2018 Nissan Leaf (2nd Generation)

Nissan turns over a sharper, longer-lasting new Leaf

Nissan has revealed its second generation Leaf EV (electric vehicle), and as expected the new car is lighter, more powerful and can go quite a lot further on a single battery charge.

We suspect the new model is actually a major rework of the six-year-old current version, because Nissan makes mention of adjustments to chassis, steering and suspension components, rather than descriptions of all new parts. Still, this version’s updated styling goes a long way to make the eco-friendly vehicle fit in with today’s sharper image.

The new Leaf gets a 40kWh battery in place of the old one’s 30kWh, and it still runs down the centre of the floor where a normal car’s gearbox tunnel would be. The power bump means outputs of the front-mounted electric motor are now up to 110kW and 320Nm from 80kW and 254Nm. Nissan hasn’t offered any 0-100km/h acceleration claims, so we can’t compare it to the current model’s 11.5 second figure, but we do know that top speed is unchanged at 144km/h.

More important than performance, however, is the claimed range and this has been improved quite substantially. Where the current model quotes around 250km on a single charge, this one can do up to 378km according to Nissan - although, as with all EVs, this number will probably come down in real world conditions. Nissan says a Leaf with an even bigger battery, to give more range, will be released in late 2018.

Some new technologies have also been incorporated, and a new ProPilot feature will safely keep a following distance at highway speeds, automatically brake the car if traffic slows (or stops) and gently assist with steering to help a driver stay in a single lane. Nothing revolutionary here, as these functions can be had in all sorts of vehicles for sale today.

New ProPilot feature will safely keep a following distance at highway speeds

Likewise the new ProPilot Park gadget, which will allow drivers to sit back while the Leaf slots itself into a parking bay. This feature is also available in plenty of relatively basic hatchbacks in today’s market.

Nissan calls the new Leaf’s e-Pedal a “cutting-edge innovation allowing you to drive and brake in a totally new and seamless way”, but by the sounds of it this new gizmo is just an exaggerated engine braking function.

We know from experience with EVs that the sensation in the throttle pedal is unusual compared to conventional, combustion-engined cars which coast quite freely when no pressure is applied. Electric cars tend not to coast when throttle is lifted, so maintaining a constant speed requires a steady right foot.

The Leaf’s e-Pedal takes this phenomenon a step further by applying regenerative and friction brakes when no throttle is applied, so it’s possible to decelerate and come to complete stops without ever pressing the brakes.

Nissan says the conventional brake pedal is there only for “aggressive braking situations”. It sounds like this might take some getting used to, but we’ll reserve judgement until we’ve tried it.

The cabin has also been suitably updated to match the modernised exterior, and here you’ll find a new 17.8cm central touchscreen that houses the multimedia, navigation and battery level displays. The infotainment system is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There’s also a new smartphone app so the Leaf’s state of charge can be viewed remotely, and similarly to other “connected” cars it’s possible to condition the cabin with pre-heating or cooling ahead of a journey.

Nissan can’t confirm local introduction, but says it’s considering a date in the last quarter of next year. We presume availability is inevitable considering Nissan South Africa’s agreement with BMW SA to invest in local recharging infrastructure.

https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/late...er-a-sharper-longer-lasting-new-leaf-11099141
 
calypso said:
Any indications on what it will cost here?
Click to expand...

It's prob will take a year to hit SA. Announced just happened. Will be showed at Frankfurt next week. Then production & gradual rollout of key markets like Japan; US. Then prob Euro markets & some time later SA & the rest.

Current models currently retails for R500k. So it's anyone's guess. If I had to thumbsuck at this early stage I would say R550k onwards.
 
Lol

9562eb797383f668cd516a587b570982.jpg
 
2018 NISSAN LEAF CLAIMS A RANGE OF 378 KM!

The new Nissan Leaf has been officially unveiled and boasts some noteworthy upgrades compared with the outgoing model. These include the latest autonomous technology Nissan has to offer.

The figure likely to garner the most interest, however, is a new claimed single charge range of 378 km from a 40 kWh Li-ion battery. This is more than 100 km more than the previous model, which for 2016 received a larger battery. This range estimate is according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) set of regulated tests.

Along with improved efficiency, Nissan claims increased performance for the 110 kW/320 Nm new Leaf. That said, Nissan Japan is also reporting that a high-powered version will be made available to European markets by the end of 2018.

It is estimated that on a quick charger the Leaf will take just 40-minutes to attain an 80% charge (or between 8 and 16 hours using standard charging).

The exterior of the 2018 Leaf features the brand’s V shaped front grille bringing it in line with its crossover stablemates, the X-Trail and Qashqai.

A new 7-inch TFT infotainment system with integrated Apple CarPlay and satellite navigation are standard inclusions within the new cabin.

The new Leaf weighs 1 535 kg, boasts a low drag coefficient of 0,28 Cd and will reach a maximum speed of 144 km/h.

Nissan is also debuting its ProPILOT driver assistance system, ProPILOT Park and e-Pedal in the new Leaf.

