Latest news with #AlfonsoAlbaisa
Engadget
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Engadget
Nissan unveils the third-generation Leaf EV
Nissan has unveiled its third-generation Leaf EV with a completely new design. The 2026 model sheds the last vestiges of its original compact car body and leans fully into crossover SUV territory. The new look offers some design features that are commonly seen in the all-electric vehicle marketplace, allowing it to compete against other models in its class. These include available dual 14.3-inch displays, flush door handles for better aerodynamics, and liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries. The new Leaf is also the latest EV to adopt the NACS charging port after Tesla made it open-source in 2022. Since then, just about every major automaker from Ford to Mercedes has adopted the standard, with these brands getting access to Tesla's Supercharger network on a rolling basis. For added convenience, a J1772 port, the most common standard for Level 2 chargers, is included on the driver's-side fender. The Leaf's video announcement highlights bi-directional V2X technology that allows drivers to power their homes, send power to the grid, or provide power when camping, though details are sparse. In the same video, Nissan's head of global design, Alfonso Albaisa, explains the lengths the company went to in making the car as aerodynamic as possible in order to achieve the car's stated 300-mile range. The rear door handles, for instance, are built into the C-pillar, which could make for an awkward angle when trying to open the door with your hands full. The body of the Leaf has a chunky, SUV-like stance, with a wide front reminiscent of the Volkswagen ID.4. In the end, all these design choices helped the new Leaf reduce its drag coefficient by 10 percent from the previous generation. Nissan is also bringing the new Leaf's battery thermal management to par with other major EV brands , which will improve charging performance in cold weather . The car will capture wasted heat from the drive motor and the on-board charger, and use it to help warm the battery to its ideal temperature for charging. In frigid conditions it can also use the car's heat pump, and a dedicated battery heater to further maintain battery temperatures. Design easter eggs throughout the car pay homage to the brand's name by incorporating '2-3' iconography in the form of stripes, which are meant to represent the kanji writing of two and three in Japanese, pronounced 'ni' and 'san.' The new Leaf is built on a 75-kWh, liquid-cooled battery pack and packs a 214-horsepower electric motor. It will be offered in a wide variety of color options along with a slew of optional features like 19-inch wheels, dimming panoramic roof and 64-color ambient lighting. Built-in Google integrating Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Play Store into the Leaf is also an available option. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard on the Leaf S and S+. Nissan says a cheaper 52-kWh version with a 174-horsepower motor will become available at a later date. This major redesign comes amid a turbulent last year for Nissan, culminating in its CEO stepping down after a failed merger with Honda . The automaker had previously gone through a downsizing last year as part of its mission to cut billions of dollars in costs. The 2026 Nissan Leaf will hit showrooms this fall, though pricing has yet to be announced. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so.
NZ Autocar
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
New pictures of 2025 Nissan Leaf before imminent debut
The new third-generation Nissan Leaf is about to have its global reveal, ahead of a formal launch later in the year. It's around 4.5m long and will have a maximum range of almost 600km. Nissan says it will build the new crossover in Sunderland alongside the electric Juke. Not much more is known at this point. However, Nissan has released a video outlining its major attributes. Despite the new Leaf's markedly different shape and positioning from its predecessor, its development was heavily influenced by experience from the earlier generation cars. Read our review of an earlier Leaf. Nissan's global product strategy boss, Richard Candler, stated: 'Leaf is an icon for us. It's one of our core 'heartbeat' models. 'We've sold around 700,000 Leafs since 2010, with over 28 billion kilometres covered by our customers, so we have really substantial, real-world insight about the customer…' One obvious improvement is in claimed aerodynamic efficiency, with the new coupe-styled Leaf touting a drag coefficient of 0.25. That's down from the Mk2's Cd of 0.28. That low figure will be instrumental in the Leaf achieving a claimed maximum range of almost 600km. The size of the battery pack is unknown. An interesting option is an electrochromic dimming panoramic roof with heat shielding. Nissan says no physical blind is needed beneath, meaning no issue with rear seat headroom. The new Leaf crossover utilises the Alliance's CMF-EV platform, which is currently used by Ariya EV and also upcoming electric Juke. Nissan's global design boss, Alfonso Albaisa, said the new Leaf is 'about democratising technology'. He added: 'It's very modern, simple and nice. We wanted something tailored, handsome, well-proportioned, with a super-tech interior that feels open and cool.' While no more detail was forthcoming, Leaf will get Nissan's latest in-car systems, enabled by its updated Car and Connected Service (CCS) platform. This features a Google-based infotainment system and advanced driver assistance systems. European product boss, François Bailly, said that Leaf has 'all the things that make your life easier. 'We are confident we have something that is unique, and we're really happy with this car.'
