Nissan Leaf production starts in Japan

Nissan has started production at its Oppama facility for the Nissan Leaf, which is planned to go on sale in December in Japan and the United States, and from early 2011, in select markets in Europe. In November, the company will begin exports to the United States, followed by shipments to Europe in December.

Nissan Leaf wins 2010 Good Design Gold award

Nissan Leaf (earlier post) has won the "Good Design Gold Award 2010" hosted by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization. This award was not given only based on the actual design of the car, which employs a design concept called "Smart Fluidity", but also for Nissan's overall holistic approach to design "Life with EV".

Infiniti working on compact model

According to Autocar, Infiniti's compact car project is well under way and it will previewed as a concept at the upcoming Geneva motor show. The car could then be revealed in production form next autumn, at either the Frankfurt or Tokyo motor show.

It’s likely to be based on a front-drive platform sourced from the next-gen A-class as part of a tie-up between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan alliance. A model like that is essential for Infiniti's lineup in order to boost sales in Europe.

Infiniti will also get a fully electric model based on the Nissan Leaf. The car will be launched in 2013 and it will come to the U.S. market.

Nissan models to be unveiled at LA Auto Show

Nissan has already released a shot of the new Murano CrossCabriolet (earlier post) and we have already seen the new USDM Quest (R42H), which will share its platform with the new Elgrand (エルグランド) codenamed E52.

Of course, the updated GT-R (earlier post), along with the production version of Leaf, will be there but there is more... as Nissan will also display the Ellure Concept! The only thing known about this concept is the fact that it's a sedan and Nissan has described it this way in official press materials:

"Nissan's dramatic new-value sedan exploration, the Nissan Ellure, is designed to bring a higher level of progressive and distinctive expression to the segment – adding passion and emotion to traditional sedan efficiency."

I guess we will soon find out what's all about...

Nissan Leaf: Less demo cars due to strong demand

Nissan's US dealers will each give up one of their Leaf demo cars as the factory tries to satisfy initial demand for the car. Initially, dealers were promised two demo Leafs, but now they will get just one. This move translates in as many as 1,000 extra Leafs going to consumers.

Only 20,000 Leafs will arrive in the US in the first year, due to the limited production volume. Nissan is investing $1.6 billion to construct another lithium-ion battery plant in Smyrna, Tenn., where it will also assemble the Leaf, but that supply will not come on line until late in 2012.

The USDM Leaf will be launched in December.

[Source: Automotive News]

Nissan sets up special Leaf support team in US

Introducing an EV vehicle to the market is not as simple as someone may thing, mainly due to consumer's anxiety. It's something totally new after all. Therefore, Nissan has decided to set up a dedicated support team of thirty technicians and ten engineers trained in the Leaf’s drivetrain. The team will be visiting customers who experience issues with the car.

A similar support system is being introduced in Japan. 

[Source: Automotive News]

Nissan Leaf wins European 2011 Car of the Year award

Nissan Leaf has won the European 2011 Car of the Year award and for sure it's a first for an EV! In total, the Leaf scored 257 points, while Alfa Romeo's Giulietta came second scoring 248 points and the Opel Meriva third by scoring 244 points. 

Well done Nissan!

Nissan introduces Leaf in Japan

Nissan announced today the launch of Leaf, which goes on sale December 20th in Japan. It will be followed by the United States, also in December, and in select European markets in early 2011. Release in other global markets is set for 2012.
 

The Leaf, on JC08 mode, achieves a driving range of 200 km. Prices start from 3,764,250 ¥, including the consumption tax. Since customers in Japan are eligible to receive up to 780,000 ¥ through government EV incentives for fiscal year 2010, the consumer's net price starts from 2,984,250 ¥. 

To help ensure comfortable, convenient and safe use of the new EV, Nissan offers a "Nissan zero-emission Support Program" for individual customers. The program which includes EV-IT communication charge, maintenance support such as regular inspections and the first car safety inspection, charging at Nissan dealers, discount service for Nissan Rentacar and emergency support in case of trouble - at the monthly rate of 1,500 ¥. For corporate customers, Nissan provides "Nissan EV Fleet Maintenance Service."

Nissan dealers nationwide also provide "one-stop service" - from vehicle purchase to arranging for the preparation of a charging environment for detached houses. In addition, 200-volt normal charging is available at about 2,200 Nissan dealers nationwide. About 200 of these dealers are equipped with quick chargers that can charge the battery up to 80% of its full capacity in about 30 minutes. At least one quick-charge unit is available within a 40-kilometer radius throughout the country for the convenience of Leaf drivers.

