Le Mans regular in the '80s and '90s, Nissan will return this year with an endurance engine.

The V8 developed in Tokyo seems to fill the bill: Oreca recommend it for their customers, and it will also be used by the Ginetta-Zytek Team Bruichladdich.

Takeo Inagaki, (42) has worked for nearly two decades for Nismo and is project manager for "LM P2," he answered our questions.

How many people are working on the LM P2 engine project?
Takeo Inagaki: "About five people working on its development over the past year."

Why have you opted for an non-turbo 4.5 litre V8?
"Our choice is based on our experiences with turbo and naturally aspirated engines in the Super GT races in Japan. Both in reliability and performance, we believe that the naturally aspirated engines are more suitable for our customers in LM P2."

What are the differences between your engines for LM P2 and GT 500?
"Nismo LM P2 block is based on one developed for the GT 500. But the price ceiling set by the ACO for engines in LM P2 causes a significant reduction in production costs. However, we do not compromise on reliability, which was demonstrated in the Super GT."

Is first engine assembled?
"Engine endurance tests on a test bed are under way."

What is next?
"Zytek will soon assemble and deliver the engines to customers so they can begin testing. The first few laps on the track will probably be in late January or early February. Nismo will ensure proper functioning of the engines on the track for our customers."

How many teams are interested in your product?
"We seek to equip five or six cars."

What is the role of your partner Zytek?
"Zytek will build our LM P2 engines for European customers by following our specifications and using parts from Nismo. Zytek will also provide technical support to client teams."

NISMO VK45
Architecture: non-turbo 90° V8
Displacement: 4494 cm3
Bore / Stroke: 93 mm /82.7mm
Power with flange: 450 hp
Torque with flange: 580 Nm
Weight: 143 kg
Interval between rebuilds: 6000 km
Price:  € 75,000

Julien Hergault

Photo: Nismo V8 will soon roar on the race track.