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New Nissan Leaf revealed as crossover with over 372 miles of range
New Leaf borrows design cues from the larger Ariya; has been developed with focus on aerodynamics The third-generation Nissan Leaf has been shown in production form for the first time ahead of a full launch later this year, confirming its transformation into a crossover. The Leaf was launched in 2010 as one of the first mass-market electric cars and in its first two generations took a conventional hatchback form, but it has now undergone a major shift to cash in on the trend for higher-riding cars. It sits on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's CMF-EV platform, which is currently used by the larger Nissan Ariya, and will be closely twinned with the forthcoming Nissan Juke EV. European versions of the Leaf and the Europe-only Juke EV will be produced at Nissan's Sunderland factory, which is currently undergoing a major expansion. The new Leaf is marginally shorter than the previous model but has a larger presence, due to its higher stance. It borrows styling cues from the Ariya and has been developed with a focus on aerodynamics – it has a 0.25 drag coefficient – to boost efficiency and range. While Nissan has yet to give any technical details, European product boss François Bailly said the Leaf would have a range of more than 372 miles, hinting the focus is on 'real-world range.' He added: 'How long you can drive on a highway is key for us, which is why you see the beautiful shape with the aerodynamics. For us, it's about practicality: how long will it take to drive 800km [497 miles], including the time to charge?' Nissan's global design boss, Alfonso Albaisa, said the new Leaf is 'about democratising technology. It's very modern, simple and nice. We wanted something tailored, handsome, well-proportioned, with a super-tech interior that feels open and cool.' Bailly added that the Leaf will get Nissan's latest in-car systems, enabled by its updated Car and Connected Service (CCS) platform, which features a Google-based infotainment system and advanced driver assistance systems. He said: 'It's all the things that make your life easier. 'We are confident we have something that is unique, and we're really happy with this car.' ]]>
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nissan details Europe launch plans for new Micra, Leaf, Juke EVs
Nissan will launch three key full-electric models in Europe in the next two years, starting with the next-generation Micra, which will be sold only as an EV, later this year. It will be followed by a new version of the compact Leaf, which moves to a crossover body style from a hatchback. A new electric Juke SUV, on the same platform as the Leaf although smaller, will follow at some point between now and March 31, 2027, the company told journalists at an event in Atsugi, Japan. Nissan showed the production versions of the Micra and Leaf after a long period of teasing the cars with concepts and detail shots of sections of the car. It also showed the silhouette of the Juke. Nissan has previously committed to increasing its electric share to 40 percent of its total sales in Europe by March 2027. In recent months, however, the company has been critical of the speed that manufacturers are being forced by legislation to shift to electric vehicles in the U.K. — its largest European market — and the EU. Sign up for the Automotive News Europe By The Numbers monthly newsletter delivering data and commentary on European sales. A recent analysis by JATO Dynamics found that through February this year, Nissan had a 9 percent share of EVs in 25 EU countries plus the U.K., Norway and Switzerland. The Micra is based on the new Renault 5 and will be built by Renault Group's EV unit, Ampere, at its plant in Douai, France. The new model keeps the Micra name Nissan has traditionally attached to its small cars and will 'remain true to the DNA of its predecessors,' Nissan said in a statement. Nissan halted sales of the combustion-powered Micra in 2023. The new car was styled at Nissan Design Europe in London using Ampere's AmpR Small platform. Like the Renault 5, it will be available with two battery options: 40- or 52-kilowatt-hours, providing a maximum range of more than 400 km (248 miles), Nissan said. The Leaf will be built in Nissan's Sunderland plant in northern England on the same CMF-EV platform as the Ariya midsize EV. Nissan has been reliant on sales of the Ariya to reduce the brand's overall emissions in Europe since production of the second-generation Leaf ended in 2024. Nissan gave no new technical information for the Leaf, although previously the company said it will use a new battery from supplier AESC that is said to be 30 percent more energy dense than the 62-kWh pack in the previous-generation Leaf. The Renault Scenic compact SUV on the same platform is quoted as traveling up to 610 km (379 miles) with its most powered battery pack, which is 87 kWh. The Leaf is now a coupe-styled crossover in line with both customer tastes and the need to improve aerodynamics, Nissan said. A low nose and sloping roofline help airflow hug the body, which ends in a high tail. The car's interior has been created as a 'sanctuary,' Nissan design boss Alfonso Albaisa told Automotive News Europe sister publications Automotive News. The dashboard is anchored by a glass slab that integrates the instrument cluster and central display. The Nissan Juke electric SUV, meanwhile, will be built on the same CMF-EV platform as the Leaf, according to a report from Autocar. The current ICE Juke received a face-lift last year. Nissan confirmed in 2023 that the small EV would be manufactured in Sunderland alongside the Leaf and the two cars are likely to share a production line. The combustion-engine Juke will continue to be manufactured at the factory. An electric Qashqai compact SUV — also planned for production at Sunderland and announced at the same as the Leaf — has been delayed, according to Autocar, quoting global chief planning head Francois Bailly. Nissan used the Japanese event to announce a new electric crossover for the U.S. described as being slightly larger than the Qashqai. The model pays homage to the original U.S.-model Pathfinder off-roader, replicating its three-slot hood design with a light signature. No date was given, and Nissan did not say if it was related to the electric Qashqai planned for Europe. Nissan has announced plans to introduce its third-generation e-Power hybrid system to the Qashqai built at Sunderland. Not date was given for its introduction. The drivetrain is also available in the larger X-Trail SUV. Nissan has also announced a plug-in hybrid for the X-Trail in U.S., where it is known as the Rogue, but it has said that it will not launch PHEVs in Europe.
