(April 18, 2011) Hoping to show that electric can be cool, Nissan will show off a Leaf race car called the Leaf NISMO RC at the New York Auto Show opening this week.

The name on the back panel, just under the adjustable rear wing, says Nissan Leaf. The powertrain is an 100 percent zero emission advanced Lithium-ion battery design, just like that found on the company's mass market electric vehicle.

And despite its lack of rear doors, rear seat, trunk, audio system, navigation, carpeting and other amenities, there is a discernable family resemblance.

But that is where the similarities between the production Nissan Leaf and the Nissan Leaf NISMO RC end. As indicted by the “RC” — for Racing Competition — this new electric vehicle, which makes its world debut at the 2011 New York International Auto Show at press days on Wednesday, is purpose-built to bring new meaning to the term “Racing Green.”

Already a leader in zero emission production vehicles with the late 2010 launch of the Nissan Leaf passenger vehicle in the United States, Europe and Japan, Nissan is now looking at the racing world as a way to draw attention to the seemingly untapped potential of electric vehicles.

“Combining the talents of NISMO, Nissan’s motorsports group, and engineers behind some of the company’s Super GT and FIA GT1 race teams, the Nissan Leaf NISMO RC will serve as a rolling laboratory for the accelerated development of EV and aerodynamic systems, as well as a platform for the development of new green motorsports series,” said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas, speaking at the New York International Auto Show.

The new electric race vehicle will likely make a series of special demonstration appearances at various motorsports venues in 2011, with the company exploring pioneer zero emission competition spec series in future years.

The Nissan Leaf NISMO RC is designed and constructed as a real racing machine, starting with its full carbon fiber monocoque bodywork. The three-piece bodywork includes removable front and rear sections, fixed windows, LED headlights and taillights and driver-adjustable rear wing.

Like the production Nissan Leaf, the NISMO RC is powered by a lithium-ion battery composed of 48 compact modules and a high-response 80kW AC synchronous motor that generates 107 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. It can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity in 30 minutes using the quick charging port located inside the rear cowl. And unlike other competition vehicles, the NISMO RC has no tailpipe, no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse gases while being driven, and no exhaust sound.

In preliminary testing the NISMO RC produces 0 to 62 mph acceleration in 6.85 seconds and a top speed of 93 miles per hour. It is projected to have a running time of around 20 minutes under racing conditions.

“There’s a perception among some people that electric vehicles fall on the dull side of the automotive enthusiasm scale — which is certainly not the case with either the production Nissan Leaf or this electrifying Nissan Leaf NISMO RC,” added Tavares.