Nissan's Next Electric Halo Could Be Born On A Formula E Racetrack
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Nissan may be best known for the Leaf and the GT-R, but its next halo car could emerge from somewhere much more electric — and much more unexpected. Tommaso Volpe, who heads Nissan's Formula E program, confirmed to Autocar that the brand is actively exploring ways to bring its motorsport tech to the street.
No concept teasers. No vague promises. Just prototypes — already running — that blend road-legal chassis with Formula E-derived powertrains. That means high-efficiency electric motors, race-honed software, and hardware developed under the brutal conditions of EV racing. The goal? A new electric flagship that puts Nissan back in the performance spotlight.
Tech From The Track
The proposed project wouldn't be just a track toy with license plates — it's being built from the ground up with the road in mind. While Nissan has already experimented with performance EVs like the Ariya Nismo, this would be something far more focused. Lightweight, high-voltage, and razor-sharp — a proper rival to the likes of Taycan, Ioniq 5 N, and maybe even whatever Tesla's working on next.
This vision ties directly into the company's broader push to reposition itself as an innovator again. The brand has struggled in recent years, with a string of forgettable models and cost-cutting measures. As we've explored, Nissan's future may well lie in its past — revisiting its bold, abandoned ideas to re-ignite public interest.
Why Formula E?
Formula E is more than a billboard — it's Nissan's test lab for the electrification arms race. And it's starting to deliver results. Just last month, the company won its first-ever Formula E Drivers' Championship with Oliver Rowland, a breakthrough moment that's sparked momentum behind the scenes. Pair that with Nissan's confirmed involvement in the series through 2030, and it's clear this isn't just about PR.
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Max Taylor
This potential halo car wouldn't just carry the look of a racecar — it would inherit the actual tech. Powertrain software, battery management, energy regeneration, and efficiency systems tuned at the absolute bleeding edge. That's a lot more than a few Nismo badges slapped on an SUV.
Source: Akio Kon/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A Brand In Need Of Spark
The timing couldn't be more critical. Nissan posted a $782 million Q1 loss as part of its wider restructuring plan, facing stiff tariffs on Japanese imports and shuttering factories to cut costs. Meanwhile, sales of models like the manual Versa — America's cheapest new car — have now ended entirely due to profitability challenges.
Nissan needs a comeback story. Not just another crossover, not another business-case commuter car. It needs a statement. A hero car. A headline. This Formula E-derived EV halo might just be the spark they need.
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