effectively took over the project, placing the car with the British RML organisation.
Nissan has stated that it hopes to be able to use the electric vehicle technology it will pioneer at Le Mans in 2014 in the LMP1 category at some point in the future.
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