THE ALL-NEW NISSAN Leaf has finally been unveiled and the big news here is the new e-powertrain, which offers improved energy efficiency and increased torque and power output.
Compared to the current Leaf, the new e-powertrain delivers a higher power output of 110kW/150hp, which is a 38 per cent increase. Torque has also been increased by 26 per cent to 320Nm. This should result in improved acceleration and a faster 0-100km/h time than the current 11.5 seconds. There’s been no increase on the top speed with this new Leaf reaching 144km/h which is the same as the current model.
Even with the additional power output, the new Nissan Leaf’s single-charge driving range has been increased. The car’s new lithium-ion battery pack delivers an estimated range of 378km NEDC. This is a significant increase over the current 30kWh Leaf which has a 250km claimed NEDC range.
The new battery design adds energy-storage capacity without increasing the size. The battery pack occupies the exact same dimensions as that of the current model.
Another key engineering improvement for the lithium-ion battery pack is enhanced electrode materials with revised chemistry, resulting in higher power density while contributing to greater battery durability upon charge and discharge.
If that’s not enough power or range for your needs, Nissan has said it is going to offer a higher power, longer-range version at a higher price in 2018.
As for the rest of the car, the exterior takes its inspiration from the IDS Concept Car from the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show and sports the trademark Nissan V-motion grille which has a blue tinge to it, which is Nissan’s signature colour for its electric vehicles.
The shape is sleek and clear so it can cut through the air cleanly. It has a coefficient drag of 0.28Cd and a kerb weight of 1,535kg – not too shabby for a five-seat, 4,480mm long family hatchback with a 435-litre boot and heavy li-ion batteries.
Nissan has packed the new Leaf with ‘Intelligent Driving’ technologies ProPILOT, ProPILOT Park and e-Pedal.
ProPILOT is an adaptive cruise control system and if the car in front stops, the ProPILOT system will automatically apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to a full stop if necessary.
ProPILOT Park will help drivers park by automatically controlling acceleration, brakes, handling, gear changing and parking brakes to guide the car into a parking spot.
The e-Pedal is a one-pedal driving system meaning you can start, accelerate, decelerate, stop and hold the car by using the accelerator pedal alone. By simply releasing the accelerator, the car will come to a smooth and complete stop and hold without the need to press the brake pedal. Nissan suggests that drivers should be able to use the single pedal for more than 90 per cent of their driving needs claiming this will ‘reduce fatigue and increase enjoyment.’
The new Nissan Leaf goes on sale on 2 October in Japan and is slated for deliveries in January in Europe.
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