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| 2014 Nissan Leaf Release Date, Specs, Price, Pictures |
2014 Nissan Leaf Review, Price, Interior, Exterior, Engine. - The silhouette of the worlds most popular pure electric vehicle hasnt changed, but as production starts in Europe the multi-award winning Nissan LEAF has undergone a number of significant engineering enhancements.
New Nissan LEAF is more agile than before thanks to a comprehensive raft of chassis changes while it will go further on a single charge. The NEDC range has increased from 175 kms to 199 kms thanks to a series of engineering improvements.
And a new optionally available on-board fast charger halves the time needed for a complete battery recharge. Some of the changes have been made to improve its efficiency, some to enhance its practicality, some to enrich the ownership experience but together they make an even more compelling case for electric vehicle ownership.
"The comprehensive changes we have made to this pioneering car reinforce its unique character: unexpected, smart, accessible and progressive. We have listened to our customers and we have been working on making the European-produced version of our multi-award winning car better for their particular needs" said Paul Willcox, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan Europe.
Release Date
2014 Nissan Leaf will arrive in showrooms in December 2013.
Price
Base price for 2014 Leaf S model will cost $ 29,650.
Interior and Exterior
Basic features of the exterior and interior of Nissan’s model, Leaf 2014 have not changed. Two trim levels, Charge Package (LED Headlights and Quick Charge Port) and Premium Package, for the time being impoverished in terms of offers Rear View Monitor, which is now part of the standard equipment of all level trims. Within the facilities, equipment and systems for easier and more convenient manage 2014 Nissan Leaf vehicles involved: 16? aluminum alloy wheels, hybrid heater system, EV-IT functionality with voice commanded navigation system and sms read out, EV touch with 7-inch color LCD screen display, digital display with Eco indicator and speedometer, lower liquid crystal meter display, power meter, battery temperature gauge, capacity level gauge, Pandora audio system with 6 speakers, Pandora link for iPhone. New CARWINGS System includes remote charge system, climate control system, hill start assist, POIs powered by Google and Quick Charge Port (allows charging to 80% capacity in 30 minutes).
New Nissan LEAF is built on a bespoke EV platform with a 2700 mm wheelbase. It is 4445 mm long, 1770 mm wide and 1550 mm tall. Its distinctive shape is highly aerodynamic: subtle changes to the grille - virtually the only visual change between original and New LEAF - and a new 17-inch wheel design have reduced the Cd figure to a best of just 0.28.
As before the front of the car is framed by the slim, almost vertical, headlights, with LED lighting on top models. The lights also direct airflow away from the door mirrors to help aerodynamics and reduce wind noise.
The body was designed using Nissans smart fluidity principle with the kicked-up roofline blending into a large spoiler while the wind cheating shape is further helped by the flat, smooth underfloor. The rear view is dominated by thin, gently curved, vertical taillights and is, of course, notable by the total absence of an exhaust pipe.
Engine
2014 Nissan Leaf use 80 kW AC synchronous motor that is paired with a 24 kWh lithium ion battery with 48 compact 4-cell modules, the new Leaf, provides the power of 107 hp with 187 lb-ft of torque. Range is also increased, and the EPA standards, of 73 miles, now increased to 75 miles per 90% charge. With 100% battery charge , 2014 Nissan Leaf can exceed even 84 miles. One of the novelties, 2014 MY, just so, 6.6kW on board charger, which reduces 220V charging time in half, and so far, fully charge takes four hours.
As before, the motor is powered by a Nissan-designed 48-module compact lithium-ion battery mounted in a single pack under the cabin area to keep the cars centre of gravity as low as possible. The battery pack is housed in a strong metal case giving extra protection in a side impact and is now assembled alongside Nissan LEAF in a new facility at Nissans European production base in the UK.
Performance against the clock hasn changed slightly with a top speed of 144 km/h (down by 1 km/h) and 0-100 km/h taking 11.5 sec (0.4 seconds quicker than before and improvements to the cars aerodynamics, a weight loss programme and other technical changes mean the official NEDC range has risen from 175 km to 199 km.
Greater practicality is also promised by the option of an on board 6.6kW charger which allows the use of 32 amp public or home chargers.
A 32 amp post will recharge a depleted battery in half the time of a typical domestic 16 amp EV socket - four hours instead of eight - but more importantly it can give a meaningful boost to a partially used battery even during a short stopover.
With 600 CHAdeMO standard quick chargers now installed across Europe, even quicker charging is available for EV drivers. A quick charger delivers 50 kW of high voltage direct current straight to the battery mean even quicker charging - it takes just 15 minutes to boost a battery from 30 to 80 per cent capacity.
