The second generation Nissan Leaf has been revealed. The all-electric hatchback comes with a new design, bigger battery pack and autonomous driving technology.
The new gen Leaf takes its cues from the Nissan V-Motion 2.0 design philosophy. The hatchback looks similar to the current generation Micra which is on sale internationally. The V-Motion grille, a sleek yet sharp-looking headlamp, floating roof and boomerang-shaped tail lights further accentuate the design of the new Leaf. The flash-surface grille in clear blue and the rear bumper’s blue moulding identify the Leaf as a zero-emission vehicle. The Japanese carmaker boasts of a new aerodynamic body and a set of aero-design wheels. All these factors bring down the drag coefficient to a mere 0.28. Nissan has managed to make the new-gen Leaf look like a conventional car rather than a quirky electric vehicle.
The conventional appearance continues inside the cabin. The instrument cluster is a digital screen coupled with an analogue speedometer. The centre console gets a seven-inch display with smartphone integration, navigation, and Safety Shield technology power gauge. The flat-bottom steering wheel, contrasting blue stitching and gloss-black materials make the cabin feel more upmarket. Boot space is also impressive at 435 litres.
The new Leaf is laden with advanced technology. Headlining the Nissan Intelligent Driving technology are – ProPilot, e-Pedal and the company's benchmark Safety Shield. In the new Leaf, instead of an accelerator pedal, there is a single pedal, what Nissan calls the ‘e-Pedal’. The driver can accelerate, decelerate and stop the EV by increasing or decreasing the pressure applied to the pedal. The ProPilot is Nissan’s autonomous driving technology. So, the Leaf can control the distance from the vehicle ahead at speeds between 30-100 kmph. It can brake and steer from obstruction without driver’s intervention. It can also park itself with the ProPilot Park feature. Apart from these, the five-seater is equipped with a plethora of driving aids.
Powering the Leaf, is a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery pack mated to an EM57 electric motor delivering 147bhp and 320Nm of torque. Nissan claims a range of 400 kilometres according to JC08 cycle. The battery pack also supports the quick charging function. A more powerful battery pack will be revealed next year with a longer range and higher price.
The new Nissan LEAF will go on sale in Japan on 2 October. The EV is slated for deliveries in January 2018 in the US, Canada and Europe. The new gen Leaf is speculated to make its way to India as well.
