It's being described as the most radical motorsport project of our time and it's making an appearance at the legendary Le Mans 24 Hour race on 16 and 17 June this year.
Nissan is a founding partner and engine supplier in this project, dubbed Nissan DeltaWing, and even though this radical machine will not be classified in this year's race, the project will aim to showcase what could be the technological future of motorsport.
A race-prepared 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, featuring direct petrol injection and a turbocharger, will power the Nissan DeltaWing, which is half the weight and has half the aerodynamic drag of a conventional racer.
Despite its modest size, the engine is expected to produce around 225kW, enough to post lap times between those of the LMP1 and LMP2 machines at Le Mans, despite having only half the power.
The DeltaWing is unlike any other racing car currently on track. The driver sits well back in the car, almost over the rear axle and looks ahead down a long, narrow fuselage to narrow twin front tyres, specially created for the car by tyre partner Michelin.
With a rear-mounted engine, the car has a strong rearward weight bias, which makes it highly manoeuvrable, while its light weight and slippery shape make it far more efficient.
Its innovative design and forward-looking technology have encouraged the organisers of the Le Mans 24 Hours to invite the car to run in this year's race from 'Garage 56', the spot in the pitlane reserved for experimental cars.
The first two Nissan DeltaWing drivers to be confirmed are British Sportscar racer Marino Franchitti and Nissan's reigning FIA GT1 World Champion Michael Krumm. The car will make its first public demo laps at Sebring, Florida, on Thursday, March 15.