Nissan say the BladeGlider offers a glimpse into the future of the brand's electric vehicle range.
Thankfully for driving enthusiasts, it appears they haven’t forgotten the fun factor, and this weekend they want to prove it.
The original Nissan BladeGlider concept was revealed at the Tokyo Auto show in 2013, but it’s about to face its toughest petrol-blooded crowd yet at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
A select few will be given the chance to drive the prototype as fast as they dare up the iconic course in front of an international audience of millions.
Designed like a “swept wing” aircraft, BladeGlider forms part of Nissan’s wider Intelligent Mobility strategy that aims to redefine how vehicles are driven, powered and integrated into society.
But in reality, BladeGilder is Nissan’s attempt at convincing petrol-heads that electric powertrains can put a smile on your dial with sheer speed and tyre shredding capabilities, the recipe sounds promising.
“Nissan believes that enthusiasts should look forward to a zero emission, and BladeGlider is a perfect demonstration of that,” said Nissan President and CEO, Carlos Ghosn at the BladeGlider launch.
“It’s the electric-vehicle for car lovers”
The full-electric powertrain in the BladGlider was developed by Nissan’s technical partner throughout the two year project, Williams Advanced Engineering, the technology and engineering service side of the Williams F1 team, and the same company that will work with Aston Martin on their first full-electric vehicle.
Drive is delivered exclusively to the rear wheels via two 130kW electric motors, one on each wheel. Power is supplied by a high performance five module lithium-ion 220kW battery stored underneath the driver.
Combined, the powertrain has an output of 200kW and 707Nm of torque.
With a total weight of 1300kg, Nissan say the BladeGlider concept can accelerate from 0 – 100km/h in under five seconds and onto a top speed of over 190km/h.
With a 2800mm wheelbase and a width of only 1850mm, the BladeGlider utilizes torque vectoring to keep understeer at bay.
The interior of the BladeGlider reflects the vehicles’ petrol-head converting intentions, too.
The open roof is reinforced with an roll-over protection structure, providing the same safety and strength of a modern coupe.
Wheel-mounted controls for BladeGlider’s systems feed into a digital display showing speed, battery charge, regeneration mode and torque map.
Look out for Nissan’s BladeGlider laying down black lines and silent smoke clouds this weekend when it's let loose up Goodwood Hill during the Festival of Speed.
