The new Nissan Leaf becomes its second generation in power not only more powerful but also more-more range of 500 km with the largest battery of the two possible-.

The Nissan Leaf, the world’s best selling electric car, already has substitute. Yes, the new Leaf, eight years later it appeared the first, will arrive in showrooms in January and of course, It brings much more than a change in silhouette, although this is one of the most striking aspects.

Mitsuroti Morita, its designer, defines its line with the terms "cool" Y "tech" and live, there is little to remind us of the current Leaf and yet, small similarities abound with the IDS concept car, amen of a front as the last Nissan. Clearly, You searched reduce car production printing, but something is, and hence its horizontal lines. Grill feature V-Motion, the headlamps or tail lights boomerang-shaped make it easily distinguishable; but not only new Nissan Leaf, 4.48 m long, is different from any other car, also the shape of the body is extremely effective. In fact, its drag coefficient is low, 0.28; and achieved even when the bottom of their low lacks cowling or other coating.

We’ve only been proven in closed loop and low speeds, but everything portends that the noise from the crash into the air will not be a problem on long trips with him Because yes, you will have enough energy remaining to not be considered an exclusively urban car and, even without visible presence of sound-absorbing materials in the wheel, rolling noise will not be very different from the current Leaf. At least with wheels Dunlop Enasone EC300 with dimensions 215/50 R17 and find a low level of road noise. Obviously, we will leave doubts when we carry out our first measurements, and away from the Japanese test track in Tochigi we could drive it for the first time.

Another design element contributes to lower car production printing -has 1.54 m, only one less than its antecesor- is the roof in contrast to the rest of the body. It will be an option and can be chosen from black, gray or blue. European markets for the chosen colors are eight, six metallic and two solid.

2018 Nissan Leaf electric long distance

He propulsion system of the Nissan Leaf is new, Although the e-Powertrain, which is defined as the mark that make up the package control unit, inverter, motor and gearbox, still has a similar to that of the first generation distribution in a single block.

The investor, faster; It is one of those new elements; although the most striking change is the engine: 109 moves from the current generation to 150 hp, which will mean a substantial improvement in performance that will allow this compact electric stop in 7.9 seconds acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h. The electrical system would give more power to support and, the project manager, Hiroke Isobe, presumes that there would be problems integrating an engine up to 220 hp. “Does this leaves open the possibility that, in future, have a second engine for the Leaf, even more powerful 150 hp those with which you throw and near 200 hp?” We asked. No answer, but the doctor smiling Isobe moves us what Nissan today confirms: over the next year there will be that version, although not yet disclosed how power.

However, where the bulk of a revolution is another generation of Nissan Leaf in terms of energy, it is in the new joint lithium-ion battery. As has been the case with the current model, which had battery packs high voltage of 24 to 30 kWh, the new maintain the choice between two capacities, higher than today, but will occupy a similar space with the new arrangement of the lithium cells polímetro its thickened and reduced spaces between them. Incidentally, also it enhanced cooling.

So, lower battery capacity Leaf, always linked to 150 hp, -the pair passes mkg 25.9 32.7 41 kWh mkg- will, as in Renault ZOE. In addition, the Leaf also will feature higher capacity battery, not yet unveiled by Nissan that presumably will have between 53 and 56 kWh.

If the first, the 41-kWh, autonomy will reach 378 km-about 240 in actual use, we say- with the second, more powerful engine that will link, with some slack be exceeded 500 km. And not only will allow the Nissan Leaf be an electrical long range, but may remain little time stopped leaning, because in 40 minutes could have 80 percent spare capacity. It 3kW loading all the battery in 16 hours and replenished with twice the power in half the time.

Even with the new battery pack 41 kWh, the weight of the new Nissan Leaf only 19 kilos increases over its predecessor.

