NISMO Announces VK45DE LMP2 Engine, Partners With Zytek Motorsports

NISMO’s VK45DE powerplant, which has had huge success in the SuperGT series powering the Nissan GT-R to a championship in 2008, will be installed in LMP2 class race cars from 2011 and on. NISMO has partnered up with Zytek Motorsport, a noted Formula 1 engine builder, with Zytek taking responsibility for servicing and maintaining all the engines.

“Zytek Motorsport is delighted to enter into this partnership with Nissan Motorsports International. We firmly believe that this collaboration between these two excellent brands is going to produce competitive and reliable products. It is an honour to work with a manufacturer of the standing and reputation of Nismo and we look forward to a long and successful partnership,” said John Manchester, Zytek Motorsport’s Operations Director.

Official press release available after the break.

PRESS RELEASE

NISMO LMP2 engine launched

Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd. (Head office at Minami-Oi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Shoichi Miyatani, “NISMO”) announces the launch of the NISMO-prepared NISSAN VK45DE (4.5L naturally-aspirated V8) engine, developed to comply with the 2011 ACO LMP2 regulations*.

The VK45DE for LMP2 is an evolution of the VK45DE which was originally developed for GT500 cars in the Japanese SUPER GT series, and its performance, durability, and reliability are race proven as it has recorded a number of victories and ultimately won the championship with the NISSAN GT-R in 2008.

The NISMO LMP2 engine can be installed in a variety of the new LMP2 chassis, including those from Ginetta-Zytek, Lola, OAK Pescarolo, and Oreca.

To offer the VK45DE LMP2 engines to privateer teams in Europe and to efficiently provide swift customer support for the 2011 season and beyond, NISMO has entered into a partnership with Zytek Motorsports Ltd (Repton, Derbyshire, UK).

Zytek will assemble engines precisely to NISMO specifications, with parts and components supplied by NISMO, and deliver engines to European customers.

*subject to homologation approval

NISMO LMP2 Engine Specification

Engine Type NISSAN　VK45DE, 2011 ACO LMP2 regulation

Aluminum block, 90 degree V8, naturally aspirated

Displacement 4,494cc

Bore x Stroke 93mm x 82.7mm

Horsepower 450+HP / 331kW (DIN) with 39.1mm air restrictor

Torque 59kgf-m / 580N-m (DIN)

Weight Approximately 143kg