Altima Hybrid Time Attack

On display at this year’s LA Auto Show is a Nissan Altima Hybrid racecar aimed at pleasing the eco-radicals of California, and the folks over at Autoblog Green. The car was first released at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, but the LA crowd is really more up its alley. This Altima is a direct result of the team at Braille Battery pairing up with Nissan North America and Universal Technical Institute. The “Hot Rod Hybrid,” as it’s called, is a construction aimed at competing in the new hybrid/electric class of the Redline Time Attack series. There are also plans to give it a run in the 2009 Cannonball Run/One Lap of America event. We know the car will be in good hands, too. Driver Blake Fuller is experienced with both front- and rear-wheel-drive vehicles, as exemplified by his finishes in the Pike’s Peak hill climb and Formula D drifting events.

The Braille Battery Nissan Altima Hybrid is constructed with great attention to detail. The green eco-friendly DuPont paint initially catches your eye, but the best part can be found once the car passes by you. The exhaust outlets are formed out of leaf silhouettes. No environmentally conscious element on this vehicle is left unturned, even the race seats are a new product from Sparco containing recycled materials. The roof is also topped with battery recharging solar cells. To help the car be competitive on the racetrack, the internal combustion engine is tuned to run on E85 ethanol while being boosted by a Vortech electric supercharger. All in all, it is an intriguing experiment. We look forward to seeing how the car fairs under the wear and tear of many Time Attack battles. More details can be found in the press release after the jump. Also be sure to take a gander at the gallery below for SEMA shots provided by Braille Battery, along with those we captured in LA.


Specs

Specifications and Performance

Nissan Altima Hybrid – Braille Battery “Hot Rod Hybrid” Race Car
Weight 2970.5 pounds (3485 stock)
“Hot Rod Hybrid” System: 2.5 Liter Inline 4 Cylinder – Ethanol E85 Fuel Permanent Magnet AC Synchronous – Braille Battery Powered
“Hot Rod Hybrid” Horsepower* 440 HP
Modifications – Ethanol E85* Vortech Electric Supercharger DCHSEO-P1
Modifications – Electric Drive* Braille Battery Carbon Racing Pack – Phase 1 Experimental
Horsepower Peak – Ethanol E85* 270 HP @ Crank / 270 @ Crank - Estimated
Torque – Electric* 240 lb/ft @ 0 – 1500 rpm, Voltage 650 Volt Max
Battery Charging Regeneration Technology, Solar Panel Charging System
Transmission Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission
Chassis Unitized body construction with TIG Welded 6 Point Racing Cage
Suspension BC Racing Aluminum Coil Over Suspension, Stillen Sway Bar
Brakes Wilwood Lightweight Vented Disk w 4-channel ABS
Seats Sparco “ECO2009” Made from waste materials, FIA Approved
Steering Wheel Sparco 360 Suede Wheel
Wheels Front/Rear: 18 x 9 Enkei Lightweight LF-10 Rims
Tires Front/Rear: 255/40 18" Yokohama Low Rolling Resistance Neova High Performance Tires
Acceleration Quarter Mile* 12.9 sec. @ 109.2 mph estimated
Lateral Acceleration* 1.02 g
Braking: 60-0* 97 feet
Racing Fuel Economy* 35 laps at Sebring vs. 20 Laps at Sebring for Non-Hybrid

  • Unverified Data. Information Calculated on Individual Manufacturers Specifications

Other than that gay ass looking leaf, it doesn’t look all that bad. I like the front end!

I think the exhaust is cool. Very creative.

I dunno’ the leaf just kills it for me really…it’s got an aggressive look to it but then I look at the exhaust tip it screams tree hugger or please hit me…

I want that front end for my Spec V. Pretty cool car though. I actually like the color too.

Got to drive a hybrid Alti at work the other day, nice car. Kinda freakish when you start it up and there is no engine until the car starts to move. Love the push button starter though.

Nissan is a little behind the times. My Dad has a 07 Camery Hybrid. And the motor doesnt kick in until either you punch it ro you go above 60 km/hr. The thing is so quite.