Nissan Leaf
Limited-run flagship version of Nissan’s EV gets 239-mile range and an extra 66bhp
Extra power and range, plus CES report
Nissan has launched a new range-topping Leaf EV that produces 214bhp and features an extra 62 miles of range.
The Leaf 3.Zero e+ Limited Edition, launched at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, has a new 62kwh battery in place of the standard 40kwh unit. That gives the limited-run car, of which 5000 examples will be available in Europe, a range of 239 miles on the WLTP test cycle.
With the larger battery, Nissan has also increased the electric motor’s power output by 66bhp, from 148bhp on the regular car. The revamped machine also has an increased top speed of 97mph and 250lb ft of torque.
The new battery features 288 cells, compared with 192 in the 40kwh version. Nissan says this offers a 25% increase in energy density and 55% in energy storage capacity for minimal extra size. The 3.Zero e+ sits 5mm higher to account for the larger underfloor battery, but all other dimensions are unchanged.
The Leaf 3.Zero e+ also gets a range of exterior and interior tweaks, including a new 8.0in infotainment screen and two-tone bodywork options.
Those design tweaks will also be offered on a new Leaf 3.Zero, which retains the 40kwh battery and output of the existing, standard car.
The Leaf 3.Zero e+ will be priced from £36,795 in the UK, including the £3500 government grant for zeroemission cars, and the 3.Zero will start at £31,095 (including grant). The regular Leaf starts from £21,990.
Both are now available to order. Deliveries of the 3.Zero will start in May. The e+ arrives in the UK in the summer.