A brand new all-electric Nissan LEAF is due out subsequent yr. The compact EV that began all of it is getting a makeover to compete with new rivals. Right here’s what we all know in regards to the next-gen Nissan LEAF thus far.
Nissan is gearing up for a serious transition because it gears as much as go all-electric within the UK. The automaker introduced it might cease constructing ICE autos in Europe in September.
After saying sweeping plans for an electrical future, Nissan is doubling down on EVs. Final week, the corporate revealed that it might make investments as much as £3bn ($3.8B) to construct three new EVs at its Sunderland manufacturing unit.
Two electrical fashions are new, whereas the third, the Nissan next-gen LEAF, is due for a major improve.
Nissan is changing two top-selling SUVs, the Juke and the Qashqai, into all-electric fashions. The Qashqai was the top-selling automobile within the UK final yr, whereas over 1M Juke’s have been offered.
The brand new EVs might be primarily based on the ideas Nissan revealed on the Japan Mobility Present. The Qashqai will doubtless be impressed by the Hyper City idea as the most important mannequin with a cushty inside.
Nissan’s Hyper Punk idea looks as if inspiration for the Juke EV, with an edgy design tailor-made for content material creators, influencers, and artists.
So, the place does that depart the next-gen Nissan LEAF? After over a decade in the marketplace and greater than 1 / 4 million models constructed at Sunderland, the LEAF is due for a serious design overhaul.
Nissan’s next-gen LEAF will kick off new EVs in 2024
The brand new Nissan LEAF would be the first of the three constructed for European markets. A supply at Nissan advised Automotive Information Europe that the next-gen Nissan LEAF will launch on the finish of subsequent yr.
Nissan’s LEAF was a trailblazer, launched in 2010 as one of many first mass-market EVs. Nevertheless, over the previous 13 years, new rivals have launched extra superior electrical fashions with longer ranges and higher options.
Analysis from Dataforce exhibits LEAF gross sales fell 31% to 11,568 by way of October in Europe. In the meantime, Chinese language rivals like BYD and SAIC’s MG are gaining floor.
For instance, SAIC offered 52,520 MG4 electrical fashions in Europe throughout the identical time. BYD additionally launched its SEAL electrical sedan and SEAL U, that are designed for European consumers. The SEAL begins at 45,000 euros (round $48,000) with a variety of as much as 354 mi (570 km).
Nissan will launch the next-gen LEAF as a crossover coupe SUV to compete higher. The LEAF will obtain a sleeker, decrease model to keep away from competitors with the electrical Juke or Qashqai.
Based on a Nissan supply, its design might be nearer to the Ariya, the model’s first electrical SUV. Nissan has mentioned that the next-generation LEAF is being previewed in its Chill-Out idea.
Nissan’s Chill-Out EV is a “cellular haven” with a productive and cozy inside design. The idea relies on the CMF-EV platform used for the Ariya. It’s additionally geared up with Nissan’s e-4ORCE electrical 4WD management system.
The brand new LEAF might be utterly redesigned, avoiding related design options of the primary two generations.
Its batteries will come from Nissan’s cell plant, which is at the moment beneath development. The brand new batteries (Gen5) will supply 30% extra vitality density than the present LEAF’s 62 kWh pack. It can assist increase vary to 239 miles (385 km), placing it on par with VW’s ID.3 (343 miles from a 77 kWh battery).
The electrical Juke EV is predicted to observe the brand new LEAF, launching the next yr, in 2025. Nissan’s Qashqai EV will debut round 2027.
Electrek’s Take
Nissan will kick off its EV marketing campaign subsequent yr with the next-gen LEAF. The automaker plans to launch 19 new EVs by 2030.
It’s no shock Nissan is updating the LEAF with an entire redesign. For a very long time, the LEAF was the best-selling EV (cumulatively).
With new, extra superior fashions from Tesla and Chinese language EV makers taking market share, Nissan is shaking issues up. Nissan sellers had been proven the brand new EVs over the summer season, with one describing the brand new LEAF as a “mini Ariya.”
Though the report notes the next-gen LEAF is debuting in Europe, Nissan is predicted to launch it within the US. The Ariya is already outpacing the LEAF by a large margin in US gross sales. Nissan offered 9,699 Ariya fashions within the US by way of September whereas solely promoting 5,804 LEAFs. A smaller, extra compact electrical crossover with extra vary at an identical worth would doubtless enhance EV gross sales additional.
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