Nissan LEAF Backs into the Future
Automaker Nissan informed Monday that its Nissan LEAF has set a record as the fastest car over a measured mile (1.6km) in reverse.
Driven by professional stunt driver Terry Grant, the Nissan LEAF raced backwards up the famous Goodwood hillclimb course at the weekend’s Festival of Speed, covering the distance in 1m 37.02s at an average speed of 88.5km/h (55 mph).
[ Also Read: How to Drive Digital and Social Cars ]Having set the record on Friday, the opening day of the Festival, Terry went on to smash his time on Saturday and Sunday, shaving an amazing 26 seconds off Friday’s time.
Terry, who set a world record at last year’s festival by driving a Nissan Juke up the hill on two wheels, says: “I had a great car at my disposal – with direct drive from the electric motor to its wheels, the Nissan LEAF can, in theory, go as fast backwards as it can forwards There were times I wasn’t sure I was coming or going. However, thanks to the LEAF’s low centre of gravity – the batteries are an integral part of the car’s floor – the car is extremely stable, no matter which direction it’s travelling.
“The only complaint I have is slight neck ache from constantly looking over my shoulder!”
[ Also Read: Nissan Electric Vehicles to Use Solar Power ]The LEAF Reverse Record is part of Nissan’s social media-driven campaign, ‘The Big Turn On’, which is spreading the EV message across Europe using social media channels and aimed to get one million consumers switched onto electric driving, in just 100 days. The one million ‘turn ons’ target was achieved on the 21st June, 15 days ahead of the original target.
