Nissan Leaf 2018: electric, and then after?

Frédéric Mercier

Tuesday, 23 January 2018 10:51

UPDATE
Tuesday, 23 January 2018 10:51

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We are waiting again, this time when motorists move away from dependence on gasoline-powered vehicles to turn to the electric models.

Despite an offer of more interesting, electric cars (EVS) do not even represent 1% of sales of new vehicles in the country. That is a drop of water in the ocean.

Read also: electric Cars: when will the tsunami as expected?

Read also: The autonomy of electric cars is still afraid to consumers

But the car manufacturers do not lose hope. With a combination of prices, revised downwards, autonomy, upward and generous government subsidies, the adoption of mass of the VE seems inevitable. Remains to be seen who will succeed to and take advantage of that.

The long-awaited launch

Last year, Chevrolet has taken the bull by the horns by initiating the commercialization of the Bolt, a full electric up to a range of 383 miles. Here, we begin to chat.

At Nissan, it’s been a few years that it is in the niche market with the Leaf, the first fully-electric car to achieve a large-scale production. It is the FIFTH most sold in the country. Except that after a few years without much change, the Leaf was due for an update. And that is exactly what Nissan offers us to 2018.

Nissan Leaf 2018

Nissan

A self improvement

One might think that Nissan would have done everything to provide a new Leaf with a range greater than or at least equal to that of its american rival, the Bolt. Instead, Nissan has merely a battery of 40 kWh to travel a distance of 241 kilometres on a charge. Advantage Chevrolet.

In defense of the Leaf, its base price of $ 35 998$ is much more interesting than the
45 145$ is asked for the Bolt. And its autonomy remains higher than that of its other rival, the Hyundai Ioniq EV and Volkswagen e-Golf.

Nissan Leaf 2018

Nissan

Instead of putting the emphasis on the autonomy, Nissan has instead decided to seduce its customers with an impressive integration of technology in the new Leaf.

It requires, in particular, the e-Pedal, an energy recovery system that allows you to drive the vehicle without even needing to use the brake pedal. All electric vehicles are equipped with a similar system, but the Nissan is remarkably effective, and can actually drive the Leaf without ever having to touch the left pedal. It is rather unsettling during the first few minutes, but you get used to it frankly quickly. And you can take a taste!

In terms of comfort, however, the Leaf is not an example to follow. The front seats are rather narrow and the support of the seats would be much advantage to be improved.

In the trunk, Nissan, merely to offer a load capacity identical to that of the older generation. Its configuration, hatchback, in fact, a vehicle amount to any practice, but we would have liked to see a progression in this chapter.

Nissan Leaf 2018

Nissan

The techno at the forefront

The integration of the e-Pedal is a fine example of the technological effort that has been put into the development of the new Leaf, but this is also just the tip of the iceberg.

With the SV, sold from 39 598$, Nissan adds several interesting options. The most notable of which is certainly the system ProPilot, which allows the Leaf to be almost all alone on the motorway, by adapting its speed to the speed of the traffic and maintaining the vehicle in its lane. ProPilot, however, requires a constant attention of the driver, who must keep both hands on the steering wheel if he wants that the system continues to work.

Nissan Leaf 2018

Nissan

Always with the Leaf SV, it also offers an application to connect to their vehicle remotely from their phone. For example, we can check the charging status, unlock the doors or adjust the air conditioning. It is also with this version that it has the right to the infotainment system NissanConnect, compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Nissan Leaf 2018

Nissan

A SL version is also available with even more equipment (like leather seats, better sound system, and heated outside mirrors. Even this variant more top of the range, to 41 998$, remains less expensive than a Chevrolet Bolt base.

In short, if you don’t need the 383 miles of range that offers the Chevrolet Bolt, be aware that the Nissan Leaf offers a lot more for not a lot less expensive. Fans of techno will be satisfied.

And for those who want to ride far without having to stop to reload, Nissan promises us a Leaf with extended range by the end of the year.

Technical data sheet

Name: Nissan Leaf 2018
Base price : 35 998$
Configuration : the Vehicle front-wheel drive with engine at the front
Mechanical: electric Motor and 40 kWh battery
Power/torque: 147 hp/ 236 lb-ft
Autonomy: 241 kilometres
Recharge time 16 hours (3kW), 8 hours (6kW)
Competition: Chevrolet Bolt, Ford Focus Electric, Hyundai Ioniq, electric, Volkswagen e-Golf