This morning in Tokyo, Nissan unveiled the second-generation Leaf. It has more range and more power than the old car, yet it will cost slightly less when it goes on sale in Japan next month, then in the US, Canada, and Europe in this coming January.
The restyled 2018 Leaf is lower and more sculpted than its bulbous predecessor, Nissian talked up the new look as sleek and aerodynamic to maximise range.
Yes, Greater Range
At launch, the Leaf will have a 40kWh pack, which ups the the range to 150 miles in the US per EPA testing. In Japan, the range is 400km (248.5 miles) under the Japanese JC08 cycle. In the EU the Leaf will have a range of 235 miles.
That’s a significant improvement over the 107-mile range of the previous model’s 30 kWh battery, but doesn’t match the Bolt and Model 3’s EPA ratings of 238 and 220 miles.
When the 2019 model year arrives the second half of next year, a 60kWh pack will also be available, giving the Leaf range parity with the current Chevy Bolt. Chev plans more powerful Bolt for 2019.
Charging times are 16 hours at 3kW, 8 hours at 6kW, and you can get an 80 percent charge in 40 minutes on a DC fast charger.
The new Leaf also has 38% more power, increased to 147 horsepower reaching a top speed of 89mph, which again falls well below specification offered by rivals.
More Tech But Not All Is Coming to the US
The second-generation Leaf has Nissan’s driver assist system, called ProPILOT Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, plus a whole raft of other safety systems to warn of errant pedestrians or vehicles in various blind spots.
ProPILOT Park is a fully autonomous self-parking system and it only requires you to hold down a button. Sadly, 2018 Nissan Leaf won’t be equipped with ProPILOT Park in the US, but Nissan is looking into adding this feature for future model years in the US.
One-pedal driving comes to the Nissan Leaf. The New e-Pedal, which drives the car forward when depressed and brakes when pressure is released, should increase driving efficiency and be all that a driver needs to operate the vehicle for around 90% of urban driving. The Leaf will slow to a halt and can hold itself steady on an hill incline without the need to depress a brake pedal,. You still use the standard break pedal for emergency or aggressive braking.
The e-Pedal can be disabled by the driver.
Infotainment System Makes Major Gains
Finally, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included, and, as before, you can control some functions of the Leaf remotely.
Price
When it goes on sale next year in the US, it will start at $29,990, before any federal or local tax incentives
