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Automobile site - Behind the wheel

» Updated Nissan Leaf electric car. The second incarnation of the Nissan Leaf ⇡ Gag - personal impressions of the editors

Updated Nissan Leaf electric car. The second incarnation of the Nissan Leaf ⇡ Gag - personal impressions of the editors

The Nissan company has fully disclosed data about the new generation of the 2018-2019 Nissan Leaf electric hatchback. The official premiere of the second generation five-door will take place in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new model received a bright, sporty body design, an improved interior with a more advanced version of multimedia, a larger-capacity battery, a new 150-horsepower electric motor and several advanced assistance systems, including the e-Pedal electronic accelerator pedal and a truncated version of the ProPilot autopilot.

In its homeland, Japan, the new Nissan Leaf 2018-2019 will go on sale on October 2 at a price of 3.15 million yen, which at the current exchange rate is equivalent to 1.66 million rubles. In the United States and Europe, the electric car will be available for purchase no earlier than January 2018. In the American market, traditionally one of the most important for the model, the starting price of the Nissan Leaf 2 will be $29,990 (1.7 million rubles). And now important information for domestic car enthusiasts. According to statements from the Russian office of Nissan, work is underway to bring a new generation of electric cars to our market, but the exact dates for the start of sales have not yet been announced. Most likely, the new Leaf will appear in Russia in the middle or second half of 2018.

The increased interest in updating the Japanese hatchback is explained by the fact that today it is the most popular electric car in the world. Since its debut in 2010, the model has sold more than 283 thousand copies, with about 40% of all sales coming from the US market. In recent years, the situation for the Nissan Leaf has been such that more and more competitors are nipping at its heels. Just look at the cost of the liftback, which sold 190 thousand units, and the sedan, which collected 455 thousand pre-orders. Also, Renault Zoe, Chevrolet Bolt and are not allowed to breathe freely. It is not surprising that the Japanese hastened to roll out the 2nd generation of Leaf, endowing it with a host of previously unavailable capabilities. Looking ahead a little, let's say that the modernization was a great success, but will this allow the new product to at least maintain the position of its predecessor, and at most to develop its success? We will get the answer to this question after the start of sales, but now we will start reviewing the car.

New look of Nissan Leaf

One of the main trump cards of the new Nissan electric car should be a new, more stylish and aggressive appearance. The designers have completely redrawn the nose of the model, giving it predatory LED headlights with double projectors and the signature V-Motion radiator grille with a blue three-dimensional pattern hidden under a dark panel, hinting that this is a representative of the EV class. The front bumper of the car acquired a sporty shape with a clearly visible aerodynamic body kit, and the hood acquired a much more expressive ribs.

Photos Nissan Leaf 2018-2019

In profile and from the rear, the updated hatchback looks as dynamic as possible. An energetic and assertive image is formed by the hood and windshield frame inclined at almost the same angle, the roof line smoothly descending towards the rear, the window sill line soaring upward, the rear pillars heavily tilted forward, stylish boomerang tail lights, two-tone body color with a contrasting upper part, a powerful rear bumper with a diffuser organically integrated into its body. In general, the new Nissan Leaf looks much more interesting and attractive than the previous version of the model.


Rear design

The color palette of electric car body enamels will differ depending on the market, but the most popular shades should be white, yellow, red, green and blue. There are two contrasting colors for the roof, pillars and mirror housings - black and dark blue.

Adjustments to the shape and design of some body elements affected the overall dimensions of the Nissan Leaf. With the wheelbase remaining at 2700 mm, the length of the vehicle increased by 35 mm (to 4480 mm), the width increased by 20 mm (to 1790 mm), and the height decreased by 10 mm (to 1540 mm). The decrease in height was a consequence of lowering the hatchback, which also led to a downward shift in the center of gravity and a reduction in ground clearance to 150 mm (-10 mm).

