Look: Modified Nissan Leaf will join Pikes Peak

Team Samurai Speed has revealed their vehicle for the upcoming Pikes Peak event on June 26, 2022. Happening in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the race is touted as the world’s toughest hill climb race. As seen on their official website and Instagram, the group announced that they will be using a modified Nissan LEAF EV. 

Electric Vehicles or EVs have started to make their presence known in this famous hill climb race. Volkswagen, with driver Romina Dumas, set the overall record with their ID R EV back in 2018. They clocked in at a time of 7 minutes and 57.15 seconds. 

Now the Samurai Speed team aims to break the record with their electrified entry. For this year’s race, their Nissan LEAF was modified with a lot of downforce goodies. A huge front spoiler, side skirts, diffuser, revised rear bumper, and a massive wing have been added to the torquey EV. We have yet to get details of the performance aspect as the team have only released pictures through their IG account.

Modifications were done in the company’s Fremont garage in the US and the focus was on aerodynamics. Takashi Oi, who is the slated driver for this year, has been tuning the car and getting it ready for the race proper. The team also used the Nissan LEAF during last year's competition. Armed with knowledge from the previous races, they have a game plan plus and have modified the car for this year’s race with further weight reduction. 

With the race just around the corner, the team hopes to set a new record. Other companies like Acura have also thrown their hat in the ring with its 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Integra. Will this be the year team Samurai Speed grabs the crown with their EV? Will more EVs make a big presence in this year’s competition? We will find out come June 26.