..:: AUTO REPORT AFRICA ::..
Related Articles
The 2018 all-new Nissan LEAF was finally revealed this Wednesday in the U.S. as Nissan continues its pursuit of a clean-energy future while at the same time maintaining its position as the global leader in electric vehicle sales. Chief Performance Officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, José Muñoz, who is also the Chairman, Nissan North America, Inc., unveiled the 2018 Nissan LEAF at a media event at Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Centre. The debut immediately followed the LEAF’s global launch in Tokyo, Japan. The next-generation of LEAF, the world’s best-selling affordable, mass-production electric vehicle, goes on sale at Nissan dealers in all 50 states in the U.S. early 2018.
The debut immediately followed the LEAF’s global launch in Tokyo, Japan. The next-generation of LEAF, the world’s best-selling affordable, mass-production electric vehicle, goes on sale at Nissan dealers in all 50 states in the U.S. early 2018.
“When we launched LEAF in 2010, it instantly became the most affordable, mass market EV in the world. We are not walking away from that proposition,” said Muñoz. “The value equation for the new LEAF is even stronger than ever before – beginning with a starting MSRP under $30,000. That’s a lower price than the LEAF in the market today and it includes more power, range and technology, all wrapped in a beautiful new exterior and interior design.”
The new 2018 LEAF features a 150-mile driving range, aerodynamic exterior, roomy high tech interior and advanced technologies including ProPILOT™ Assist and e-Pedal. It is the first step in the re-launch of Nissan’s EV platform and will be followed in the model year 2019 with a high-power version with increased motor power and battery capacity.
“This new LEAF is not just the latest symbol of Nissan’s global leadership in the EV segment, it is the culmination of everything we’ve learned from more than two billion miles of real life, on-road driving and from the feedback of hundreds of thousands of owners around the world, particularly LEAF customers here in the U.S.,” added Muñoz.
To date, Nissan has sold over 112,000 LEAF EVs in the United States and more than 283,000 globally.
The new LEAF is also the embodiment of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, a global initiative that focuses on how Nissan vehicles are driven, powered and integrated into society. Its new ProPILOT Assist (Nissan’s advanced single lane driver assistance technology), helps ease driver workload by reducing the amount of driver acceleration, steering and braking input under certain driving conditions. While it is a “hands-on” system, it previews Nissan’s ongoing development of future leading edge autonomous drive technologies.
The LEAF’s revolutionary e-Pedal technology transforms the driving experience. It lets drivers start, accelerate, decelerate and stop by increasing or decreasing the pressure applied to the accelerator. When the accelerator is fully released, regenerative and friction brakes are applied automatically, bringing the LEAF to a complete stop. The car holds its position, even on uphill slopes, until the accelerator is pressed again. The reactiveness of e-Pedal helps maximize driving pleasure.
“We believe the new LEAF will be another game changer for Nissan in the U.S., just as the redesigned Rogue has been in the last year and a half, hitting the ‘sweet spot’ in the growing EV segment,” said Muñoz. “It takes everything we’ve learned from our loyal first-generation LEAF owners to the next level.”
The new-generation Nissan LEAF will begin making its first public appearances next week at National Drive Electric Week events in eight U.S. cities. Nissan LEAF is the official sponsor of National Drive Electric Week for the third straight year.