ProPilot Park is the first fully autonomous parking system to be fitted to a production Nissan product. Once engaged, the vehicle controls the steering, throttle, braking and transmission controls during parking manoeuvres.

e-Pedal allows the driver to accelerate, decelerate and come to a complete stop via input on the throttle pedal alone. With the throttle fully released, regenerative and friction braking is applied automatically. The vehicle then holds its position, regardless of the gradient, until the accelerator is depressed again.

Destined for more than 60 markets around the globe, sales of the new Leaf start in Japan on the 2nd of October this year. Nissan South Africa has yet to confirm when the car might arrive in SA.

http://www.carmag.co.za/news_post/2018-nissan-leaf-claims-a-range-of-378-km/
 
Sunderland confirmed as production facility for next Nissan Leaf

Sunderland joins Oppama and Smyrna plants to handle global supply of second-gen electric hatch

The next-generation Nissan Leaf will go into production at the end of 2017 at plants in Japan, the UK and the US, the brand has confirmed.

Nissan’s Oppama plant in Japan, the Sunderland plant in the North-East of England and the Smyrna plant in Texas will handle the manufacturing of the new model, which will be built on a heavily evolved electric platform.

Sunderland is one of the UK's biggest car producers, having built more than half a million cars in 2016. Its biggest product is the Nissan Qashqai.

Autocar has driven a Japan-spec prototype of the second Leaf, but British cars will get bespoke settings to cater to the unique and potted roads here. The car will also be adapted for other markets.

Sales will kick off in Japan on 2 October, with order books in other markets, including Europe, opening soon after.

Nissan manufacturing and supply chain boss Fumiaki Matsumoto said: “The Nissan Leaf is the icon of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, with its many advanced technologies. Nissan employees in Oppama, Smyrna and Sunderland are excited to continue producing the most popular electric vehicle in the world.”

The first-generation Nissan Leaf is the most heavily demanded electric car in existence, with 283,000 units having been built – around 40,000 more than the entire Tesla range so far.

Nissan expects demand to grow with the introduction of the new Leaf, due to its vastly improved performance and less divisive design. But trends suggest its place as the most-demanded electric vehicle may be diminished by the Tesla Model 3, which has been ordered around 400,000 times.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/...onfirmed-production-facility-next-nissan-leaf

1d175d9a466517643541e9356fd192ca.jpg


ba3026aa8f036302b96c3145e833b488.jpg
 
Nissan signals a future EV crossover model

Nissan is likely to introduce an electric SUV in the near future as it expects demand for electric vehicles to increase in coming years.

"We might have a crossover EV shortly in the future," Daniele Schillaci, head global sales and marketing who also oversees Nissan's EV business, told reporters.

"It's totally logical for us, given the strong EV experience we've had, to see this technology one day will be carried to a crossover," he added, while declining to elaborate on specific timing or models.

Nissan on Wednesday launched a revamped version of its Leaf EV hatchback model, going head-to-head with Tesla's Model 3 and hoping to blunt criticism of limited driving ranges undermining EVs' mass-market appeal.

Nissan says the new car can run for 241km on a single charge, based US EPA regulations, using a 40 kWh battery. Prices in Japan will start from 3.15 million yen (R370 517). Nissan is planning to release a longer-range, higher priced Leaf next year which will carry a bigger, 60 kWh battery. Schillaci said the car would be able to travel more than 362km.

The Leaf's launch comes after Tesla made its first foray into the Leaf's more affordable price band in July with its $35 000-base-price (R447 000), 352km-range Model 3.

GM's Bolt, released last year, runs for about 455 km and has a price tag of about $37 000 (R473 000).

Schillaci said the carmaker was also looking at ways to expand its "e-Power" petrol-electric hybrid system into other regions following strong sales in Japan of the e-Note, its compact MPV launched last year, which was the first model to use the system.

https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/nissan-signals-a-future-ev-crossover-model-11131486

e3d8acda1f448ae5946200f622f0e4a0.jpg
 
Nissan Leaf World Launch - Ciro travels to Tokyo - Cars.co.za

[video=youtube_share;OavVQ77r-Ho]https://youtu.be/OavVQ77r-Ho[/video]
 
Nice one. I hope they will be on sale in Cape Town. Its a decent-looking car
 
EVs in SA: Private sector, government must partner to fast track electric mobility

Nissan SA managing director – Mike Whitefield

Johannesburg - The debate on whether or not Electric Vehicles (EV) are viable in South Africa rages on. According to early adopters, electric cars paint a brighter future for the world, yet at times, their sentiments suggest that developing countries aren’t quite ready for the technology.

Sceptics highlight lack of government support and infrastructure as elements that inhibit the adoption of EV, particularly pointing towards lack of charging stations in the country.

Bigger picture

However, when you dig into the benefits of owning an electric vehicle and what it can offer not only to individual consumers, but also the community at large, we see a picture of what could be.

EV offers an opportunity to transform ordinary citizens into active citizens with the power to improve the quality of our environment, and help blaze a trail toward the future of electric mobility.

According to a Deloitte study based on electric vehicle realities versus consumer expectations, technology is moving so fast that it’s predicted that the automotive industry will reflect more change in the next 10 years than it has in the past 30.

