Launched in 2010, the LEAF has sold more than 280,000 units worldwide and was for a long time the best-selling electric vehicle in Europe – right now that place is occupied by the Renault Zoe.
Very interesting numbers, achieved despite the limitations of autonomy and a design that was far from being consensual. You see what we mean by “far from being consensual”…. Otherwise, the Nissan LEAF was an excellent product – sales success is proof of that.
Seven years after the launch of the first generation, the second generation of the Nissan LEAF now appears.
well studied lesson
Nissan customers asked for more space, more power, more range and a less “spacey” design. And the Japanese brand responded with a Nissan LEAF longer (4480 mm), more powerful (150 hp) and with greater autonomy (378 kilometers on the NEDC cycle) and of course… more consensual in terms of aesthetics.
Now there's no difficulty looking at and identifying the Nissan LEAF as an automobile. The design of this second-generation LEAF was inspired by the IDS concept presented in the Tokyo Hall, while still receiving some aviation influences.
technical data
Powered by a set of lithium-ion batteries, the new Nissan LEAF – which will be on display at the next Frankfurt Motor Show – now has a 110 kW engine (30 kW more than the previous version) and 320 Nm of maximum torque, which allows to achieve acceleration from 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
As for autonomy, the new batteries with 40 kWh allow an autonomy of 378 km in the NEDC cycle, being possible to charge them in 16 hours in a conventional socket – or in 40 minutes in a fast socket to 80%. For 2018 is still the promise of a new version, with superior power and superior autonomy.
Renovated interior and more equipment
The interior was renovated, now with better quality materials and a (again…) more consensual design. The center console is dominated by a 7-inch color screen that allows you to get all the information about the autonomy and behavior of the electrical system.
The new LEAF also features new technologies including the Propilot system (an autonomous driving mode), the Propilot Park autonomous parking system and the E-Pedal that allows the driver to drive using only the accelerator pedal (which serves as an accelerator and brake when released).
The new Nissan Leaf will go on sale as early as January 2018. But for now, we'll be able to meet it at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
