[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/nissan-leaf-nismo-works\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/nissan-leaf-nismo-works\/","headline":"Nissan Leaf Nismo in the works?","name":"Nissan Leaf Nismo in the works?","description":"Electric vehicles (EVs) have come a long way in a short space of time. However, if you\u2019re one of those people that still thinks they\u2019re slow, boring and expensive then you haven\u2019t been paying attention. Yes, sluggish and dull EVs do exist – we\u2019re looking at you, Citroen C-Zero and Renault Kangoo Z.E – but these pricey low volume models emerged during the technology\u2019s infancy and provide little accurate indication of what modern EVs can do. These days, the mention […]","datePublished":"2016-08-24","dateModified":"2016-08-25","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/feature-2-5.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/feature-2-5.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/nissan-leaf-nismo-works\/","about":["LATEST CAR NEWS","MOTORSPORT"],"wordCount":548,"keywords":["Citroen C-Zero","Kangoo Z.E","Kia Rio","Leaf Nismo","nissan","Nissan BladeGlider","Nissan Leaf Nismo","Nissan Nismo","supercar","Tesla Model S"],"articleBody":"Electric vehicles (EVs) have come a long way in a short space of time. However, if you\u2019re one of those people that still thinks they\u2019re slow, boring and expensive then you haven\u2019t been paying attention.Yes, sluggish and dull EVs do exist – we\u2019re looking at you, Citroen C-Zero and Renault Kangoo Z.E – but these pricey low volume models emerged during the technology\u2019s infancy and provide little accurate indication of what modern EVs can do.These days, the mention of electric vehicles is likely to conjure up supercar-tinged thoughts of the Tesla Model S or economical hybrids like Mitsubishi\u2019s Outlander PHEV.What really triggered this mindshift was the Nissan Leaf, which burst onto UK roads as the world\u2019s first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2011. It looked and drove like nothing else, providing more than 100 miles of comfy, practical, pure electric motoring with no nasty emissions coming out the back-end.A critical and commercial success, the Leaf is clearly here to stay and its popularity has blossomed to the point that the range demands to be fleshed out. We\u2019ve had the e-NV200, an all-electric panel van built on the Leaf\u2019s underpinnings, but many would rather see Nissan take the car in a performance direction. They may soon have their wishes granted after Nissan\u2019s EV bods hinted that a pepped-up Leaf could be in the works.The Leaf Nismo RC (Racing Competition) concept car from 2011 showed what Nissan could do with the technology and lessons from that car could trickle down to influence a go-faster Leaf.The car was constructed as a real racing machine, with full carbon fibre monocoque bodywork, which means it is superlight and super aerodynamic, with initial tests seeing it dart to 62mph in 6.85 seconds.Anyone that has driven the standard Leaf will tell you that its instant torque and smooth acceleration makes it deceptively nippy and certainly more eager than its 11.5 second 0-62mph time would suggest. But there are quicker alternatives out there such as VW\u2019s eGolf (10.4s) and BMW\u2019s i3 (7.3s), so the performance of the concept – which is five years old, remember – seems promising.Compared to the conventional Leaf, the race car was 0.8 inches longer and 6.7 inches wider, despite a wheelbase that was almost four inches. However, its height was the biggest dimensional change, sitting at more than a foot lower (13.8 inches), with a 2.4 inch ground clearance (previously 6.3 inches).Weighing 938kg, it was around 40 per cent lighter than the production Leaf too so its power output needn\u2019t be mega, boasting a modest 107bhp, the same as a 1.2-litre Kia Rio.So what chances have we of ever seeing a Leaf Nismo in Nissan showrooms? Quite favourable, it seems.Speaking to Car Magazine, Gareth Dunsmore, director of EV Nissan Europe, said: \u201cI was part of the team that brought Nismo to Europe on Juke and I was very proud to do that. We learnt a lot working very closely with our Nismo colleagues.\u201cIn Japan, we have a special-edition Leaf called the Leaf Aero Style, which is a more sporty package. One thing we certainly need to do is challenge perceptions and that\u2019s also what Bladeglider is here to do – to challenge those perceptions.\u201dTake from that what you will."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Nissan Leaf Nismo in the works?","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/nissan-leaf-nismo-works\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]