Nissan’s done it again, setting another unique Guinness World Record. Last year at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed a Nissan Juke was driven up the event’s famous hill climb on two wheels. This year at the 2012 Festival, it was the Nissan LEAF that stunned the crowds by completing the same course in record time in reverse.
On both occasions the man behind the wheel was veteran stunt driver, Terry Grant. After setting a new record for the fastest car in reverse over a distance of one mile (or 1.6km) on the Friday, he went on to smash it twice on the Saturday and Sunday. His final time? 1 minute 37.02 seconds at an average speed of 88km/h (55mph).
Terry had the following to say about the experience, “With direct drive from the electric motor to its wheels, the Nissan Leaf can, in theory, go as fast backwards as it can forwards. There were times I wasn’t sure I was coming or going. However, thanks to the Leaf’s low centre of gravity – the batteries are an integral part of the car’s floor – the car is extremely stable, no matter which direction it’s travelling.” He jokingly added, “The only complaint I have is slight neck ache from constantly looking over my shoulder…”
The record attempt was part of Nissan’s social media-driven campaign, ‘The Big Turn On’ which aims to educate the European public regarding the eco-friendly, safety, economical and practical benefits of the EV.
