Nissan has announced the engine that they will be installing into their ZEOD race car for the 24 hour Le Mans race and other endurance races. This 1.5L 3 cylinder turbo engine will put out 400 horsepower and 280 pounds of torque with peak power at 7,500 rpm, very impressive for an engine weighing only 88 pounds.

The ZEOD will use a gasoline-electric hybrid electric engine which should put them in good competition with Audi’s R15 e-tron car that won the last 2 24 hour Le Mans races for its class. Nissan also claims that the car can do one lap on full electric power, which will be a help for a race that focuses on fuel economy and speed to lessen pit stops.

Hopefully in the future we will see engines like this being put in production cars. This engine would not be suitable for a production car but if they could use some elements from it and create something new and strong then that could be a good sales boost for Nissan. Everyone would love the have a car that would have great gas mileage and power that can put you back in the seat a bit.