Test Out This Candy Leaf-Powered Sunny That Nissan’s Bringing To SEMA

There are going to be a variety of big vans at this yr’s SEMA present. However one of the best truck in the complete present could be the other: this 1987 Nissan Sunny. Why? I imply, to start with, simply have a look at it. What number of different vans at SEMA may have fender-mounted mirrors? Most likely none. But additionally, it’s electrical.

Utilizing the powertrain from a Nissan Leaf to electric-swap a pickup truck may not sound very thrilling, however keep in mind, small vans from that period weren’t precisely posting large numbers. In response to the press launch, “the LEAF motor has round twice the ability and greater than thrice the torque of the gasoline four-cylinder engine initially geared up within the Sunny.”

It’s a must to assume the battery provides some weight, however the Leaf motor’s 147 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque in all probability actually wakes this factor up. Plus, builder Tommy Pike left the Sunny’s guide transmission in place. It could have been pointless since Leafs cruise alongside at freeway speeds simply tremendous, nevertheless it does add to the cool issue. Particularly contemplating the quantity of labor it in all probability took to make it potential.

Different modifications embody a “Hakosuka” Skyline widebody package, LED lights, an upgraded rear suspension, the entrance suspension setup out out of an S13 240SX, disc brakes, a customized inside, and 17-inch Rotiform wheels. Even when the Brock Racing paint scheme isn’t your factor, you need to admit this truck seems very well accomplished.

“I purchased the Sunny Truck as a result of I assumed it was such a cool piece of Nissan historical past and heritage — particularly once I noticed it was a right-hand-drive mannequin,” mentioned Pike. “Taking the sudden step of changing the Sunny to electrical energy whereas wrapping it with the Brock Racing Enterprises livery felt like the proper solution to pay homage to Nissan’s heritage and fashionable innovation.”

Nissan may also have a V8-swapped Frontier on the present, however the electrical Sunny is infinitely weirder and due to this fact cooler.