Nissan Deltawing set for Le Mans

Originally tipped as a future chassis for the US IndyCar series, when it was known as 'Project 56', the Deltawing has now been given a new competition focus, and a healthy injection of funding, thanks to Nissan. The Japanese manufacturer got on board with the project in March, and will provide the powerplant for the experimental racer. That engine is Nissan's 1.6 litre DIG-T four cylinder.

While producing only 224kW, the direct injection turbocharged engine has only 500kg of car to move in the form of the Deltawing. Being half the weight of existing LMP1 and LMP2-class, the development team expect the Deltawing will be competitive - at least in speed terms - with these vehicles at the French endurance classic.

Despite the expertise behind it, hopes for a win, or even a competitive finish at Le Mans, are slim as the Deltawing is still very much in the infancy of its development. Being an experimental vehicle, it will be ineligible for classification anyway.

The Nissan Deltawing will wear race number '0' at Le Mans and operate out of 'Garage 56', the bay reserved for experimental vehicles. Nissan expect the lessons learned from this project will filter down to future passenger car developments.

The Deltawing was jointly developed by British engineer, Ben Bowlby, US motorsports entrepreneur Don Panoz, former F1 driver Dan Gurney, US-based Highcroft Racing and Michelin Tyres, North America.

The 2012 Le Mans 24 Hour race will take place at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans on June 16 - 17.