2019 Nissan Leaf e+ revealed, not for Oz yet
Japanese EV gets more power and more range thanks to powertrain upgrades.
Nissan has revealed the Leaf e+ this week, a more powerful version of its popular electric vehicle that also offers more range per charge.
Scheduled to hit the Japanese market this month ahead of US and European releases later this year, the Leaf e+ claims to offer 40 per cent more range than the standard version, rated at 458km on Japan's WLTC cycle – by comparison, the regular Leaf claims 322km on the same test method.
The extra range is courtesy of a "55 per cent" larger battery capacity, which would make the e+'s unit 62kWh. Hooked up to the energy storage unit is a 160kW/340Nm electric motor, up 50kW and 10Nm over the standard model – performance figures are yet to be properly quoted, however.
Despite the extra battery capacity, the Leaf e+ can be charged in a similar amount of time to the standard version thanks to a new 100kW Quick Charging system. Currently, Leaf owners can use up to 50kW charging.
The vehicle's packaging and dimensions are pretty much unchanged from the standard car, too, with the exception of a 5mm increase in overall height when riding on 16-inch alloys.
Other changes include a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system for US and European models, along with a Door-To-Door Navigation function that synchronises with compatible smartphone for "seamless driving and walking directions".
Australia
The Nissan Leaf e+ is on sale in Japan now, priced from ¥4,162,320 ($53,495.86), with details for export markets still to be announced.
Speaking with CarAdvice, Nissan Australia's corporate communications manager, Tony Mee, said the Leaf e+ isn't on the cards for our market at the moment, though the local arm is keen.
"Our immediate focus is on launching the all-new second generation LEAF to the Australian market when it arrives mid-year," he said, "The Nissan LEAF e+ is currently available in Japan and has not been offered to us, however it is a vehicle we are interested in."
2024 Toyota BZ4X FWD review
0