Interior configuration and trim

Having greatly changed on the outside, the Japanese electric car has changed just as much on the inside. The front panel, console and tunnel have undergone a radical revision. The developers tried to arrange the blocks of control elements as conveniently as possible and increase the information content of the existing displays. The instrument panel has a slightly different layout with an analogue speedometer and a multifunction screen, pleasing with pleasant graphics and easy-to-read data presentation.


Updated interior

The main multimedia complex with a 7-inch color screen located in the center of the console has acquired new functions, for example, support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto has been added. In addition, the system provides easy control of audio and navigation, displays battery charging status, displays graphics on the operation of the Safety Shield safety system, and provides access to NissanConnect services. You can check the battery charge level and control the air conditioning system remotely using a smartphone.

The central tunnel was thoroughly redrawn to improve the ergonomic component. So, the cup holders moved back and were located exactly between the front seats, and a convenient compartment for gadgets appeared at the base of the console, next to which there is a USB port and a 12 V socket.


Seating

The interior quality of the Nissan Leaf has become visually higher. The decoration uses fabrics, genuine leather, matte and glossy inserts. A characteristic feature is the use of blue thread for stitching the upholstery of chairs, armrests, door panels, and steering wheels. Also, blue accents are placed on many elements of the interior decoration; the scales in the instrument cluster also have a corresponding color.


Nissan Leaf luggage compartment

The dimensions of the electric car's interior have remained almost unchanged with the change of generations, so it is still ready to accommodate up to 5 passengers, three of whom can sit quite comfortably in the back. But the Japanese managed to expand the luggage compartment, as a result of which its volume increased by 65 liters and now the basic capacity is 435 liters.

Advanced assistance systems

The new Nissan Leaf boasts a wide range of electronic assistants, including the completely new ProPILOT, ProPILOT Park and e-Pedal systems.

The mainline autopilot ProPILOT, recently included in the arsenal, is capable of independently driving a car on the highway within the occupied lane. The car will accelerate and slow down on its own until it comes to a complete stop. If it was short-lived (up to 3 seconds), then the Leaf will resume movement without the driver’s participation, otherwise a short press of the accelerator pedal will be required. You can set the speed in the range of 30-100 km/h.


Operation of the ProPILOT Park system

ProPILOT Park is an advanced car parker that knows how to park a car parallel, perpendicular and at an angle to the roadway. The system takes over all functions, manipulating the gas and brake, as well as independently rotating the steering wheel. When maneuvering, it relies on the readings of 12 ultrasonic sensors and 4 high-resolution cameras.

The most interesting option is the e-Pedal - an electronic accelerator pedal that allows simultaneous acceleration and braking. This function is activated by a special button on the tunnel. After turning it on, when you press the gas pedal, the car begins to pick up speed, but as soon as the pedal is released, it switches to recuperation mode, and the car smoothly slows down until it comes to a complete stop. Thus, the electric car can be driven without moving your foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal. As Nissan representatives note, in 90% of cases this is not required.

In addition to the latest electronic systems mentioned above, the new Leaf will have access to classic assistants: emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, all-round visibility, road sign recognition, cross traffic control.

Technical characteristics of Nissan Leaf in the back of 2018-2019

The 2nd generation electric car has a new electric motor with a power of 150 hp. and a torque of 320 Nm (the previous unit had more modest figures - 109 hp and 254 Nm). The characteristics of the traction lithium-ion battery have also improved, now having a capacity of 40 kWh, while the pre-reform version had only 30 kWh. The increase in electrical potential did not affect the size of the battery, which, as before, is located in a compartment under the floor.


Electrical equipment

According to the passport, the power reserve of the new Nissan Leaf is 378 km in the European NEDC cycle and 241 km in the American EPA cycle, which is as close to reality as possible. When compared with the restyled car of the previous generation, the range without recharging in the NEDC cycle has increased by as much as 128 km.

The updated Leaf has seriously improved its acceleration dynamics, reaching 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds (the first generation model had 11.9 seconds). At the same time, the maximum speed of the car increased to 144 km/h (+4 km/h to the old figure). The retuned suspension, which has increased rigidity and received thicker anti-roll bars, will help maintain control over the five-door at high speeds and when taking sharp turns. The chassis layout itself remains the same - front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam.


