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Basic Specs
| Base Price | $35,200 |
| Drivetrain | Front Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 3385 |
| City (MPG) | 106 |
| Hwy (MPG) | 92 |
| Horsepower | 107@TBD |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 207@TBD |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 |
| Length (in.) | 175.0 |
| Width (in.) | 69.7 |
| Height (in.) | 61.0 |
Nissan's Leaf is a halo car of the times, sporting not sporty specifications or sleek and sexy lines, but rather environmentally friendly credentials aimed at showing the brand's commitment to eco-friendliness.
Although the Leaf is still fairly new to the market, Nissan has already decided to mix things up a bit by revising equipment levels and raising prices slightly.
Likely the most notable change comes in the form of standard fast charge capability (30 minute charge time for 80 percent capacity on 480 volts) on the SL trim level, previously available as an option. Charging at home through a regular 220-volt outlet is estimated to take approximately eight hours.
For U.S. consumers, Nissan says that the average cost for a charging dock with installation will be $2,200, before an eligible federal tax credit of 50 percent of recharging station costs – up to $2,000. Nissan says with average U.S. electricity costs a full charge will cost approximately $3.00.
The second change comes in the form of added content across all trim levels due to the fact that the "Cold weather package" has now been added to the standard equipment list. The change adds a battery warmer, heated steering wheels and front and rear heated seats.
What sets the Leaf apart from virtually everything else on the road is the fact that it is powered by 48 laminated compact lithium-ion battery modules and a high-response 80kW AC synchronous motor that generates 107 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. These figures put horsepower around average or slightly lower than the latest crop of similarly-sized gas-powered cars, but the torque rating bests all economy-minded C-segment cars.
Due to the fact that the Leaf burns no gasoline, fuel economy ratings arrive in the form of something known as MPGe, or miles per gallon equivalent. The Environmental Protection Agency has finally delivered its findings on the electric car, rating the Leaf at 106 MPGe in the city, and 92 for the highway, for a combined rating of 99 MPGe. Based on those EPA estimates, annual fuel (electricity) costs for the Leaf are expected to be just $561.
The same EPA testing suggests a 73 mile range for the vehicle, while by contrast, Nissan predicts a range of 100 miles from a full charge, citing California regulation testing.
Longer range capability is aided by LED headlights that consume just 10 percent of the electricity of conventional lamps, and optimized aerodynamics further improve overall efficiency.
Inside the Leaf Nissan has created what it refers to as a wide, high tech instrument panel, identified by its twin-combination meter display in front of the driver and a center C-stack covered in a black piano finish with a seven-inch information display.
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 power meter, battery temperature gauge, multi-function display, remaining energy gauge, capacity level gauge and distance to empty display.
The car will be the first model compatible with Nissan’s recently announced iPhone application that will allow owners to monitor their car’s battery level away from their vehicle, the application will let owners see how much charge is left in their car’s battery, how much time is required for a full charge and, for public charging stations, the approximate cost of a fill-up.
Seating comes in the form of front buckets and a 60/40 split rear bench. Keeping with the eco-friendly concept of the car, Nissan says recycled materials make up at least some portion of the seats, rear door trim, roof trim, headliner, carpeting and miscellaneous interior bits and pieces.
Safety credentials
The Nissan Leaf comes bearing many safety credentials, including a 5-star overall vehicle rating for safety as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The Leaf is the first fully electric vehicle to earn this highest distinction from the program.
The Leaf has also been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, thanks to Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection, three-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver’s seat ELR only) with pretensioners and load limiters, child seat upper tether anchor and LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system and child safety rear door locks.
Other technology driven safety features include Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS), both standard on all models.
Key competitors
Nissan's all-electric Leaf competes with the new Ford Focus Electric directly, as well as the little-known Coda electric sedan - assuming it stays in business. Realistically, the Leaf will also be cross-shopped with the Chevrolet Volt, as well as the Toyota Prius and Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid.
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- General
- Body Style: Hatchback
- Size: Midsize
- Market Segment: Standard
- Weight: 3385 lbs
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- Exterior
- Length: 175.0 in.
- Width: 69.7 in.
- Height: 61.0 in.
- Wheelbase: 106.3 in.
- Ground Clearance: 6.3 in.
- Front Track: 60.6 in.
- Rear Track: 60.4 in.
- Weight Distribution: TBD
- Drag Coefficient: 0.29
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- Interior - General
- Seats: 5
- Passenger Volume: 98.3 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume: 14.5 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): 24.0 cu. ft.
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- Interior - Front Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 42.1 in.
- Head Room: 41.2 in.
- Shoulder Room: 54.4 in.
- Hip Room: 51.5 in.
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- Interior - Second Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 31.1 in.
- Head Room: 37.3 in.
- Shoulder Room: 52.5 in.
- Hip Room: 50.0 in.
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- Propulsion
- Fuel Type: Electric
- Engine Type: -
- Power: 107 hp @ TBD rpm
- Torque: 207 lb-ft @ TBD rpm
- Transmission: 1-Speed Direct Drive
- Highway Fuel Economy: 92 mpg
- City Fuel Economy: 106 mpg
- Forced Induction: None
- Direct Injection: No
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- Chassis
- Layout: Front Wheel Drive
- Front Suspension: Strut-Type
- Rear Suspension: Torsion-Beam
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- Wheels
- Front: 16" Aluminum
- Front Tires: P205/55R16
- Rear: 16" Aluminum
- Rear Tires: P205/55R16
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- Trailering & Hauling
- Trailer Weight: TBD
- Payload: N/A
- Tongue Weight: TBD
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