LEAF entered in Pikes Peak Hill Climb: AutoBlog Green

[abasile]

There is no question in my mind that the LEAF has the potential to reach the top of Pikes Peak. So this was probably only a matter of time: http://green.autoblog.com/2011/04/25/unmodified-nissan-leaf-entered-in-pikes-peak-hill-climb-w-video/

 

[mwalsh]

I'm pissed. I wanted to have the first LEAF driven in a sanctioned motorsports event. And since this is on the same day as the Refuel 2011, it'll be down to whichever of us makes it onto the track first. :x

Of course I could go for first LEAF entered in a sanctioned motorsports event. Wonder when this guy put his papers in for the Pike's Peak run?

 

[LTLFTcomposite]

There is no question in my mind that the LEAF has the potential to reach the top of Pikes Peak. So this was probably only a matter of time: http://green.autoblog.com/2011/04/25/unmodified-nissan-leaf-entered-in-pikes-peak-hill-climb-w-video/

If you've ever driven up PP you know that ICE cars, at least normally aspirated ones, are wheezing towards the top. You have to keep some pretty high RPMs just to get enough power with the thin air. An EV would perform as well at 14,000ft as it would at sea level.

The regen on the way back down would be interesting. Remember that old commercial with Florence Henderson? "It all came back except one tablespoon!"

 

[Azrich]

This will be interesting. I imagine they have already tried it before entering this climb on June 26. I know that driving to work each day with a climb of only 450 feet, I see the range drop quickly.

On my attempt up our Mt. Lemmon the range dropped very quickly. This highway begins at 2850 feet and climbs up to 9000 feet. I made it up to 5200 feet, a climb of 2350 feet and went from 90 miles range, down to 34 miles. (This was before the software update.) Coming down was great because the regen brought the range up to 92 miles range at the bottom. I'll be following this Pikes Peak climb.

 

[nater]

this is no problem. honda already did it.

http://electric-vehicles-cars-bikes.blogspot.com/2010/06/pikes-peak-ev-record-smashed-by-45.html

I was at the base of pike's peak with my fully charged RAV4 EV in 2008 when my wife called and wanted me home.

Meh.

Nate

 

[nader]

Battery temps anyone?

 

[Herm]

speaking of battery temps.. has anyone actually seen the temperature indicator move?

 

[Gonewild]

speaking of battery temps.. has anyone actually seen the temperature indicator move?

I have had mine go from 6 bars to 5 on a cold morning.

 

[nader]

I'll be able to see how if there is any change in pack temp at the Re:fuel event in June on the track.

 

[mwalsh]

I'll be able to see how if there is any change in pack temp at the Re:fuel event in June on the track.

You've entered that too? Cool!

 

[palmermd]

it'll be down to whichever of us makes it onto the track first.

Colorado Springs has a 2 hour head start on you.

 

[LEAFer]

it'll be down to whichever of us makes it onto the track first.

Colorado Springs has a 2 hour head start on you.

ONE hour (if all you are considering is the TZ difference)

 

[nader]

I'll be able to see how if there is any change in pack temp at the Re:fuel event in June on the track.

You've entered that too? Cool!

Yup! Hopefully I'll have some modified suspension to test out.

 

[abasile]

speaking of battery temps.. has anyone actually seen the temperature indicator move?

I can't remember the exact battery temperature reading after we climbed all the way up our mountain (http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=3512). It certainly wasn't higher than six or seven bars. Next time we make that trip, I will make a point of recording the temperature readings before and after the climb. We've definitely seen the temperature indicator drop on cold mornings.

 

[mwalsh]

Yup! Hopefully I'll have some modified suspension to test out.

I was just going to settle for stickier tires. Maybe on slightly fatter rims.

 

[mwalsh]

Pictures of the Pike's Peak car (and driver):

 

[nader]

Whoa! Any word on that modified suspension?

 

[mwalsh]

Whoa! Any word on that modified suspension?

I've not read anything contrary to what Nissan has said previously...that this was going to be a completely stock car.

Except, of course, that those wheels aren't stock. And I don't suppose the tires are either. Which are both changes from renderings of the vehilce I've seen previously, which did show the stock wheels and tires. So who knows if there is anything else that is that little bit less than "stock".

But that said, the car doesn't appear to sit any differently than the stock LEAF does.

 

[nader]

That 2nd picture definitely looks lowered to me. A stock leaf would be a bouncy mess!

 

[mwalsh]

That 2nd picture definitely looks lowered to me. A stock leaf would be a bouncy mess!

There is a video up with Chard Hord answering a couple of questions. He does say that there have been some "slight modifications" to the suspension, but he doesn't get into exactly what. Looks like they've tried to lighten the car up some too - just about all the superfluous interior trim looks to have been removed.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUHIHVyISTU[/youtube]