Audi, Toyota, Nissan, are innovative manufacturers in automotive research. Electricity has become, in just a few months, not only an essential source of energy but also a source of inspiration. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Audi opted for a R18 e-tron quattro diesel and two electric motors on the front axle while Toyota's TS030 Hybrid has a petrol engine matched with an electric motor installed in the rear. Thus, with all-electric cars already in our cities, projects are under way on circuit.

On August 12, an electric Toyota P002 set a new record at the hill climb of Pikes Peak (Colorado, USA), taking the one hundred and fifty-six turns in 10:15.380.

On the other side of the Atlantic is Lord Drayson, former Minister of Her Majesty's Government, driver and team owner who announced another project just as crazy: beat the FIA world speed record for a 100% electric car driving a Lola coupe based on the LM P1 prototype he raced at Le Mans in 2010. The car set the new record at over 328 km/h, on Tuesday. Drayson: “I’m delighted we’ve beaten the record tonight and can show the world EVs can be fast and reliable. Drayson Racing is a laboratory for EV technology, testing it to the most extreme level, as we’ve seen today. It is not the outright speed of 204.185mph that is most impressive about this record, but the engineering challenge of accelerating a 1000kg electric vehicle on a short runway over a measured mile. However I’ve got a great team and world-class partners, such as QualcommHalo, Michelin, Multimatic and Cosworth. This is a true celebration of Britain’s leading position within the burgeoning electric vehicle industry and I’m delighted to be at the forefront of this electric revolution. We hope to set more records tomorrow. ”

A Japanese manufacturer unveiled more extraordinary ambitions, Nissan introduced the ZEOD RC, to take 56th pit, reserved for innovative technologies at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014. After DeltaWing created by Ben Bowlby, the British team RML, led by Ray Mallock, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LM P2 class in 2005 and 2006 will be in charge of the project. Ben Bowlby, Director of Innovation at Nissan Motorsport: "The development of this car will break a new important milestone in the electrification of racing cars of the future. Designing such a car is a laboratory test that will find highly effective solutions for the next generation of cars. Throughout the year, we will test different powertrains in an intensive programme. We work in partnership with the ACO, to meet future challenges, the highest level of discipline. "

It is therefore not science fiction but reality. A few years ago, the announcement of the idea of ​​an electric prototype at Le Mans would have been unthinkable. We are indeed at the heart of the future of motor sport in general and endurance racing in particular.

In this video, the technological feat achieved by Drayson Racing. 

For more clips go to : www.lemans-tv.com            

Thierry Arman / ACO