While first-world countries like Norway, the US and Japan are expected to lead the technology revolution, developing countries with strong automotive industries – like South Africa – are likely to follow not far behind, so we must be prepared for the imminent change in the vehicles we drive.

So what stands in the way?

Deloitte’s Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index found more than 85% of respondents considered range, convenience to charge, and cost to charge were all “extremely important” or “very important” considerations for buying or leasing an electric vehicle. As such, it’s up to the private sector and government to make these necessities a reality.

One of the biggest opportunities facing the industry is technology infrastructure. In markets where EVs have experienced rapid adoption, it was incentivised by the local and or national government until buying patterns and a charging infrastructure were established. In South Africa, discussions are continuing between the industry players and government to usher in the era of EV.

For example, Nissan SA entered into a ground-breaking partnership with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), which is assisting in policy formulation regarding electric vehicles.

This pilot programme aims to identify the usage potential as well as the charging infrastructure requirements of the electric vehicle with more energy efficient cars and demonstrates ambitious and visible actions towards reducing carbon emissions.

As African countries develop and industrialise, uptake electric vehicles will continue to increase.

South African citizens, manufacturing companies and government should seize the opportunity to better their communities, while ultimately positioning ourselves as a leader of in EV technology adoption.

It’s up to us to build for the future and improve our sustainable environment in the country.

http://www.wheels24.co.za/News/Gear...tner-to-fast-track-electric-mobility-20170927

Leaf.jpg
Leaf 2.jpg
 
Nissan Leaf Nismo confirmed for 2018 with new concept reveal

Nissan will launch at "racier" version of EV in a bid to attract younger audience; concept previews look

The new Nissan Leaf will be offered in Nismo form to enhance its appeal and attract younger buyers, the brand has confirmed at its Nissan Futures event.

An image of the Leaf Nismo Concept, which previews the final design, shows that it will feature more aggressive bumpers, deeper side skirts and unique wheels.

The reveal comes weeks after design chief Alfonso Albaisa told Autocar that adding a “racier version” with Nismo trim could help the second-gen hatch reach image-conscious buyers — something its predecessor struggled to do.

“The previous Leaf’s design wasn’t popular with the majority of people,
so its look couldn’t contribute to sales,”
 he said. “The new car
 is lower, wider and sportier, with the point
 of this design being to
 get greater accessibility of the market.”

Albaisa said it would be easy to develop Nismo parts for the new Leaf. Such a practice isn’t new to Nissan because it offers Nismo trim on several models, including the Juke.

A hotter Leaf E-Plus is also due in 2019. It will have higher-capacity batteries and a stiffer structure. A Nismo pack could make such a model constitute a performance variant.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/nissan-leaf-nismo-confirmed-2018-new-concept-reveal

be45165ce65ac291aa30010c74915d2a.jpg


1b8167aaec9b231081e0f5d083ea9a53.jpg
 
Range is not the biggest issue with EVs, the charge time is.

How long does it take to get to full charge again?
 
All these cars are just "steps" in the right direction...

One day, we going to look back at this and see vehicles like this and go "OH! we had to go THERE from that" :)
 
New Nissan Leaf to cost £26,490 (~R480 000) at launch

Revamped version of world's best-selling electric car goes on sale, with 80-mile range boost from new 40kWh battery

The second-generation Nissan Leaf electric car has gone on sale in the UK, priced at £26,490 (including a government grant). It will initially be offered as a ‘2.Zero’ limited edition.

The Leaf is the world’s best-selling all-electric car and Nissan has heavily reworked the new model to take on increasing competition in the fast-growing electric car sector. It is powered by a 147bhp motor – 40bhp more than the outgoing car – that produces 199lb ft. It can achieve 0-62mph in around eight seconds, 3.2sec faster than the current car.

The new Leaf is fitted with a floor-mounted lithium ion 40kWh battery, compared with a choice of 24kWh and 30kWh on the old car, and Nissan says it has a New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) range of 235 miles on a single charge. That’s 80 miles more than the current range-topping 30kWh battery and 111 miles more than the entry-level Leaf.

At £26,490, the new Leaf costs £500 less than a mid-range Black trim 30kWh first-generation car, although it is £4,810 more than the current cheapest Leaf, the 24kWh Vista trim.

Due to feedback that the old Leaf’s distinctive style wasn’t popular with some buyers, Nissan has given the new model a substantial makeover that echoes the new Micra. The exterior design has been refined in a wind tunnel to reduce wind resistance and increase efficiency.

The new Leaf will also be the first model sold in the UK with Nissan’s ‘ProPilot’ semi-autonomous driver assistance system, which can steer, accelerate and brake for the driver on highways and in single-lane low-speed traffic. It also features an autonomous parking system.

The Leaf also features an e-Pedal, which automatically combines the resistance of the front-axle regeneration system and brakes to slow the car when the driver lifts off the pedal. The Leaf interior features a new 7in infotainment system that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2.Zero launch edition comes with 17in alloy wheels, privacy glass, LED daytime running lights and a leather steering wheel. Order books are now open, with the first cars due to be delivered at the start of 2018.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-nissan-leaf-cost-£26490-launch
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X