The Nissan LEAF was introduced in December 2010, as the world’s first affordable, zero emission car for the mass market. For 2015, Nissan LEAF continues to make it “easy to be green,” offering the space and range to meet everyday needs, with a starting price after tax incentives competitive with a comparable gas-powered car.
The estimated driving range for the 2015 LEAF on a fully charged battery is rated by the EPA at 84 miles and MPGe ratings are 126 City, 101 Highway and 114 Combined. In addition to zero tailpipe emissions and convenience of charging at home, LEAF drivers enjoy a smooth, quiet ride with its running noise of just 21 decibels measuring less than a typical ceiling fan (26 dB).
The 2015 Nissan LEAF is available in three trim levels: LEAF S, SV and SL, along with option packages offering advanced systems such as Around View Monitor and Energy Efficient Series Bose premium audio system. Enhancements for 2015 include a new MorningSky Blue exterior color (late availability), the addition of Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant and Voice Destination Entry for SV and SL grades, and new standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels for the SV grade (late availability). Also, the base LEAF S grade receives standard “B-Mode,” which engages regenerative braking more aggressively while decelerating. All 2015 LEAF models include three drive modes: Normal, Eco-Mode and B-Mode.
Built on a Dedicated EV Platform
The front-wheel drive LEAF uses a dedicated EV platform with batteries housed in the floor for optimum vehicle packaging and weight distribution. The body design includes a rigid-mounted battery frame, which helps provide greater body rigidity compared to a conventional compact car.
LEAF rides on a 106.3-inch wheelbase, with a 175.0-inch overall length, 69.7-inch width and 61.0-inch height. Nissan LEAF provides room for five adults and 24 cubic feet of cargo space. Placing the batteries in the floor of the vehicle provides optimum weight distribution to help enhance handling and allows for five-passenger seating by not intruding into the cabin space.
LEAF’s 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack contains 48 compact modules of four cells each (192 cells total), which allows a high degree of packaging flexibility. The batteries are designed to maximize driving range and minimize charging time.Nissan LEAF offers a number of charging options. A charge port is located in the front body for the 240V charger and portable trickle-charge cable (110V). A charge port light and lock are standard. The available Quick Charge Port (standard on SL, optional on S, SV) allows charging to 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes at public charging stations using a CHAdeMO fast charger. There is also a standard photovoltaic solar panel spoiler on SL models, which supports charging of the 12-volt battery for vehicle accessories.
LEAF SV and SL grades feature a 6.6 kW onboard charger that require less than five hours at 240V for a full charge. The system is an option on LEAF S, which in standard form utilizes a 3.6 kW onboard charger. All LEAF models come with a standard portable trickle charge cable. Unlike a conventional internal combustion engine, LEAF has 100 percent of its torque available from start, delivering smooth, consistent acceleration and driving feel similar to a conventional V6 engine.
Distinctive “EV Touch” Interior
The roomy Nissan LEAF interior offers a pleasingly modern design with a bright, welcoming atmosphere. The wide, high tech instrument panel design is dominated by a twin combination meter display in front of the driver and a center “floating” C-stack with a 4.3-inch color LCD display (S grade). A 7.0-inch display is standard on SV and SL grades. The digital “eyebrow” display at the top of the instrument panel provides high visibility for the Eco indicator and speedometer, while the lower liquid crystal meter display houses the percentage style state-of-charge meter, power meter, battery temperature gauge, multi-function display, remaining energy gauge, capacity level gauge and distance-to-empty display.
Added to the EV-IT system for 2015 are Voice Destination Entry (VDE) and Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant (part of NissanConnectSM), drivers can manage incoming text messages via voice control without taking their hands from the wheel or eyes off the road. Drivers are alerted to an incoming text and, after initiating the system, can hear the text read out loud and respond via voice recognition, or via the steering wheel switches using pre-set answers such as “driving, can’t text,” “on my way,” “running late,” “okay” or a custom message.
We here at Takes On Tech have been impressed by the LEAF’s performance over the past few years and we look forward to bringing you more coverage of the updated 2015 models as they roll out.
