Nissan will take to the Goodwood Festival of Speed (June 29 - July 1) with world records in mind. Its Nismo prepared LEAF RC will attempt to become the quickest EV along Lord March's driveway, but it is the standard LEAF road car that will likely attract the most attention.
That is because Nissan will attempt to enter the Guinness Book of Records for the fastest time over a mile - in reverse. According to Nissan, the LEAF is theoretically capable of the same 145km/h top speed in reverse as it is going forwards and cites the low centre of gravity (due to the location of the batteries) as endowing the LEAF with the stability required to complete the challenge. Despite this, professional stunt driver Terry Grant - who last year drove a Nissan Juke up the Goodwood hillclimb course on two wheels - is still apprehensive about the challenge ahead... or should that be behind him.
"The LEAF Reverse Record isn't going to be easy and will be very challenging. I'd prefer to do it on a nice straight and level strip of tarmac rather than on Lord March's drive. The hill not only climbs, but is also full of twists, turns and obstacles. It's a hugely technical test of speed and concentration."
The attempt is part of Nissan's ambitious social media-driven campaign, The Big Turn On, which is spreading the EV message across Europe.