Total extends Nissan partnership
Total, distributed in Ireland by Finol Oils, is extending its partnership with Nissan to include Nissan Genuine Oils, and the development of the marque’s new innovative prototype; the ZEOD RC , which will compete at legendary Le Mans 24 Hours race on June 14-15.
Nissan has joined forces with Total on the “Zero Emissions on Demand Racing Car” – the ZEOD RC.
“Being chosen by a car manufacturer as a technological partner to achieve a demonstration of innovation, is always a source of pride, especially on this legendary race – 24 Hours of Le Mans,” says Philippe Girard, Technical and Scientific Advisor at Total.
He added: “We must of course be slightly more imaginative, think outside the box, it drives our researchers to find solutions and get the most out of the technical specifications.”
The most demanding race in the world
The first chapter of this great story will take place in June 2at the Le Mans 24 Hours, the starting point of a new and exciting motorsports adventure for Nissan and Total.
ZEOD RC is in effect the guest of honour at this year’s Le Mans and will take Garage 56, the pit box reserved for innovation, research and prototypes that herald the cars of the future.
The Nissan ZEOD RC will become the first prototype taking part at this celebrated race to complete a full lap of the 13.629km La Sarthe track relying on an electric engine, with performance equivalent to the fastest GTE-spec entrants. TOTAL’s products will contribute indirectly to this performance due to their economical use of energy, which is a huge asset that will allow ZEOD to store the maximum electrical energy in its batteries during laps preceding those at full electrical power.
A technological partnership for innovation
Innovative in terms of electric motorisation, the Nissan prototype will also push forward the standards of performance and efficiency of thermal engines. The Nissan DIG-T R 1.5 litre three-cylinder turbo engine – which will operate in tandem with the electric drive system while the latter is charging – weighs just over 40 kilograms and develops 400 horsepower; a record ratio of 10bhp per kilo.
It’s not by chance that Nissan has chosen Total fuel and lubricants to support their car’s development and maximise the efficiency of its state-of-the-art powertrain.
Products at the forefront of technology
With lubricants designed and developed by Total’s research teams to optimize vehicle performance, Total contributes significantly to the ZEOD RC’s embedded technology.
Indeed, the role of lubricant is to protect the engine, avoiding wear and deposits, but it also includes reducing friction in all areas of the vehicle’s powertrain; engine, gearbox, transmission, bearings. This is to prevent heat loss and therefore energy loss, and enhance the transition of power to the track and its storage in batteries in electrical form. Energy economy and recovery are two key points of the ZEOD RC concept, and Total lubricants therefore play a significant role in ensuring the full potential of this all-new sports car.
Environmentally aware, Total already offers ‘Fuel Economy’ lubricants which help reduce CO2 emissions and optimize engine performance. The R&D laboratory teams that work on these products are the same that study and devise lubricant formulae for the ZEOD RC. This is how Total provides its partners with the best technology, and also creates solutions and innovations that you’ll see on the vehicles of tomorrow.