The upcoming 2013 Leaf will get a 25 percent range increase over the current model, according to Japanese newspaper SankeiBiz (via GreenCarReports). As the '12 Leaf carries a 73-mile range rating, that would mean the updated version (which will be built in Smyrna, Tennessee) could be good for roughly 91 miles on a single charge.
Interestingly, SankeiBiz also claims that Nissan is considering creating an entry-level Leaf with a smaller battery pack and a lower price. If approved for production, the starter-kit version might be a Japan-only model, though it could potentially provide a boost to the Leaf's flagging global sales if Nissan decides to offer it in other markets as well.
For now, the only changes Nissan has officially announced for the 2013 Leaf are a more efficient heating system and new options (leather seats and a 6.6-kilowatt charger), but stay tuned for more updates.
