Dome Zero
Dome Zero | ||
---|---|---|
Curb weight 920 kg (2,028.3 lb) | | |
Chronology | ||
Successor | Jiotto Caspita |
The Dome Zero (童夢-零, Dōmu Zero) was a prototype
Road car prototypes
Design work on the Dome Zero began in 1976 and the prototype was completed in 1978. The creation of the car was motivated by Hayashi's desire to compete in the
The Dome Zero represented a technological leap forward for small-scale Japanese automakers. The unusual design of the Zero required an extensive engineering process, incorporating newly designed components and off-the-shelf items from other Japanese auto manufacturers. It had a wedge-shaped exterior reminiscent of the
The Dome Zero prototype was completed in time for the 48th Geneva Motor Show in 1978 where its design received attention from various investors and interested buyers. Despite this interest, the manufacturer was unable to achieve Japanese road certification for the prototype. This led to the creation of a second prototype road car for the international market, the Zero P2. It is not clear what the exact reasons were for Zero's failure to achieve Japanese homologation. However, homologation rules were very strict at that time in Japan, and Dome did not have the funds to sustain the long and costly homologation procedure that was routine for well-funded mainstream Japanese auto makers.
The Zero's appearance at the Geneva Motor Show resulted in Dome signing several deals with toy manufacturers to license the car's appearance. The funding from these deals enabled Dome to expand their headquarters and continue to develop road and racing cars.[2][3][4]
Zero P2
The original prototype's failure to achieve Japanese market homologation led to the development of the Dome Zero P2 prototype, a car made specifically for export and sale in countries such as the United States. Hayashi believed this would also allow sales to the Japanese market without regulatory approval. At the time, it was possible for Japanese buyers to obtain "export only" vehicles via grey market re-imports.
The P2 had large front and rear bumpers added (for the US market) and various other structural modifications which altered the appearance of the car. The P2 used the same Nissan L28E engine as the first prototype, but the press reported that
When introduced, the Dome Zero P2 was estimated to have a retail price between US$30,000 to US$60,000. Efforts to homologate the P2 for sale in Japan and overseas failed, and it was never produced for commercial sale.[2][3][4][5]
Racing
Following difficulties with road homologation of the Zero, Hayashi decided to develop a race car, the Zero RL. This was intended to help publicize road cars and to realize Hayashi and his employees' ambitions of racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 1979 Zero RL was powered by a Cosworth DFV V8 engine with an aluminum twin-tube monocoque chassis. The dimensions of the car were unusual for a Le Mans prototype, with a very narrow track (52.7 in (1,340 mm)) and long body (16.4 ft (5.0 m)). It is unclear the degree to which the Zero RL was derived from the road Zero, as chassis, body and engine all substantially differed from the road version.[4][6]
The Zero RL first raced at the 1979
Specifications
- Chassis: MR (mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive)
- Engine: straight-6 Nissan L28
- Capacity: 2,753 cc (168.0 cu in)
- Power: 145 PS (107 kW; 143 hp)
- Torque: 23.0 kg⋅m (226 N⋅m; 166 lb⋅ft)
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Weight: 920 kg (2,028 lb)
- Brakes: Ventilated disks front/solid disks rear
- Suspension: Double wishbone front/coils rear
- Tyre: 185/60/VR13 Front, 255/55/VR14 Rear
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-578-34683-0.
- ^ a b Simanaitis, Dennis (September 1979). "Archived Drive: DOME P-2". Road & Track. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
- ^ a b "DOME || DOME MUSEUM || CAR MUSEUM". www.dome.co.jp. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
- ^ a b c Rong, Blake (2016-06-26). "Dome Arigato: Japan's Forgotten Supercar Was A Wonderful Wedge". Road & Track. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
- ^ "Tribute to Dome Zero - Japanese Wedge Supercar That Didn't Happen". AutoWise. 2016-07-20. Archived from the original on 2018-09-03. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
- ^ a b "The 1979 Dome Zero RL Le Mans Cars | Motor Sport Magazine Archive". Motor Sport Magazine. July 1988. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
- ^ "Silverstone 6 Hours 1979 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
- ^ "Silverstone 6-hours | Motor Sport Magazine Archive". Motor Sport Magazine. May 1979. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
- ^ "Endurance Racing Survey | Motor Sport Magazine Archive". Motor Sport Magazine. June 1979. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
- ^ "1980 DOME RL80". DOME MUSEUM. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
- ^ "1982 DOME RL-81". DOME MUSEUM. Retrieved 2018-09-02.