CES 2019: 2019 Nissan Leaf Gains More Range :Comments

[William Maley]

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Nissan had originally planned on debuting their long-range variant of the Leaf EV back at the LA Auto Show. But with the arrest of chairman Carlos Ghosn, plans were scrapped and we were left wondering when the long-range Leaf would debut.

Last night at the Consumer Electronics Show, Nissan unveiled the long-range variant known as the Leaf Plus - other parts of the world will know the model as the Leaf e+. The plus signifies a larger battery pack - 62 kWh. This boosts range from 150 to 226 miles. Along with the bigger battery, Nissan has bumped up the output of the electric motor from 147 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque to 215 and 250 respectively. 

For recharging, Nissan developed a faster 70 kW charging system that will allow the Leaf e+ have quick charge times similar to the standard Leaf. A 60 percent recharge (about 90 miles) takes about 30 minutes with the standard Leaf. That could mean a 30 minute quick charge in the Leaf Plus could net you about 135 miles. No mention of how long it takes for a charge on 120 or 240V chargers.

No word on pricing, but we're expecting a sizeable bump when compared to the standard Leaf. The Plus version arrives at dealers this spring in U.S.

Gallery: 2019 Nissan Leaf e+/Leaf Plus

Source: Nissan

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Nissan LEAF e+ joins world’s best-selling electric vehicle family

• New powertrain option offers expanded range and power

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Nissan today unveiled the Nissan LEAF e+, further broadening the appeal of the world's best-selling electric car*1 by offering a new powertrain with additional power and range.

The "e+" refers to the increased energy density of the model's 62 kWh battery pack and the higher output of its powertrain. The new powertrain adds to the car's range by approximately 40 percent, with EPA-estimated range of up to 226 miles, ensuring that there's a Nissan LEAF to meet the driving needs of a wider range of customers.

"The new Nissan LEAF e+ offers all of the style, convenience and electric vehicle benefits that have helped make LEAF the best-selling electric vehicle in the world, plus even more driving excitement, range, power and choice," said Denis Le Vot, senior vice president and chairman, Nissan North America. "Customers now have a selection of powertrains and models to best suit their driving needs."

The LEAF e+ will be sold under the LEAF PLUS Series in the US and Canada, with each trim level receiving its own designation of S PLUS, SV PLUS and SL PLUS. Globally, the vehicle will be referred to as the Nissan LEAF e+. 

More than 380,000 Nissan LEAF vehicles have been sold globally since the 100 percent electric model first went on sale in 2010, with over 128,000 sold in the US. Equipped with advanced technologies including ProPILOT Assist semi-autonomous driving system and e-Pedal mode for one-pedal driving, the LEAF embodies Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company's vision for changing how cars are powered, driven and integrated into society.

"Nissan Intelligent Mobility is at the core of everything we do and the new Nissan LEAF e+ takes this vision even further," Le Vot continued. "EV's will play a significant part in our product lineup as we move forward and will lead the way to providing an efficient and sustainable future for the world."

Having pioneered mass-market electric cars with the LEAF, Nissan is continuing to promote alternative vehicle transportation. The LEAF family of cars play a vital role in Nissan's efforts to integrate electric vehicles and energy systems into customer's lives – creating an "EV ecosystem." Among these efforts is Nissan Energy, the company's initiative for its electric vehicles to easily connect with energy systems to charge their batteries, power homes and businesses, or feed energy back to power grids, as well as new efforts to reuse batteries.*2

The Nissan LEAF PLUS Series is scheduled to join the LEAF at Nissan dealerships in Japan in January 2019. U.S. sales are expected to begin in spring 2019 and European sales to commence in mid-2019.

Nissan Intelligent Mobility

The Nissan LEAF e+ represents a step forward in each of the three key areas of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision: Intelligent Power, Intelligent Driving and Intelligent Integration.

Nissan Intelligent Power: increased range and performance
The Nissan LEAF e+ features a new version of the LEAF's revolutionary electric powertrain, delivering excellent energy efficiency and robust torque and power output. While the current LEAF meets the needs of many customers with its driving range of EPA-estimated 150 miles, the LEAF e+ offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 226 miles, allowing customers the ability to do more between charges.*3

The high-capacity battery and more powerful, 160 kW motor in the LEAF e+ combine to produce 45 percent more power and 250 lb-ft (340 Nm) of torque, enabling faster acceleration when driving at high speeds. Accelerating from 50 mph (80 kph) to 75 mph (120 kph) is nearly 13 percent quicker. This allows the LEAF e+ to confidently pass slower-moving vehicles, exit corners faster and more seamlessly, and merge easily with fast-moving traffic. The top speed has increased by approximately 10 percent for comfortable cruising.

