Late last week, Nissan took the covers off its ZEOD RC electric Le Mans prototype, which it plans to field as a ‘Garage 56’ experimental entry in next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Nissan revealed the car on the eve of the sixth round of the 2013 World Endurance Championship at Fuji Speedway in Japan and was given some time to take the revolutionary race car out on the track during the race weekend.

Behind the wheel was German racing driver Michael Krumm who is helping to evaluate the car’s performance ahead of its Le Mans appearance. The car ended up performing three demonstration runs at Fuji Speedway, some of which is captured in the video above.

The ZEOD RC will complete an entire 8.5 mile lap of Le Mans next year on pure electric power at speeds in excess of 186 mph. It should also be able to lap the famous French circuit faster than existing LM GTE cars thanks to its aerodynamic shape and low weight.

When running on its internal combustion engine, believed to be a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder, the ZEOD RC will recharge its battery using regenerative braking. In essence, the car is a plug-in hybrid.

The car will now head to the U.K. to continue its testing and development program. Nissan plans to use the ZEOD RC program to develop technologies for its planned LMP1 assault, which may happen as early as 2015.

Below is a second video featuring Krumm discussing driving the ZEOD RC with Nissan executive vice president Andy Palmer.

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