Charging Nissan Leaf at the station

You can charge the battery of the Nissan electric hatchback either from a regular 3 kW outlet or from a special terminal. In the first case, you will have to wait as long as 16 hours, in the second – only 40 minutes (the capacity will be replenished by 80%). After a series of tests, engineers changed the angle of the charging port to 45 degrees, which will provide people of different heights with the same level of comfort when connecting the cable. It is curious that the Lifa battery can be used not only for its intended purpose, but also as a power source for household appliances in a residential building that is disconnected from the power grid.

In 2018, the Japanese company promises to bring to the market a more powerful Nissan Leaf with a battery capacity of 60 kWh. This version will be capable of covering a distance of up to 320 km between charges in the EPA cycle.

Photo of Nissan Leaf new model 2018-2019

The price is for a 2014-2015 car, with a mileage of no more than 30,000 km

L/w/h 4445 mm/1770 mm/1550 mm

Ground clearance 156 mm

Trunk volume 370 l

Curb weight 1474 kg

Number of passengers 5

Number of doors 5

Electric power system

Power up to 80 kW (109 hp)

Torque 254 Nm

Transmission single stagewith reverse gear

Front-wheel drive

Battery 24 kWh (li-ion)

Speed ​​144 km/h

Acceleration to 100 km/h 11.5 seconds

Cruising range up to 199 km

Disc brakes

Suspension independent/semi-independent

S VISIA trim level:

Chrome door handles, fabric interior, ABS, EBD, ASR , daytime running lights, front airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags, emergency assistance hill start, isofix, immobilizer , tire pressure monitoring system, pedestrian noise simulator, cruise control, smart key, Start/stop button, recovery, audio system AM/FM/AUX/USB/Bluetooth , audio preparation, electric mirrors, electric windows, front halogen headlights, fog lights, air conditioning, multifunction steering wheel

Electric cars are not only the transport of the future, they are already a reality of today. The Nissan Leaf electric car was recognized as the best car of 2011.

The heart of the car is lithium-ion batteries and an electric motor with a power of 80 kWh (109 hp), which, unlike internal combustion engines of similar power, develops a maximum thrust of 280 Nm literally from zero speed, which is equivalent to the torque of a conventional 2 .5‑liter V6 petrol engine.

You start to love the Nissan Leaf as you go. It’s comfortable and convenient to move around in it, even if the ride is a short sprint with numerous lane changes. The battery, integrated into the frame at the bottom of the body, provides a low center of gravity and, as a result, improves the car's maneuverability. Despite the impressive weight of the power supply with a curb weight of 1512 kg, the Leaf is lighter than many compact passenger cars with traditional engines. The car accelerates completely silently to 100 km/h in 11.5 seconds. Since absolute silence is frightening, Nissan has developed a sound warning system for pedestrians about the approach of a car. When the Leaf is traveling at low speeds - up to 30 km/h, the system emits a sound signal - an artificial crackling sound that simulates the sound of an engine using a speaker built into the front of the car. When the speed exceeds 30 km/h, pedestrians hear the sound of the Leaf tires and the “warning sound” is automatically switched off.

Using a regular household outlet, charging the Leaf overnight takes eight hours. At public stations (special fast charging stations), the battery is charged in half an hour to 80% of its capacity from a special charger with a power of 50 kW or more. If you don’t force the batteries and power the car daily from the home electrical network, the batteries will last for about 200 thousand kilometers.

The electric car does not require maintenance of the engine and fuel system, does not need to change oil and filters, spark plugs and valves. Only the chassis requires periodic inspection (it is the same as in a regular car with an internal combustion engine). Test measurements are sufficient for batteries.

The Leaf is the world's best-selling electric car. To date, 83,000 vehicles have already been purchased. The Nissan team was able to “get” to the right audience. Instead of targeted corporate image purchases by government and environmental organizations, security agencies that require silent patrolling of facilities, and airports, they preferred to turn to the so-called LOHAS generation (Lifestyle of Healthy and Sustainability) - people whose lifestyle is focused on improving their own health and support ecology.

