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Nissan Unveils "LEAF" The World's First Electric Car Designed for Affordability and Real-World Requirements
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Specifications
Event ushers in a new era for Nissan and a new era for mobility
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled Nissan LEAF, the worlds
first affordable, zero-emission car. Designed specifically for
a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, Nissan LEAF is a medium-size
hatchback that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of more
than 160km (100 miles) to satisfy real-world consumer requirements.
NISSAN LEAF
Slated for launch in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and
Europe, Nissan LEAF ushers in a new era of mobility the
zero-emission era. The car is the embodiment of Nissans
radical, transformative vision for the future and the culmination of
decades of investment and research.
Nissan LEAF is a tremendous accomplishment one in which all
Nissan employees can take great pride, said Nissan President and
CEO Carlos Ghosn. We have been working tirelessly to make
this day a reality the unveiling of a real-world car that
has zero not simply reduced emissions. Its the first step
in what is sure to be an exciting journey for people all over the
world, for Nissan and for the industry.
Key characteristics of the LEAF include:
- Zero-emission power train and platform
- Affordable pricing
- Distinctive design
- Real-world range autonomy 160km (100 miles)
- Connected Mobility: Advanced intelligent transportation (IT)
system
The LEAF name is a significant statement about the car itself.
Just as leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies
mobility by taking emissions out of the driving experience.
Pricing details will be announced closer to start of sales in late
2010; however, the company expects the car to be competitively
priced in the range of a well-equipped C-segment vehicle.
Additionally, Nissan LEAF is expected to qualify for an array of
significant local, regional and national tax breaks and incentives
in markets around the world. As an added benefit, because the
vehicle has less mechanical complexity than a traditional
gasoline-powered car, Nissan LEAF is designed to be friendly to the
wallet as well as to the environment.
ZERO-EMISSION MOBILITY
Nissan LEAF is powered by laminated compact lithium-ion batteries,
which generate power output of over 90kW, while its electric motor
delivers 80kW/280Nm. This ensures a highly responsive,
fun-to-drive experience that is in keeping with what consumers have
come to expect from traditional, gasoline-powered automobiles.
Unlike internal-combustion engine (ICE) equipped vehicles, Nissan
LEAFs power train has no tail pipe, and thus no emission of CO2 or
other greenhouse gases. A combination of Nissan LEAFs
regenerative braking system and innovative lithium-ion battery packs
enables the car to deliver a driving range of more than 160km (100
miles) on one full charge*. (*US LA4 mode)
Extensive consumer research demonstrates that this range satisfies
the daily driving requirements of more than 70% of the worlds
consumers who drive cars.
And, Nissans approach makes charging easy and convenient.
Nissan LEAF can be charged up to 80% of its full capacity in just
under 30 minutes with a quick charger. Charging at home
through a 200V outlet is estimated to take approximately eight hours
ample time to enable an overnight refresh for consumer and car
alike.
REAL-WORLD CAR
The engineers and designers behind Nissan LEAF worked to create a
competitively priced real-world car that would enable Nissan to lead
mobility into the zero-emission era. To ensure comfort,
spaciousness and cargo capacity, Nissan LEAF employs a completely
new chassis and body layout.
Our car had to be the worlds first, medium-size, practical EV that
motorists could afford and would want to use every day. And thats
what weve created. The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF
but also the owner as a participant in the new era of zero-emission
mobility, said Masato INOUE, Product Chief Designer.
DISTINCTIVE DESIGN
Even the smallest details can yield tremendous effect.
Nissan LEAFs frontal styling is characterized by a sharp, upright
V-shaped design featuring long, up-slanting light-emitting diode
(LED) headlights that employ a blue internal reflective design that
announces, This car is special. But the headlights do more
than make a statement. They are also designed to cleverly
split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, thus reducing
wind noise and drag. And, the headlights provide yet one more
benefit in that they consume about 50 percent of the electricity of
conventional lamps, which helps Nissan LEAF to achieve its
world-class range autonomy.
Through bright trim colors inside, Nissan LEAF creates a pleasing
and stylish cabin environment. An environmentally friendly
blue earth color theme originates from the Aqua Globe body color
of Nissan LEAFs introductory model. This theme is carried
into the interior through blue dashboard highlights and instrument
illumination.
CONNECTED MOBILITY IT SYSTEM
Nissan LEAF employs an exclusive advanced IT system. Connected
to a global data center, the system can provide support,
information, and entertainment for drivers 24 hours a day.
The dash-mounted monitor displays Nissan LEAFs remaining power or
reachable area in addition to showing a selection of nearby
charging stations.
Another state-of-the-art feature is the ability to use mobile phones
to turn on air-conditioning and set charging functions even when
Nissan LEAF is powered down. An on-board remote-controlled
timer can also be pre-programmed to recharge batteries.
The IT system is a critical advantage, says Tooru ABE, Chief
Product Specialist. We wanted this vehicle to be a partner for the
driver and an enhancement for the passengers. We also
wanted this vehicle to help create a zero-emission community, and
these IT features will help make that possible.
HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ZERO-EMISSION
MOBILITY AND ECO-FRIENDLY INNOVATION
Nissan LEAF is a critical first step in establishing the era of
zero-emission mobility; however, Nissan recognizes that
internal-combustion engine (ICE) technologies will play a vital role
in global transportation for decades to come. Because of this,
Nissan is implementing its zero-emission vision through a holistic
approach, which provides consumers a comprehensive range of
eco-friendly technologies from which to choose.
For some consumers, Nissan LEAF will be the perfect match, and the
only car they will ever need. For others, Nissan LEAF will be
a logical addition to the family fleet the optimal choice
for the daily commute, for example.
While zero-emission is the ultimate goal, the company is committed
to ongoing innovation in eco-friendly technologies that increase
efficiency and reduce emissions. As a result, Nissan offers a
comprehensive suite of automotive technologies, including CVT, Idle
Stop, HEV, Clean Diesel, and ongoing research and investment in FCV
technology.
WORLDWIDE PARTNERS
Zero-emission mobility programs under the banner of the
Renault-Nissan Alliance include partnerships with countries such as
the UK and Portugal, local governments in the Japan and the USA, and
other sectors, for a total of nearly 30 partnerships worldwide.
In these partnerships major efforts focus on three areas:
- Development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure
through public and private investment,
- Incentives and subsidies from local, regional, and national
governments, and
- Public education on the individual and societal benefits of
zero-emissions mobility.
ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE PRODUCTION
Nissan LEAF is the first in the companys forthcoming line of EVs
and is a major milestone in the realization of the Renault-Nissan
Alliances vision for zero-emission mobility. The first of
Nissans EVs will be manufactured at Oppama, Japan, with additional
capacity planned for Smyrna, Tennessee, USA. Meanwhile,
lithium-ion batteries are being produced in Zama, Japan, with
additional capacity planned for the USA, the UK and Portugal, and
other sites for investment are under study around the world.
ABOUT NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is a global automotive company with vehicle
sales of 3.411 million in 2008. Nissan is present in all major
auto markets worldwide, selling a comprehensive range of cars,
pickup trucks, SUVs, and light commerical vehicles.
NISSAN BLUE CITIZENSHIP
Nissan is committed to making a better world through its commitment
to corporate social responsibility. This includes programs
that focus on technological innovations that focus on people and
care for the planet. Our vision for zero-emission mobility is
an outgrowth of our CSR approach, which we call Blue Citizenship.
Together, we are working with our Alliance partner, Renault, to make
a better world through zero-emission mobility.
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