Thanks to the available new 70 kW (100 kW peak) Quick Charging system, the 2019 Nissan LEAF e+ can charge more efficiently than ever.*3 Based on early testing, Nissan LEAF e+ owners can expect similar charging times when hooked up to a 100 kW charger as current LEAF owners do with a 50 kW charger, despite a 55 percent larger battery storage capacity.

Even with a 25 percent increase in energy density and the increase in energy storage capacity, the LEAF e+ battery pack is almost the same size and configuration as the pack in the Nissan LEAF. Other than a 5-millimeter increase in overall height (16-inch wheels), the car's exterior and interior dimensions are unchanged.

Because ownership satisfaction and peace of mind are pivotal for all Nissan LEAF owners, the battery limited warranty of 8 years/160,000 km (whichever occurs first) is standard for all versions.

Nissan Intelligent Driving: innovative ProPILOT Assist features and smooth e-Pedal operation
Playing a leading role in Nissan Intelligent Driving is ProPILOT Assist, an in-lane semi-autonomous driving technology that can automatically adjust the distance to the vehicle ahead, using a speed preset by the driver (between about 18 mph and 62 mph). ProPILOT Assist can also help the driver steer and keep the vehicle centered in its lane. If the car in front stops, ProPILOT Assist can automatically apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to a full halt if necessary. After coming to a full stop, the vehicle can remain in place even if the driver's foot is off the brake. If traffic restarts, the car will resume driving when the driver touches the steering wheel-mounted ProPILOT Assist switch again or lightly presses the accelerator to activate the system. All these functions can reduce stress when driving on the highway in both heavy and fast-moving traffic.

Further enhancing the LEAF's driving experience is e-Pedal, which allows the driver to start, accelerate, decelerate and stop using only the accelerator pedal.*4 To match the LEAF e+'s additional power and increased mass, Nissan has reprogrammed the e-Pedal software for smoother operation and enhanced pedal feedback, especially for operation in reverse, and for smoother and more rapid deceleration, making it easier to stop the car using e-Pedal, even when backing up.

In addition to ProPILOT Assist and e-Pedal, every LEAF is equipped with advanced safety technologies including Intelligent Lane Intervention, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Intelligent Around View Monitor with moving object detection.

Nissan Intelligent Integration: updated interface, larger display and convenient updates
The new Nissan LEAF links drivers, vehicles and communities through its convenient graphic-based Human Machine Interface. It allows the owner to use the NissanConnect smartphone app to perform tasks such as monitoring the vehicle's state of charge, scheduling charging to benefit from optimal energy tariffs, finding the nearest charging station, and heating or cooling the car before getting in.

New for the LEAF e+ (on North American and EU models) is a larger, thin-film transistor, full-color 8-inch display, with an updated navigation system that can be linked to a compatible smartphone. The display features smartphone-like operation including swiping, scrolling and tapping. Applications, maps and firmware are updated over the air with the simple touch of a button, instead of having to manually update by USB or at a Nissan dealership.*5

Other new features include Door-to-Door Navigation, which syncs the vehicle's navigation system with your compatible smartphone for seamless driving and walking directions. The Connections feature allows any of the car's passengers to quickly and easily connect to a device within the vehicle.*6

Integration goes beyond what's in the vehicle and now includes Nissan Energy, the company's existing and future initiatives for Vehicle-to-Grid, Vehicle-to-Building and Vehicle-to-Home connections, generating solar electricity, as well as reusing batteries. With Nissan Energy, LEAF vehicles are part of a larger electric vehicle ecosystem.*2

Sleek, modern design

One of the most eye-catching exterior elements of the new Nissan LEAF is the car's sleek, streamlined silhouette, which maximizes aerodynamic efficiency. The car's bold fascia features Nissan's signature V-Motion grille with blue 3D mesh. The car's streamlined profile gives it a sporty look, while the rear features a distinctive tail light design.

The LEAF e+ carries over most of the LEAF's design. Subtle clues to its e+ designation include a revised front fascia with blue highlights and an "e+" logo plate on the underside of the charge port lid.

There will also be a rear trim level badge for U.S. and Canada which will be designated as S PLUS, SV PLUS and SL PLUS.

Like the standard model, the LEAF e+ boasts a spacious, highly functional interior with a quality, high-tech feel. The combination of premium materials throughout the cabin befits a luxury vehicle. Vibrant blue contrast stitching for the steering wheel, seats and instrument panel accentuate the car as a Nissan electric vehicle.

Pricing

North America pricing will be announced closer to on-sale date.

View full article

[G. David Felt]

About damn time they got this delivered, but I do understand their air cooled battery pack was a failure and they needed a liquid system to do this with. Had to copy the Bolt for the most part on a long range liquid temperature controlled battery pack.

