Nissan has launched a Nismo version of its Leaf electric hatchback in Japan, offering a more urgent powertrain, sportier handling and an aggressive look.
The Leaf Nismo has been altered by Nissan’s performance division and was previewed in a concept earlier this year. Although it won't be sold outside of Japan, it could preview the look of a Nismo trim variant that could make it to the UK.
The Leaf Nismo has been given a more urgent powertrain and sharpened throttle response. No performance figures have been released, but improvements are expected on the standard car’s 7.9sec 0-62mph time and rolling acceleration pace.
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Also added are 18in wheels wrapped in Continental ContiSportContact 5 tyres, different dampers and an altered electronic stability control system, to make the car feel sharper and more eager on the road.
The powertrain hardware remains the same as the normal Leaf's, with a 40kWh battery pack providing energy to an alternating current synchronous electric motor. But a new custom tuning computer has been added to enhance the system’s performance.
To mark it out from the standard car, Nismo has added a new front grille and bumpers, with contrasting colours and a Nismo badge. There’s also a diffuser at the back. Inside, there are Alcantara sections on the steering wheel, red trim and different gauges, as well as a carbonfibre-effect finish on the dashboard.
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One of the most important
One of the most important factors of the hot hatch segment is the sound, so hopefully they improve this aspect, spaceship like or not, from the standart version which sounds boring as hell.
Your missing the point.
I reckon that the aim is for it to be a match for the Golf R in the traffic light grand prix.
This will open up the lucrative hot hatch market to a whole new customer demographic.
Locknload66 wrote:
I could say that at least we won't have the awful, synthetic sounding 'sports' exhausts that so many of performance models have now (and surely aren't road legal), but I'm sure they'll come up with something equally as unpleasant and artificial.
Those wheels will cripple the
Those wheels will cripple the ride & reduce the range. Not really an enhancement. Being able to rapid charge twice would be more use!!