Nissan has taken the wraps off an all-new, third generation electric LEAF.
The new LEAF (leading, environmentally-friendly, affordable, family car) promises increased range and faster charging speeds, along with tech that Nissan says will make the daily drive easier.
Now an SUV rather than hatchback, Nissan believes LEAF offers a “compelling” alternative to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles.
No word on when or how much it will cost yet, but the car will begin to roll out in the United States from September, with other regions to follow soon after.
More than 74,000 electric vehicles were sold in Australia last year. Just 357 of them were the LEAF.
The original LEAF, launched here in 2012, with a range of 175km was a complete flop — and heavily discounted.
Nissan will be hoping for a better result this time around, but it faces plenty of competition.
When it comes to EVs, most people want to know how far they can go on a single charge (and how long they take to recharge)?
- Maximum range for LEAF is estimated at 303 miles (488km)
- Charging from 10-80 per cent takes as little as 35 minutes (150W DC fast charger)
We won’t know for sure until the car has been officially approved for sale in Australia.
Details are sketchy at this stage, with liberal use of such terms as “available”, “select grades”, “select variants”, “for select regions) and “depending on grade and region”.
What we do know is that the all-new, 3-in-1 EV powertrain with an integrated motor, inverter and reducer, is 10 per cent smaller than before and features Nissan’s unique motor control which enhances refinement.
All-new LEAF is 4350mm long, with a 2690mm wheelbase and has a single electric motor which drives the front wheels.
It is available with two liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery options, both of which offer thermal conditioning functionality.
- 52 kWh with 130kW of power and 345Nm of torque
- 75 kWh producing 160kW and 355Nm
The claimed range of 488km applies to the larger battery, while Nissan does not specify to which battery the 35-minute charge time applies.
An enhanced thermal recovery and management system harvests heat created by the onboard charger (OBC) to warm the battery, increasing its regeneration potential in cold weather.
Additionally, on “applicable” grades a new intelligent navigation-linked thermal conditioning function optimises battery cooling based on the selected drive route.
An “available” (this usually means optional) Intelligent Route Planner also enhances EV ownership by providing real-time route information, state of charge and identification of convenient charging stations.
The fastback design features flush front door handles, aero-tuned wheels and a flat underbody.
They combine to ensure new LEAF not only looks good, but also offers a 0.26 drag coefficient for US and Japanese models, and an even more impressive 0.25 for European variants.
On “select grades” a lightbar spans the length of the bonnet, which in “some regions” is positioned above an illuminated Nissan brand logo.
At the rear, “available” 3D holographic tail lights feature a futuristic “digital Zen” design.
“Available” 19-inch alloys boost street cred.
The spacious interior boats an almost entirely flat floor courtesy of Nissan’s CMF-EV platform and the wide, horizontal instrument panel appears to float.
A single display screen houses dual 12.3- or 14.3-inch integrated screens depending on “grade and region”.
“Select variants” feature Bose Personal Plus premium audio with speakers integrated into the front headrests.
A dimming panoramic roof incorporates heat shielding with embedded Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) technology to deliver natural light and year-round comfort at the touch of a button.
For “select regions” newly available Intelligent Distance Control Assist helps intuitively maintain a set distance from the vehicle in front while driving in city traffic and also optimises regenerative braking.
All-new LEAF features a comprehensive suite of advanced and innovative driver assist technologies to make daily driving easier and more intuitive.
Additionally, an “available” (option) V2L accessory adapter can connect to the external charging port to support convenient charging of external devices.
New LEAF will be assembled at the Tochigi Plant in Japan, as well as at Nissan’s state-of-the-art production facility in Sunderland, northeast England.
Availability has been confirmed for North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia.
Further details including pricing will be provided closer to the start of sales in respective markets.
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