Nissan is busy getting ready for their big launches at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.
Among the conventional models, the 2018 Nissan Leaf EV will be a standout car and before the reveal, the company has revealed some teaser images to keep the audience excited.
From the basic design and the images released so far, the Leaf could borrow some of the successful design aspects from the latest generation Micra. The compact design and stylish design of Micra had made it a favorite among buyers. Nissan is working hard to make sure their Leaf is not only advanced in terms of technology but also appealing to the average person. Some noticeable elements include a stretched back headlight which uses next gen LED technology and uses more intricate lens details to differentiate it from the Micra.
The photograph reveals a car that is heavily camouflaged. Obviously, the automobile brand wants to keep things under wraps before the reveal at the Tokyo motor show. The car is also based on the IDS concept revealed in 2015 that brings in horizontal taillights. There may be more changes before the actual production version of the model hits the auto show. Being their improved version of the car with electric technology incorporated into it, Nissan’s engineers are making striking changes to bring it on par with Tesla models and other cars in the segment.
“We are not only working on the design aspect of the upcoming 2018 Nissan Leaf EV but also on its overall range. The car would go possibly more than 250 kilometers making it reliable enough for long trips. In order to accomplish it, we should mount a much bigger battery and an efficient engine that doesn’t compromise on power as well as mile range. The full model change for the Leaf will be out by 2020,” commented Shiro Nakamura, Chief Creative Officer at Nissan.
The Nissan head also added that providing 500 kilometers like Tesla and Audi does is not a problem at all. They have the technology to do it but when such level is achieved, it increases the cost of the Leaf EV making it very expensive for buyers. A new Leaf that could go 300-miles is under development and when it does, it will be priced competitively so that switching to EV isn’t a tough call. Tesla has similar plans to launch Model 3 priced at $35,000 with 300-mile range possibly by 2019.