Nissan hits the Nürburgring...in the X-Trail FCV
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the X-Trail FCV on the Nürburgring
What's this? A Nissan-at-the-Nürburgring story that doesn't involve the mighty GT-R? Well, knock us over with a feather. We're accustomed by now of hearing about the GT-R's Nordschleife heroics, so when we saw a Nissan release touting a time of 11 minutes, 58 seconds, we thought, "Huh?" Then we saw that the vehicle recording the time was none other than the new X-Trail FCV. The 11:58 run is a record for a fuel cell vehicle on the graffitti-strewn Green Hell. Of course, it's also the only time a FCV has tackled the legendary circuit, so let's not go all crazy with the champagne just yet. Driver Frank Eickholt says that if the track had been dry, he likely would have recorded a substantially faster time -- perhaps by as much as 40 seconds. In any case, Honda, you now have a target to beat with your FCX Clarity. And GM, you're out on the 'Ring enough as is -- get Heinricy into a Fuel Cell Equinox and see what he can wring out of it. After all, it's not a real record until there's a little competition!
[Source: Nissan]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph 12:18PM (7/25/2008)
This is really silly of Nissan. Obviously they must be doing it to measure performance, and check back later to see their improvement, but on the Nurburgring? That's only for fast cars.
They probably were also doing it for bragging rights. I'm sure the FCX Clarity can beat this though.
Wait a minute, what about the Tesla? Why haven't we heard about the Tesla at the Nurburgring after all this time?
Reply
a.brien 4:33PM (7/24/2008)
Maybe if you drive the tesla at maximum speed all the lenth of this very long track the batteries will overheat.
Reply
BillySharps 8:12PM (7/24/2008)
I'm certain the batteries won't overheat. Drivetrain 1.5 is liquid cooled. The battery pack is also liquid cooled.
Peter 6:48PM (7/24/2008)
That works out to an average speed of nearly 65mph. Meanwhile, a Ford Transit van can average 77mph.
Reply
Joseph 12:22PM (7/25/2008)
a.brien,
The Roadster has been driven by magazines such as Car and Driver and MotorTrend and out very own Sam at ABG, for many , many hours on long, winding roads. If there wasn't any overheating after a three hour drive with a car reviewer, then ten minutes at top speed isn't going to be a problem.
If there was a problem (and it is possible there may be) there wouldn't be a problem for the batteries, I don't think. I think the motor would be the one with a problem. Even at 90% plus efficiency, when you pumps 100s if kws through that tiny motor, alot of heat builds up, and the motor is only air cooled.
Reply
BillySharps 2:16PM (7/25/2008)
NO! Drivetrain 1.5 is liquid cooled.
Baumm III 3:46PM (7/25/2008)
Nurburgring is not only for fast cars, basically it's for fun, to do what you can't on open road. 15 Euro, and the Nurburgring is yours for one lap.
11:58 is definitly slow, I've done it with a Lupo 1.2 TDI (the '3L' or 75 MPG car) in 11:35, and i'm not a pilote
.
Reply
Joseph 12:22PM (7/25/2008)
Baumm III,
Cool! A Lupo 3L owner. Tell me about the car. How many mpg or l/100km do you get in "regular" driving?
Reply
Baumm III 6:00AM (7/28/2008)
The Lupo did 5.5L on highways (yes, this is 100MPH in Europe) and 4.3L/100 in city driving. You can expect 3L/100 only on roads at 55 MPH or so.
Amazing car, now the second hand value goes up since the oil is so expensive.
In 2000 nobody wanted this car, i bought it almost new for 60% if it's value...