Driven by professional stunt driver Terry Grant, the Nissan LEAF raced backwards up the famous Goodwood hillclimb course at the weekend’s Festival of Speed, covering the distance in 1 minute 37.02 seconds at an average speed of 88.5km/h (55 mph).
Having set the record on Friday, the opening day of the Festival, Terry went on to smash his time on Saturday and Sunday, shaving an amazing 26 seconds off Friday’s time
Terry, who set a world record at last year’s festival by driving a Nissan Juke up the hill on two wheels, says: “I had a great car at my disposal – 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 traveling.
“The only complaint I have is slight neck ache from constantly looking over my shoulder!”
The LEAF Reverse Record is part of Nissan’s ambitious social media-driven campaign, ‘The Big Turn On’, which is spreading the EV message across Europe using social media channels and aimed to get one million consumers switched onto electric driving, in just 100 days. The one million ‘turn ons’ target was achieved on the 21st June, 15 days ahead of the original target.
The Big Turn On is a 100-day campaign to demonstrate the benefits of electric vehicles, and to bust the myths that surround, them through online influencers, owners, and celebrities. The influencers compete to turn the most people on to electric driving for their city, and the top influencer in each country can win a Nissan LEAF. The most turned on city after the 100 days will win 30 Nissan-designed Quick Chargers, capable of replenishing a Nissan LEAF battery to 80% charge in 30 minutes or less. The campaign is based online with outlets on Youtube, Facebook and the online hub at www.the-big-turn-on.com