[Drew Dowdell]

The power bump should be nice.

[G. David Felt]

2 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

The power bump should be nice.

Make me wonder if they will finally offer the Performance version of the concept they showed off. It would be nice to have a Leaf e+ Nisimo.

[Robert Hall]

Not bad looking, more normal than the Bolt. 

[G. David Felt]

11 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Not bad looking, more normal than the Bolt. 

I actually like the look of their Leaf Nismo performance version.

Very cool it is being reported that it does go on sale in Japan first.

https://jalopnik.com/the-nissan-leaf-nismo-is-happening-1827748580

That is great for a performance EV.

[A Horse With No Name]

Given the Torque, HP, and low center of gravity with a battery pack...wonder what it would take to make one of those into an autocross car?

This should silence the gentleman from Pennsylvania who says these are going away soon.

1 hour ago, Drew Dowdell said:

The power bump should be nice.

That is GTI territory, with lots of low end Torque.  As an enthusiast, I see a LOT of upside to electrics.

[Drew Dowdell]

We still need to wait to see what cost will be.

[G. David Felt]

43 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Given the Torque, HP, and low center of gravity with a battery pack...wonder what it would take to make one of those into an autocross car?

This should silence the gentleman from Pennsylvania who says these are going away soon.

That is GTI territory, with lots of low end Torque.  As an enthusiast, I see a LOT of upside to electrics.

So Autoblog has a story on the Leaf Nismo and they got this info for the AWD Leaf Nismo Version:

the new Leaf Nismo RC blows away the old car in terms of performance. With two 120-kW electric motors, the Leaf Nismo RC has all-wheel drive and puts down 478 pound-feed of torque. It'll sprint from 0-62 miles per hour in a brisk 3.4 seconds. Nissan didn't disclose what battery the Nismo RC uses, or its capacity.

https://www.autoblog.com/2018/11/30/nissan-leaf-nismo-rc-race-car-electric-ev/

[regfootball]

still nergy as hell, we've long since past the point where in order for electrics to become mainstream, they have to look mainstream, and not continue to appeal to the greenies primarily

[balthazar]

yeeeech- brutal looking.

[ocnblu]

Perfect excuse (persecution of Ghosn) not to intro it.  It wasn't missed.  Who cares? 

Complete and total nerdmobile.  Distinctly powerful method of birth control.

[A Horse With No Name]

29 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

Perfect excuse (persecution of Ghosn) not to intro it.  It wasn't missed.  Who cares? 

Complete and total nerdmobile.  Distinctly powerful method of birth control.

Funny how I like electrics and managed to father five children. Elon Musk has a bunch...

1 hour ago, balthazar said:

yeeeech- brutal looking.

Outside of the Mustang and Challenger most modern cars are.

[balthazar]

^ No- there's bland/generic/homogenized, which is the middle 85% of cars.

[A Horse With No Name]

7 hours ago, balthazar said:

^ No- there's bland/generic/homogenized, which is the middle 85% of cars.

To each his own...watching a 69 March one drive through a traffic stream of modern cars...I will stick by brutal by comparison.

[A Horse With No Name]

9 hours ago, balthazar said:

^ No- there's bland/generic/homogenized, which is the middle 85% of cars.

And your argument fails on another ground...uniqueness.  one could argue that the rest of the Nissan lineup, outside of perhaps the Z car and Maxima, is just as ugly as the new Leaf. Therefore, being Ugly is non unique to electric vehicles and common with Nissan ICE cars.

I can say this more openly and honestly than you can, as I have no inherent bias against Asian cars. Hell....my son races a Nissan 240 and my daughters boyfriend races a Z car.

But you know my feelings about Ford...the Nissan lineup pretty much makes me want to run into a Ford dealership and drop a large amount of cash like yesterday.

So in the end I think we pretty much agree....the Leaf is hideous.

[G. David Felt]

12 hours ago, ocnblu said:

Perfect excuse (persecution of Ghosn) not to intro it.  It wasn't missed.  Who cares? 

Complete and total nerdmobile.  Distinctly powerful method of birth control.

I have to call BS on that, So many have kids including myself, yet where are yours? Seems Diesel and ICE clearly affected you maybe?  

1 hour ago, A Horse With No Name said:

So in the end I think we pretty much agree....the Leaf is hideous.

Even the AWD Nismo? ?

[A Horse With No Name]

21 minutes ago, dfelt said:

I have to call BS on that, So many have kids including myself, yet where are yours? Seems Diesel and ICE clearly affected you maybe?  

Even the AWD Nismo? ?

 

Just sayin'...how some rural communities define that...and yes on the Nismo as well.

[Drew Dowdell]

Put a bigger power pack in it, put it in the Altima or Maxima shell, and I'd have no problem driving it.