Where to buy Nissan Leaf in Russia? It’s very easy to buy the Nissan Leaf electric crossover in Moscow. You just need to contact Ecomotors, the company’s employees will do the rest.

Where will my electric vehicle be serviced? Since the machine is not officially supplied to the Russian Federation, we do not provide a guarantee for it. BUT you can conclude a maintenance agreement with Ecomtors and have your electric car repaired under an extended warranty for 3 years in any city where the company has technical centers (see list of dealers).

Where can I refuel my electric car? This electric car is fully compatible with the Shuko standard, which means that you can refuel it at any public electric gas station (see map of electric gas stations). To refuel near your home or office, we recommend purchasing an ENSTO station presented on our website. The price for it is announced upon request. As a last resort, you can charge your electric car from any household outlet that can handle 16A.

How will the car behave in winter? Ecomotors has been selling electric cars in the Russian Federation for more than 6 years. We know everything about it))). The company offers a winter package for any of the electric vehicles it sells, adapted to the harshest conditions.

How to buy a Nissan Leaf electric car?

Machines are supplied to order from the USA or Europe.

Buying them is very simple:

Step 1. Leave a request on the website or by phone to the manager. Indicate how you can be contacted.

Step 2. The manager agrees on the package and color, and we conclude a supply agreement.

Step 3. You make an advance payment of 80%, after which we buy and register the car (2 weeks)

Step 4. The car is delivered to the Russian Federation (5 weeks) and arrives at customs in the Russian Federation, the car goes through customs clearance (2 weeks), after which it is handed over to you with a set of documents in exchange for the remaining 20%.

By contacting Nissan directly, you will not hear a commercial offer for the supply of electrical equipment. The car is not officially sold in the Russian Federation. But you can buy a Nissan Leaf from the Ecomotors company, and we are ready to take on all the worries about delivering the car to the Russian Federation.

Most recently, the new 2018 Nissan Leaf electric car was announced, with technical characteristics not inferior to gasoline versions. The car received a stylish design, electronic control systems and many other functions.

updated electric car Nissan Leaf 2018

The cost of the car is within acceptable limits, which makes it affordable for any fan of electric cars. Sales in Japan will start on October 2, in Europe the Nissan Leaf 2018-2019 will appear early next year.

Design of the new Nissan Leaf body

The main characteristic of Nissan is its slightly aggressive design, similar to sports cars. The car body has an aerodynamic shape and is designed in a “strict hi-tech” style. The front part has undergone major changes: a new V-shaped false radiator grille, LED headlights and an elegant “floating roof”.

new Nissan - front

It is worth noting that the external characteristics can easily compete with other modern electric cars and claim the title of “best design solution.”

Unlike other new products, there is nothing superfluous in the design. This is not a futuristic model that can amaze with its own design. Everything about the 2018 Nissan Leaf is simple and straightforward.


The entire body of the car has been given more angular and rough edges. Dimensions have also been redesigned to accommodate five seats in the cabin. The rear bumper received narrow but bright LED headlights, a stylish and textured hood, as well as original stampings on the rear fenders.

The interior decoration was not left alone either. The expanded overall dimensions have a significant impact on the interior. Future owners were presented with a model with a spacious interior and many interactive features. Thus, the basic variation of the car will receive a 5-inch touch screen, and the advanced model will have a seven-inch one.

interior of the Nissan Leaf 2018 electric car

The interior is available in two colors and is made of high-quality leather material. A steering wheel has been implemented with many built-in functions and a truncated rim towards the bottom. The instrument panel features a new, vibrant dial and large touchscreen. Speaking of the infotainment side, the stylish five-inch screen and Internet access make the car comfortable in all respects.

Additionally, an autopilot function was built in - ProPILOT. The driver does not need to independently drive or park the car; the system will independently perform basic functions. Separately, it is worth mentioning the e-Pedal, which is part of a complex of electronic systems and ensures smooth braking of the car. This feature can be activated using the pedal. The developers believe that this function is perfect for normal car braking in 85% of cases.