Nissan Leaf 2018, adapted to Europe

We have made contact with Japanese versions of the new Nissan Leaf which, we are told, they will not be exactly the same as we can see in Europe and will drive in the first week of October in Oslo (Norway). There will be changes regarding the adjustment of the suspensions, but it will remain, as it is logical, the architecture of independent wheels with McPherson front wheels and rolls a torsion beam rear. Springs, shock absorbers and, in all probability, a stabilizer thicker, more ability to reduce body roll, are different from each other Nissan Leaf, depending on their market. What it does not seem to be the direction will vary, electrically assisted and releases new software other than the current generation.

Behind closed doors, the design is fluid and appear blue accents on seats, steering wheel or dashboard itself. East except for the area of ​​instrumentation, it is in one piece and lose some of the galactic effect getting distribution indicators floors above Nissan Leaf. The instrumentation is simplified and even striking finding a analog speedometer with a screen, this other digital and multiconfigurable. Another 7 “screen, this center would bring features like navigation, with more points próximos- load, audio, load, power indication … carplay will feature Apple and Android Auto in versions with browser.

Below this we find a TFT screen controls for the climate control seems from the same model it replaces; As with the command that selects the direction of travel, neutral or park position. Yes ahead of “gear knob” found some new controls, such as e-pedal or automatic parking system; below the air conditioning, and in a very low position, it is the key to which it starts or stops the engine.

The quality perception does not seem strong point and, indeed, we confirm that some assemblies for the European market will be reviewed at the same time tell us that what we see are preproducción- units and between what is modified from Nissan Leaf tested at the Technical Center Nissan Tochigi to which will arrive at dealerships there will be changes like replacing some other hard plastics soft, which it is what could happen with some areas of dashboard or doors; incorporating lights in the vanity mirror or LEDs instead of bulbs or lighting points, and more practical, the modification of the anchorages of the front seats, to allow greater distance taking the wheel There will be versions with electrical regulations, while heating will be a universal equipment; wave incorporating a movable floor in the trunk , remarks their useful height to flush the floor or edge loading or rear seats once folded, what is done in 60/40. By the way, no-the spare wheel puncture repair kit is a side hatch after trim plastic- us about 435 liters.

Another expected change is the position of the eco button -suaviza acceleration and climate spends less, resulting in more autonomy-, that Europe will be on the wheel.

From the dimensional point of view, the new Nissan Leaf provides proper living space, similar to the previous Leaf, both height and width, although a slight decrease in longitudinal space under our first measurements. We’ll see if confirmed when we have access to a car more calmly although yes we have seen, apart from the driver if it’s high will not have much space if the regulation of its seat is not extended, is that behind the space not is very large.

Nissan Leaf 2018, autonomous driving

E-Pedal, Propilot and Propilot Park are three terms that will have to get used to link to the Nissan Leaf, they define some of their contributions support systems driving edge, a sort of technological democratization.

If the e-pedal allowed to drive virtually without using the brake and encourages the driver is attentive to anticipate their reactions; the Propilot is the first step of the new Nissan roadmap towards autonomous driving in one lane, it will allow the Leaf keep distance with the car that is ahead, braking or regaining control set speed cruise autonomously. Even if the car ahead of us stops, the Leaf will and you just have to touch the accelerator to reactivate the Propilot. We attest that the system works very well, even very naturally keeping the car between the lines marking the lane without pulling or abruptness. Next year, llIt egara for Nissan autonomous driving multilane and in 2020, at intersections. For later -within the next decade, but without specifying when-, it will go on sale the first Nissan absolutely autonomous city driving.

For his part, Propilot Park leaves the driver in parking maneuvers, the only task of choosing where you want to park, online or on battery, even selecting the position from three different places. He takes care of the rest thanks to an array of sensors including a dozen ultrasound and four high-resolution cameras.

Moreover, the Leaf will have the aid package to the already known driving Nissan, Intelligent Protection Shield, with lane change warning control blind spot autobrake in case of risk of collision, subsequent traffic during reversing maneuvers or chamber 360.