Nissan’s mirrorless at Le Mans

Nissan’s electric prototype makes Le Mans history – running with no rear view mirrors.

Japanese giant Nissan has become the first manufacturer of the modern era to run a car at Circuit de la Sarthe intentionally with no rear view mirrors – mandatory for every other entry in the 56-car field.

The revolutionary Nissan ZEOD RC took part in a Le Mans test day with drivers Wolfgang Reip and Tommy Erdos.

The ZEOD is equipped with a rear-facing camera that arguably provides a more comprehensive view than standard mirrors.

The car also has an in-built radar system that not only alerts the drivers about upcoming traffic, but provides further insight on closing speed through large arrows on the screen.

The removal of the mirrors also helps reduce overall drag on the Nissan ZEOD RC.

The rear view mirror was actually developed through motorsport with the inaugural Indianapolis 500 winner Ray Haroun using a mirror for the first time in 1911 aboard his Marmon Wasp.

The electric prototype has also recorded the highest ever speed by an electric vehicle at Le Mans with Japanese ace Satoshi Motoyama reaching 300kmh on the Mulsanne Straight in qualifying.