As mentioned earlier, when compared with its predecessors, the 2018 Nissan Leaf has increased overall dimensions. The dimensions of the new body will be 4.5 m in length, width - 1.8 m, height without and with the wheelbase - 1.5 m and 2.7 m, respectively.

The total weight of the car is 1765 kilograms. This is a normal weight for an electric car, which allows us to call such cars one of the lightest among.

The 2018-2019 model year Nissan Leaf electric car is equipped with new control systems, additional electronic functions and high-quality infotainment. The user can freely connect to the Internet, control the movement of the car, and also freely watch movies and read the news.

An improved safety system protects the driver and passengers from unexpected situations. Thus, the 2018 Nissan Leaf joins the line of models that provide maximum safety. You can also add the e-Padal system to this list, which will not allow the car to accelerate further.

The infotainment panel has a new Nissan Connect system, which allows you to find the nearest gas station, as well as connect to interactive features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In general, the car’s equipment is fully customized for the end user and guarantees a comfortable ride not only for the driver, but also for passengers.

Technical characteristics of Nissan Leaf

The power reserve of the new model allows you to travel up to 387 kilometers on a single charge. Compared with the previous modification, this is a breakthrough (the previous model could travel only 150 km).

The new 40 kWh battery pack can be charged directly from an outlet in sixteen hours, and using a quick recharge in forty minutes. With these characteristics, the 2018 Nissan Leaf will accelerate to 100 km in just 7.9 seconds. Powerful 110 kW electric motor, with a maximum speed of 144 km/h. The torque is 320 Nm. It is worth considering that for those who want to drive long distances, a model with a 60 kWh battery will be released.

Nissan Leaf 2018 price

It is too early to talk about a specific cost. The approximate price at which sales will start in Japan is $29.9 thousand. There are assumptions that the car will arrive in Europe at the same prices. The cost on the domestic market is still unknown, because the car will go on sale in the CIS countries starting next year. The new model is planned to be sold in more than sixty countries around the world, including Russia. The car will appear in Japan in October 2017.

Video of Nissan Leaf 2018-2019:

Photos of the new electric car Nissan Leaf 2018-2019:

It’s worth saying right away that the Nissan Leaf is no longer the newest car. Its production began back in 2010, and the first prototypes were presented to the public in 2009. In total, over the past time, the Japanese have been able to sell more than 30 thousand cars. The main markets for this car are those countries with a very warm climate and developed infrastructure (Japan, Europe, America). Unfortunately, neither the first nor the second can be found in Russia, so the Leaf model is not officially brought to us, and Nissan representatives stated that they do not yet have specific plans for the model. By the way, even before the start of sales in Japan, several thousand applications for this car were registered.

Price

A stumbling block when purchasing may be the cost of the Nissan Leaf. Its price in European countries is approximately 35,000 euros. A buyer in America will receive his car for less money - about 30 thousand dollars. It is not difficult to assume that the Russian price for this car will exceed one and a half million rubles.

Appearance

The appearance of the Nissan Leaf is very similar to the younger Note model, but its hood is slightly sloping and reduced in size. In addition, the head optics have a rather fancy design, and the rear doors have changed a little. Having made these changes, the designers developed the Leaf electric car, the name of which translates as “leaf”.

Front view

Most often, the creators of such cars try to make their appearance as futuristic as possible, so that everyone sees something outlandish in it. Electric cars often stand out in traffic. It’s worth remembering at least the single-seater Renault Twizy, which looks a bit like a spaceship. In addition, even the BMW i3, which was sensational in its time, looks very interesting and cannot get lost in the crowd.

The Nissan Leaf electric car is not like other electric cars because its appearance is quite modest. But it is still able to attract people’s attention, so you will often have to answer questions like “how much gas does the car consume” or “how fast does it accelerate.”

Back view

Apart from a couple of exterior details, this Nissan Leaf is a very ordinary 5-door C-Class hatchback. Its dimensions are appropriate: length is about four and a half meters, wheelbase is almost 2.7 meters, and height is one and a half meters.

