Leaf Zero is a long distance hero

TWO new versions of Nissan’s increasingly popular Leaf electric car are on the way – with one of them offering a 40 per cent increase in range.

The Leaf was the top selling electric vehicle (EV) in Europe last year and now the Japanese maker is hoping to build further on that success with the launch of two new Leaf 3. Zero models which will hit UK showrooms from May.

Features will include a new eight-inch infotainment screen enabling additional connectivity services such as door-to-door navigation, new body colours and two-tone colour combinations.

Priced from £31,095 - including the £3,500 UK Government Plugin Car Grant – the standard 3. Zero model features the 40 kWh battery but more interesting is the 3. Zero e+ Limited Edition which comes with a 62 kWh capacity battery providing a higher output capable of delivering 214 bhp, 340Nm of torque, and a longer driving range expected to be up to 239 miles from a single charge.

That’s 62 miles more than the available 177 mile range of the 40 kWh model, but there’s a price to pay, for the special edition model – only 5,000 of which are being produced for the whole of Europe - costs from £36,795 after the Government grant.

With the more powerful motor, acceleration from 50mph to 75mph is nearly 13 per cent quicker, while top speed has also increased from the 40kWh version to 97mph – a 10 per cent boost.

First deliveries of the Leaf 3. Zero are expected to start in May while initial deliveries of the e+ Limited Edition will start in the summer.