Nissan bails out on DeltaWing project

[AZhitman]

From MotorAuthority (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1082 ... er-project):

Though the radically-styled DeltaWing racer wasn’t developed by automaker Nissan, Nissan is the company that most fans associate with the futuristic race car. After all, the DeltaWing has usually sported the Nissan logo on its bodywork, and Nissan provided the 1.6-liter engine (tuned by partner RML) used to power it in 2012.

Now comes word from Fox Sports / Speed TV that the partnership between Nissan and the DeltaWing program is over, effective immediately. News of the breakup follows Tuesday’s announcement that the DeltaWing program will grow to include new engine and chassis configurations, including a closed-cockpit variant that will debut in May.

At next month’s American Le Mans Series 12 Hours of Sebring, the DeltaWing is expected to run with a new twin-turbo 1.9-liter engine, based on the production 2.0-liter Mazda MZR. Look for output to be around 345 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, a gain of nearly 50 horsepower compared to the 1.6-liter Nissan engine used in the 2012 DeltaWing.

Though the split was sudden, it appears to be amiable. Nissan’s director of global motorsports, Darren Cox, wished DeltaWing creator Dr. Don Panoz and his partners the best, saying, “we look forward to supporting their progress from the sidelines at future races.”

As for the reason behind the breakup, Cox’s statement that, “we are committed to developing innovative and exciting cars both on the track and on the road,” seems to sum it up nicely. While the DeltaWing got Nissan plenty of exposure, it was never going to produce a car that Nissan could generate revenue from.

[Dattebayo]

Well at least Nissan likes to fail amicably.

[Bubba1]

I was more surprised that Nissan got involved in the delta wing project in the first place.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Yea I was surprised aswell.^

[bigbadberry3]

Hope the project doesn't just die though.

[krash]

If they had stayed aboard any longer, it could have infected them and caused them to produce less crossovers. We can't be having that

[dre1507]

Exactly, Krash. Nissan without crossovers? I don't think we're ready for that.

[float_6969]

Just another nail in the coffin I'm afraid.

[Bubba1]

Just another nail in the coffin I'm afraid.

Or is it an early sign of waking up from a fog of stupidity? Think about it, what benefit did Nissan derive by paying millions to sponsor a car they did not develop, has no new technology transferrable to road cars, powered by a chevy motor they did not supply? Other than the free advertising from painting their name in big block letters on the side of a car that appeared on TV, it should be considered a waste of money.

[Space Monkey]

Just another nail in the coffin I'm afraid.

Or is it an early sign of waking up from a fog of stupidity? Think about it, what benefit did Nissan derive by paying millions to sponsor a car they did not develop, has no new technology transferrable to road cars, powered by a chevy motor they did not supply? Other than the free advertising from painting their name in big block letters on the side of a car that appeared on TV, it should be considered a waste of money.

What is this Chevy motor you speak of? It used a 1.6L Nissan motor. Basically a modified Juke motor. I believe the suspension tech and designs of the delta wing show much more than people see. Its a whole new concept to a car design. Also i has incredible fuel economy for how fast it is!

Space

[Bubba1]

I read somewhere the engine was built by Ray Mallock Engineering and had both Chevy and Nissan parts. Semantics aside, the engine was not the major focus of the car's design, as seen by the ease that it was replaced when Nissan pulled its funding. The delta wing design is certainly unique for motorsport, but it has little or no practical applications for street use, which is why no other manufacturers are chomping at the bit to jump in.

[sx moneypit]

Here is the article from R&T
http://www.roadandtrack.com/racing/half ... f-a-chance

[Bubba1]

Here is the article from R&T
http://www.roadandtrack.com/racing/half ... f-a-chance

Thank you, sir. A quote from the article:

"The four-cylinder engine that the DeltaWing raced with at Le Mans was billed as a Nissan, but it was built largely from Chevrolet parts by England's Ray Mallock Engineering, which built the fours that won the 2011 World Touring Car Championship in a Chevrolet Cruze. The DeltaWing did, at least, sport a throttle body from a Nissan Juke."

The prosecution rests.

[AZhitman]

Or is it an early sign of waking up from a fog of stupidity? Think about it, what benefit did Nissan derive by paying millions to sponsor a car they did not develop, has no new technology transferrable to road cars, powered by a chevy motor they did not supply? Other than the free advertising from painting their name in big block letters on the side of a car that appeared on TV, it should be considered a waste of money.

Sadly, a lot of this is true. I need to go back and re-read (in the RWD thread) Mr. Palmer's comments about the DeltaWing now (in this new light).