The weight with the driver is not the smallest - 1600 kilograms. The car clearly has excellent aerodynamics: its body has a very streamlined shape.

Comfort in the cabin

The Nissan Leaf is a very spacious car for its class. Two adults, whose height may even be 180 centimeters, can sit quite comfortably in the back seat. You can put a child in the middle seat, and he will also be quite comfortable. The trunk volume is quite sufficient - 330 liters. To increase luggage space, you need to fold the rear seat.

Head optics

When you first look at the car’s headlights, it’s immediately clear why it was given such a name: their shape is very similar to a folded leaf. And this is not without reason. The shape of the headlights was determined in the wind tunnel: they can deflect the air flow from the side mirrors. Thanks to this, it was possible to reduce aerodynamic noise. Also, these headlights consume ten times less energy than conventional halogen ones.

The only thing that can make it clear that this is an electric car that does not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere is a nameplate with the inscription Zero Emission. They are located on the trunk lid, as well as on the passenger door. Otherwise, there's nothing to make it clear that the Nissan Leaf is not your average five-door hatchback.

Specifications

The car is quite peppy for an electric car. The characteristics of the Nissan Leaf are as follows:

    engine power 109 horsepower;

    torque 280 N/m;

    The car's power reserve on one charge is 175 km;

    Full charging takes approximately 9 hours;

    acceleration 0-100 km/h - 11.9 s;

    maximum speed 140 km/h;

    instead of a gearbox - a single-stage gearbox;

    front wheel drive;

    ventilated disc brakes.

Under the hood

There is nothing unusual even under the hood of the Nissan Leaf. The 12-volt battery is in place, the motor is covered with a quite familiar cover, thanks to which it can be confused with a regular engine of a gasoline or diesel car. The battery powers all the electronics of the car: door locks, radio, side lights, etc. Even if the electric car’s batteries run out completely, you can open the doors, listen to music, etc. By the way, climate control only works when the main battery is charged.

Bottom view

Under the bottom of the Nissan Leaf is a 300-kilogram lithium-ion battery. Its capacity is 24 kW. Because of this, the car’s center of gravity has shifted downward when compared with conventional classmates. According to Nissan, the engine has a thrust comparable to a three-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine.

According to official data, the car's power reserve is 175 kilometers. Unfortunately, this figure is very arbitrary. The actual number of kilometers depends on the driver's driving style, whether he uses air conditioning, how often he drives uphill or downhill, and on the condition of the battery. In fact, on average, a driver should expect no more than 120 kilometers of city driving. If you want to drive more aggressively, the electric car’s battery will run out much faster. Of course, driving fast is not the element for which the Nissan Leaf was born. The price of this car is such that you can buy a very fast petrol sports car.

Charger

The car has two charging connectors:

    fast charging according to the CHAdeMO standard at five hundred volts DC;

    normal charging from a standard 220-volt outlet.

If you use the first type of charger, the car battery is filled to 80 percent in just half an hour. Charging from a standard network will be completed in approximately 8 - 9 hours. To date, only one network of charging stations has been built in Moscow, where you can quickly “refuel” your Nissan Leaf. Reviews from drivers, unfortunately, say that they do not always work. So most often electric cars in Russia are charged from a 220-volt network. This is not always convenient, because it is not always possible to find an outlet in the parking lot.

Interior

Inside, the Nissan Leaf is very similar to its petrol siblings, with ergonomics, buttons and materials very similar to the Note and Juke models. The steering wheel does not look like the futuristic “steering wheels” so familiar to electric vehicles. Here are the simplest buttons for controlling the multimedia system, controlling the stabilization system, and more.

In the cabin, the absence of the usual gear selector is immediately striking: in the Leaf it is made in the shape of a washer. Next to it is a handbrake button, controlled electronically.

The instrument panel is completely electronic. It allows you to evaluate the remaining power reserve, as well as how economical your driving style is. There are also indicators for activated systems, an open door alarm and an unfastened seat belt alarm.

