NISSAN is carrying out a host of mid-life tweaks to the Leaf to coincide with the start of UK production of its pioneering all-electric car. There aren’t many visible alterations but under the skin there are over 100 changes.
The most obvious benefit is a claimed improvement in range for a single charge-up from the mains from 109 to 124 miles.
The most obvious benefit is a claimed improvement in range for a single charge-up from the mains from 109 to 124 miles.
That won’t suddenly make the Nissan Leaf an interesting proposition for high-mileage sales reps, but it’s a useful improvement for existing converts to the cause of electric cars who mainly do short trips.
Nissan has also introduced a new warranty scheme for the Leaf’s batteries; as well as the existing five year/100,000 mile cover, there’s a “state of health” clause that provides for a repair or a replacement of the battery if its performance tails off more sharply than expected.
Other changes include revised interior trim and a bigger boot, thanks to the relocation of the charging equipment to under the bonnet. Nissan says it has also modified the Leaf’s chassis in order to give improved driving pleasure on European roads, although this wasn’t generally regarded as an area of weakness on the original car.
The latest Leaf is available in three trim levels – Visia, Acenta and Tekna – bringing it into line with the mainstream Nissan range.
The entry-level Visia has steel wheels and black door mirror caps, while the Acenta gets sixteen-inch alloy wheels, suede fabric seat trim, body coloured mirror caps and rear privacy glass.
The top-of-the-range Tekna has seventeen-inch alloys, LED headlights, and a Bose sound system. Nissan says that the introduction of the base Visia model will allow it to introduce a new, lower price point for the Leaf, which should improve its attraction as a business car.
