FastMotoring Motor News In Speed
Nissan Japan unveiled the their debut all-electric vehicle on 2nd August 2009 at Nissan’s Japanese headquarters in Yokohama.
Nissan Leaf is a zero-emissions vehicle that is a dedicated, mass production electric-vehicle that is slated for launch in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and Europe. Nissan leaf is a medium-sized five-door hatchback is based on a unique platform and it is equipped with a fully electric drivetrain that consists of a 107HP electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged through any home outlet providing a driving range of more than 160km. The overall size is slightly larger than the Latio or Tiida (whichever you call it in your country).
“Our car had to be the world’s first, medium-size, practical EV that motorists could afford and would want to use every day. And that’s what we’ve created,” said Masato INOUE, Nissan Product Chief Designer. “The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF but also the owner as a participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility.”
An interesting detail concerns the headlights which have been designed to split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, in order to reduce wind noise and drag. According to Nissan, the lights provide yet one more benefit in that they consume just 10 percent of the electricity of conventional lamps.
The overall size of the Nissan Leaf at 4,445mm (175-in.) long, 1,770mm wide (69.7-in.) with a height of 1,550mm (61-in.) and a wheelbase of 2,700mm (106.3-in.). Furthermore, the Leaf is larger than your usual C-segment hatch too.
The Leaf’s batteries can be charged up to 80% of its full capacity in just under 30 minutes with a quick charger while a full charge at home through a 200V outlet is estimated to take approximately eight hours. The socket for the Leaf’s charging plug is hidden underneath a flap with the Nissan’s logo on the bonnet.
Nissan claims that the Leaf will have a driving range in excess of 160 km while the hatchback will be able to achieve a top speed of over 140 km/h.
The Leaf will also come equipped with an advanced IT system that will be connected to a global data centre, providing support, information, and entertainment for drivers 24 hours a day.
Nissan will build the Leaf at its Oppama plant, Japan, with additional capacity planned for the firm’s Smyrna plant in Tennessee, USA. The EV’s lithium-ion batteries are being produced in Zama, Japan, with additional capacity planned for the USA, the UK and Portugal, and other sites around the world.