The central place on the console is occupied by a large touch screen, thanks to which you can control the navigation and multimedia system. The car allows you to read data from flash drives, memory cards and disks. The system interface is designed in a very friendly style, even a beginner can understand it. The only upsetting thing is that there is no translation into Russian, since the car is not officially sold in Russia.

Owners' opinion

According to customer reviews, at first you don’t expect anything special from an ordinary city car. However, the Nissan Leaf allows you to have a little fun on the road: of course, it is not strong on a straight line, but it has no equal in fast lane changes. When cornering, the car practically does not tilt, but the steering wheel lacks a little information.

Of course, the range limit of 100-130 kilometers is somewhat restrictive, and if you drive dynamically, the car will require a charging cable even earlier.

The Nissan Leaf is designed for driving in small towns, while in Russian conditions you often have to move from one end of the city to the other, sometimes even go to another settlement located several hundred kilometers away. Abroad, if an electric car runs out of charge on the road, service representatives will come to help. In Russia, you will have to tow it yourself to a gas station or to your own garage.

Results

Thus, before purchasing a Nissan Leaf, you should evaluate for what purpose it will be used. If you expect to frequently make long trips, then it is better to choose a regular gasoline or diesel car.

The Nissan Leaf electric car was first presented at the Tokyo Motor Show 2009, and its sales in the domestic market began in the spring of next year. In addition to Japan, the model is sold in the USA and Europe. This allowed the electric car to win the honorary titles of European and World Car of the Year 2011.

And at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, an updated version of the Nissan Leaf hatchback debuted, the production of which for the Old World has been established since June at the company’s plant in Sunderland (UK).

Externally, the restyled Nissan Leaf (2016-2017) has remained virtually unchanged, with the exception of new design wheels, available in 16- and 17-inch diameters. This is the same five-door with a length of 4,445 mm (wheelbase - 2,700), width - 1,770 and height - 1,550 mm.

However, the manufacturer managed to increase the trunk volume of the model from 330 to 370 liters, but, more importantly, the electric vehicle’s range has increased from the previous 175 to 199 kilometers. This was achieved through many small changes.

For example, the aerodynamic drag coefficient due to an optimized front end was reduced from 0.29 to 0.28, friction losses in the mechanical parts of the power plant were reduced, the control electronics were improved, the new B-Mode in the transmission allows you to accumulate more energy during braking, and improved batteries have reduced power consumption.

Let us remind you that the Nissan Leaf is built on the Nissan V platform, and it is driven by an electric motor with a power of 80 kW (110 hp), developing a maximum torque of 280 Nm. It is powered by lithium-ion batteries located under the floor, which require 8 hours to fully recharge from a 220 V mains voltage.

But now a new 32-amp charger (available as an option) has been developed for the model, allowing the battery charging time to be halved, that is, to four hours. Depending on the version, the hatchback can also be equipped with LED headlights, BOSE music and a multimedia system with a surround view function.

With all this, the price of the Nissan Leaf has become lower by about 3,000 euros, although the exact cost of the updated version of the electric car has not been reported. Unfortunately, sales of Nissan Leaf in Russia are not yet planned due to undeveloped infrastructure.

At the motor show in Frankfurt, the premiere of the 2016 model year Nissan Leaf electric car took place, which received an upgraded set of batteries. Their capacity increased from 24 to 30 kWh, however, with the same size, the batteries began to weigh 21 kg more.

But the maximum range with fully charged batteries has increased to 250 kilometers versus 199 previously, so one of the key parameters for an electric vehicle has improved by 25%. But a new unit is available for cars in the Acenta and Tekna trim levels.

In addition, the Nissan Leaf (2016-2017) has acquired a new NissanConnect EV multimedia system with a 7.0-inch display and navigation, which indicates charging stations. Plus, there is an additional Bronze body color option.

European sales of the Nissan Leaf started in January 2016, the price of an electric car with a new set of batteries in the UK starts from 24,490 pounds sterling (the price increase was 1,600 pounds).