Automotive

Nissan extends Leaf life with boosted flower power

Nissan extends Leaf life with boosted flower power
Higher models of the 2016 Leaf will come with a new 30-kWh battery as standard
Higher models of the 2016 Leaf will come with a new 30-kWh battery as standard
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Higher models of the 2016 Leaf will come with a new 30-kWh battery as standard
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Higher models of the 2016 Leaf will come with a new 30-kWh battery as standard
The 2016 Leaf has a range of 107 miles (172 km), which Nissan says is the best-in-class
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The 2016 Leaf has a range of 107 miles (172 km), which Nissan says is the best-in-class
The 2016 Leaf has an 80-kW AC synchronous motor
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The 2016 Leaf has an 80-kW AC synchronous motor
The 2016 Leaf produces 107 hp (80 kW) and 187 lb-ft (254 Nm) of torque
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The 2016 Leaf produces 107 hp (80 kW) and 187 lb-ft (254 Nm) of torque
The 2016 Leaf takes around six hours to charge fully with the 6.6-kW onboard charger
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The 2016 Leaf takes around six hours to charge fully with the 6.6-kW onboard charger
The 2016 Leaf comes with the NissanConnect infotainment system as standard
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The 2016 Leaf comes with the NissanConnect infotainment system as standard
The 2016 Leaf SV and SL models benefit from the NissanConnect EV system
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The 2016 Leaf SV and SL models benefit from the NissanConnect EV system
The 2016 Leaf driver's instruments
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The 2016 Leaf driver's instruments
The 2016 Leaf gearshift
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The 2016 Leaf gearshift
The 2016 Leaf NissanConnect interface and customization settings have reportedly been improved
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The 2016 Leaf NissanConnect interface and customization settings have reportedly been improved
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Nissan has unveiled its 2016 Leaf electric car and, sadly, a glow-in-the-dark paint-job won't be an option. Other new "premium-look" colors, however, will be. More importantly, the new Leaf will have a best-in-class range of 107 miles (172 km) and the NissanConnect infotainment system as standard.

The Leaf has been around since 2010, when it was unveiled with a 24-kWh battery. Now, for the first time, it will be possible to get a Leaf with a 30-kWh battery as standard, in the SV and SL models of the car.

Interestingly, the new, more powerful battery has no more cells than the previous one – both have 192. Nissan says that the power increase is delivered by way of improving the cell structure and electrode material. The new battery is estimated to charge fully in around six hours using the 6.6-kW onboard charger.

Paired with an 80-kW AC synchronous motor, the battery in the SV and SL models will help kick out 107 hp (80 kW), 187 lb-ft (254 Nm) of torque and that 107-mi (172-km) range, which Nissan says is a 27 percent improvement over the previous 24-kWh battery. The Leaf S retains the 24-kWh battery and subsequently has a lower range of 84 mi (135 km).

The 2016 Leaf takes around six hours to charge fully with the 6.6-kW onboard charger
The 2016 Leaf takes around six hours to charge fully with the 6.6-kW onboard charger

The Leaf S will get an updated version of the NissanConnect infotainment system as standard, as will the higher-end models, but it will make do with a 5-in color display and support for the user's mobile apps. The SV and SL models will boast a 7-in multi-touch color display and voice control, as well as benefiting from navigation functionality as standard in addition to the support for mobile apps.

The functionality offered by the NissanConnect system includes music and audio streaming, hands-free calling and hands-free text messaging, all by way of Bluetooth. Nissan says the system's interface and customization options have been improved and that car charging info is displayed more often.

SV and SL drivers will also benefit from the NissanConnect EV system. This allows users to connect remotely to their vehicle, so as to view its battery charge, control charging, and turn on the heating and air conditioning in advance of getting in.

The 2016 Leaf NissanConnect interface and customization settings have reportedly been improved
The 2016 Leaf NissanConnect interface and customization settings have reportedly been improved

Finally, those all important new "premium-look exterior colors" in which the 2016 Leaf will be available are Forged Bronze, Coulis Red and Deep Blue Pearl.

The 2016 Nissan Leaf has a starting price of US$26,700 for the SV model, $29,290 for the SL model and $21,510 for the S model. All those prices are after the US federal tax credit for electric vehicles has been applied.

Source: Nissan

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10 comments
10 comments
phissith
If we really want to go green and stop using conventional fossil fuel then the government will need to step up and build infrastructure like what Tesla has done all over US instead of subsidizing or given tax credit this money would be better spend making these stations. I am sure the electric car will see a giant leap and bound. The price is not the number one concern for most people but the range anxiety.
Freyr Gunnar
> The price is not the number one concern for most people but the range anxiety.
In that case, either move to the city so you don't need a car, or get a hybrid with a range extender.
We've been waiting for EV cars for over a century, and they're still not ready.
http://cassandralegacy.blogspot.fr/2014/07/the-age-of-diminishing-technological.html
Tom Lee Mullins
I guess for 2016, Nissan has decided to turn over a new Leaf. I think the improved range and quicker charging time will make it more appealing.
Milton
Range anxiety is a taught behavior. How often do you actually exceed a 100 mile single-leg trip? Couldn't you just rent a car for those few trips/year?
EV's save tens of thousands over conventional ICE (internal combustion engine) in their lifetime.
Seriously, do the math. You'd be blown away at how much a Honda Civic or a Toyota Camry ends up costing you after 200,000 miles.
Brendan Dunphy
Shared EV's are well established in places mlike Nice, France where they have been functioning for 3 years and are ideal for citizens like me who mainly walk, cycle or use public transport. They have been influential in raising awareness of EVs and showing that there are alternatives to ICE and ownership. Its only a question of time for thee realisations to spread elsewhere.
Nicolas Zart
Actually Brendan, the shared EV service in Nice, France has been around for much longer, I believe 5 years ago.
All in all, this is the next logical step. 100 barrier has been achieved. A few years ago, we were at 60, next year 120, and so on, so forth. That's what I more excited about. I don't recall cellphone looking like they are now when it was introduced. I'm happy with the progression, albeit as slow as it seems at times.
And yes, duh, rent a car for longer trips you make a few times a year. Sheesh, save some money, would you? Save on gasoline, insurance, parking garage if you need one, maintenance, etc, for a car you take once in a while? Makes zero sense to me.
IvanWashington
not everybody is ready and able at the drop of a hat to move to the city.
phissith
Why should anyone have to move to the city? The idea is to implement new tech into our lives with out actually having to compromise. That is the only way price will come down and people will adopt it en-massed. That was why I bring up Tesla, they have the long term vision and have been the forefront in making ICE replacement a reality.
phissith
Not everyone want to rent a car when they want to go on a longer trip...at least here in the US. Most just want a car, one car to replace the one we are used to with out major compromise. My answer is at global scale on narrow vision where you asked people to stop driving and just move into cities.