Currently reading: New York motor show 2011: Nissan Leaf Nismo

Nissan's electric Leaf racer features a mid-mounted battery pack and rear wheel drive set-up

Nissan has revealed its electric Nissan Leaf Nismo RC racer at the New York motor show.

The 'hardcore' EV manages the 0-62mph sprint in 6.9 seconds, down from 11.9 seconds despite retaining the standard car’s 107bhp electric motor.

See the official pic of the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC - now with New York show pics

Top speed is also boosted to 93mph and under race conditions, the Nismo should be good for a running time of 20mins.

Structurally, the Nismo RC sits more than 300mm lower, is 150mm wider and has a wheelbase 75mm shorter than the standard Leaf.

Weight has been reduced by 40 per cent by switching to a carbonfibre monocoque and ditching much of the interior.

Other differences between standard and race-spec include the Nismo’s mid-mounted battery pack for better weight distribution as well as a rear wheel drive set up, compared with the standard version’s front wheel drive layout.

Nissan Americas chairman Carlos Tavares said: “There's a perception that electric vehicles fall on the dull side of the automotive enthusiasm scale − which is certainly not the case with this electrifying Leaf Nismo RC.”

Read Autocar's first drive review of the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC

With the race model, Nissan is considering a zero emission race series in the future.

See all the latest Nissan reviews, news and video

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