The third-generation Nissan Leaf is slated for its global debut very soon, and Nissan has been feeding us bits of information for a better idea of what to expect. Spoilers: it’s more responsive, smoother, quieter, and confident.
The new Nissan Leaf will be the first Nissan model to adopt the company’s all-new three-in-one electric powertrain. Nissan says it is 10% smaller than the motor used in the outgoing Leaf, and will produce up to 214 hp and 355 Nm depending on the variant.
Thanks to this smaller powertrain, a more spacious interior is made possible by packaging the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) system under the bonnet instead of behind the instrument panel.
The car will also feature new multi-link rear suspension, designed to improve handling by increasing lateral stiffness by 66%. Built on Nissan’s CMF-EV platform, the new Leaf benefits from a more rigid body structure, enhancing both ride comfort and agility. Nissan also claims a two-decibel reduction in cabin noise at speeds up to 50 km/h.
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Thanks to an upgraded rack electronic power steering system, the new Nissan Leaf boasts a turning radius of 5.3 metres (a 0.1-metre improvement over the second generation) despite the larger 19-inch wheels.
The new Leaf will also feature a liquid-cooling system for the batteries that uses a new thermal recovery system. This clever system harvests heat from the on-board charger to warm the batteries, improving regeneration potential especially in cold weather.
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Chief Vehicle Engineer Hiroki Isobe’s team, said, “The top priority for our engineering team was optimizing thermal management and never wasting energy. We even capture the heat produced by the on-board charger to warm up the battery.”
Currently, there are no information regarding the battery size and range of the car yet. We will have to continue waiting patiently for Nissan’s next teaser or “insight” of the next generation Leaf – although given that the car is set to launch soon, we probably won’t have to wait for too much longer.
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