Nissan hybrid to race at Le Mans 2014

Nissan's 'Garage 56' entry to next year's Le Mans 24-hour race will be a hybrid capable of racing on electric power alone for short periods, Autocar has learned.

In addition, the car will be designed by the man behind the startling DeltaWing project, Ben Bowlby, and the project will be overseen and run by Ray Mallock's RML operation, which tended the DeltaWing.

"The final configuration of the drivetrain is still up for discussion, but we have made significant progress", said Nissan boss Andy Palmer.

"What is absolutely clear is that that we have to be in a position to showcase electric technology and we have to have a car that is as visually arresting as the DeltaWing."

The Garage 56 entry is reserved by the Le Mans organisers for a car that showcases alternative energy. 

The DeltaWing that competed in last year's race was the first such car. This year a hydrogen fuel cell prototype will race under the GreenGT banner.

Nissan, which brought the Nissan Leaf to market as the first mainstream electric car and which will branch out into plug-in hybridisation from 2016, hopes to highlight its leadership in electrification through the project.