The Nissan Leaf is an undisputed leader in the electric vehicle (EV) market.
It was the first EV to be mass-produced (in our very own Sunderland no less) and made zero-emission motoring a viable option by offering style, practicality and a genuinely dynamic drive in an affordable hatchback-shaped package for the first time.
The second-generation Leaf has just started rolling off the production line, boasting a longer range (now 235 miles) and more potent powertrain.
In its regular guise, the new Leaf delivers a bracing drive, thanks to a power output of 110kW – the equivalent of 147bhp – and 320Nm of torque available from the millisecond you touch the accelerator.
But what if it had more?! *evil cackle*
Yeeeees, car fans are always keen to go one step further and the idea of Nissan’s Nismo division being let loose on the Leaf has been a tantalising prospect for years.
And now it has finally happened after Nissan confirmed it will reveal a Leaf Nismo concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show late October.
What we know
Any juicy details are being kept under wraps for now, but what we do know is that it will boast a sporty new exterior designed by Nismo, Nissan’s motorsports and in-house tuning division.
Nismo’s racing technology has been applied to the car’s body to enhance aerodynamic and create less lift without impacting on the Leaf’s excellent drag coefficient of 0.28.
The Leaf Nismo’s nastier nature is highlighted by the dark interior which features Nismo’s signature red accents that combine to create an exciting feel.
Performance is heightened by the addition of sport-tuned suspension, high-performance tyres and a custom-tuned computer that delivers instant acceleration at all speeds.
In a statement, Nismo says its new concept car “combines the environmentally friendly character of an electric car with the exciting driving experience that’s always been a hallmark of the Nismo brand”.
The Leaf Nismo concept car will make its world premiere at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show on October 25th.
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