Nissan Leaf: Demo of smartphone access

How does Nissan's Leaf drive...?

I have read many articles about the Nissan Leaf and its launch in Japan, and one thing is certain. The Japanese are very serious about EVs and Nissan wants to be a market leader. It is planned that 5,000 quick chargers will be installed across Japan by 2020! But the big question in my mind is how it actually drives...

According to Reuters, so far, the feedback has been good. On recent test drives, drivers were impressed with the instant engine torque and acceleration of a car with a maximum speed of 145 km/h.

In Saitama, a city just north of Tokyo, residents who had won an online lottery to test-drive the Leaf also gave it a thumbs-up.

"I knew it was going to be quiet because I'd been in other EVs before," said Kazuhiro Futamura, a 36-year-old businessman. "But the acceleration, steering and response, it was linear, if you know what I mean. I thought that was quite impressive," added Futamura, who had also ridden in BMW's experimental Mini E and Mitsubishi's i-MiEV.

Racing driver Seiji Ara said it was obvious the engineers had paid close attention to the ease and precision of how the car handles. "The car does exactly what you tell it to do," said Ara, who races on a Nissan-backed team. "It's a difficult area to master, but also very important," he added.



[Source: Automotive News]

Nissan Leaf: Video showing production stages

Nissan Leaf's power system among '10 Best Engines' for 2011

Ward has announced yesterday that Nissan Leaf's power system is included on its prestigious '10 Best Engines' list for 2011. As you can imagine, it is the first time that a power system which doesn't have an engine is included. 

The Leaf features a high-response 80kW AC synchronous motor powered by a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery manufactured at the Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC) operation in Zama, Japan, which is a joint-venture of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and NEC Corporation. Both motor and inverter have been developed by Nissan, and the power system generates 107 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. The power is transferred to the wheels through a single-speed reduction gear.

Nissan and Mitsubishi dealer alliance for mutual use of fast chargers

Nissan and Mitsubishi EV dealers across Japan have agreed for mutual use of the quick chargers. I reckon that this is a smart move and it will encourage people to buy an EV...

[Source: GAZOO.com]

Nissan Leaf's rear aerodynamic design

Since fuel efficiency, range in the case of EVs, plays a very important role nowadays, it is self understanding that among top priorities when designing a new car is aerodynamics.Inoue Makoto, chief designer of Nissan's Global Design Product Division, gives Leaf's rear design as an example.

The air flows coming from the roof, side and under the floor had to be separated. For that reason, the taillights have a a more convex shape in order to act as spoilers. Also, the lack of an exhaust sysem has enabled a much better design, aerodynamically, which would not be possible in the case of a car equipped with an internal combustion engine. 

Even the design of the antenna has been carefully considered in order to limit the generated wind noise. Therefore, the antenna has a pentagon shape with a round tip. Another important area was the edge of the rear bumper, in order to have a clear separation of flow.

[Source: Response]

Infiniti EV sedan coming in 2013

Infiniti is already working on a compact model (earlier post) and also, on an EV sedan. The latter is sceduled to go on sale in 2013. 

According to managing director Shiro Nakamura, the sketch shown above is a very good indication of what to expect to see on the streets. The final design is going to be decided in the middle of 2011.

[Source: Response]

Official trailer: Revenge of the Electric Car

Delivery of the world's first Nissan Leaf

Real-time info of EV chargers in Osaka to be delivered to navi systems

Osaka Prefecture (大阪府) announced that real-time information from the fast chargers will be able to be delivered to EV's navigation system. This system will enable the efficient operation of the 50 Nissan Leafs which are planned to be used as taxis and for car sharing. Among the information to be provided will be the location of the fast chargers, condition of use, condition of state (full or empty) and availability time. Also, reservation of chargers will be possible via the phone. The system has been developed by Unisys.

The charger infrastructure network in Osaka consists at the moment of 17 fast chargers with two 200V chargers. Forty more 200V chargers, where the telecommunication facility will be installed, are scheduled to be set up in the near future.

[Source: Response]

Nissan Leaf’s dynamic online digital brochure

Check out the Leaf's dynamic online digital brochure! It describes every innovation that makes up this historic car.

Nissan Leaf's EV-IT demo (Japanese)