New Nissan Leaf: New Look and New Extended Range

The Nissan Leaf is still the World's best-selling pure electric vehicle and it has just received a brand new look and technology update for 2018

The British built Nissan Leaf has already been awarded the WhatCar? award for Best Electric vehicle. It now can be driven with only one pedal, has semi autonomous features and the longest range yet...

Our Account Manager Jake, took a look around the New Nissan Leaf Tekna ...

The new look exterior for the Nissan Leaf

The exterior of the Leaf has had a major update, now featuring simple lines, a floating roof and more tapered nose. To the front a new blue V motion grille design can be found and refreshed LED headlights. Aesthetics are not the only reason for the redesign, a lower diffuser, new shape spoiler, wind diffusing wing mirrors along with a lower ride height and flat underbody all work together to improve aerodynamics and so the Leaf's range.

There are nine colour options; Pearl Black, Gun Metallic, Spring Cloud, Blade Silver, Arctic White, Storm White, Flame Red Magnetic Red or Chestnut Bronze. Also available is a two-tone black and white colour option.

View our Nissan Leaf Leasing Prices

Nissan Leaf Battery and Range

The Nissan Leaf now features a new large capacity 40kW battery producing 150PS. A bigger battery means more miles, extending the average range to 168 miles.

You can charge your Leaf at home using a domestic plug. To achieve a full charge this way will take around 16 hours. Nissan's new range of 7kW home chargers will reduce this time for a full charge to 7.5 hours. The fastest way to charge your Leaf is at a 50kW public fast charger which will give you 80% charge in 40-60 minutes.

Public charger locations can be found on Zap Map.

The Leaf comes with two driving modes to choose from which can be used individually or together to make sure you get the maximum range out of your Leaf when you need it. These are;

1. B MODE - in this mode the maximum amount of energy is recovered when braking, so regenerative braking is more aggressive, but this does not compromise driving power in any way.
2. ECO MODE - this driving mode still uses regenerative braking, but not to the degree B MODE does. Instead, slightly increased regenerative braking is combined with a reduction in engine output for greater range.

Interior features and technology

The interior of your Leaf comes only in black. This is fabric, part-leather or full leather depending on the trim level you select. There is enough space to comfortably seat 5 adults and a large boot capacity of 435 litres. The rear seats are on a 60:40 split so can be lowered to increase overall boot space, or in a combination to suit your needs.

Driver information is communicated via an advanced digital information display which is customisable and a floating infotainment screen in the centre of the dashboard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now available to keep you connected while you are on the road and Bluetooth Audio Streaming ensures you can listen to exactly what you want to on your journey.

An Intelligent Around View Monitor can be found on the higher Leaf trim level which uses four cameras to provide a 360 degree view of the vehicle, including close ups of the front, rear and kerbside to aid in parking. For those who would like to take the stress out of parking completely, the new Leaf has optional Pro-Pilot Park. All you need to do is select a space then press and hold the parking button. The Leaf will take over all controls, so there is no need to steer or control the accelerator.

The most advanced semi-autonomous driving feature seen in the Leaf to date is found in the form of Pro-Pilot. This system monitors the distance between your Leaf and the car in front. It is capable of speeding up and slowing down to maintain this distance, as well as coming to a complete stop in traffic jam situations. It is not only the speed Pro-Pilot will control, it will also steer for you keeping you safely in your lane at all times.

Standard features and trim levels available with the new Nissan Leaf

The new Nissan Leaf has already gained a 5* NCAP safety rating and has a host of driver aids and safety features which come as standard on any Leaf which include;

• Intelligent Trace Control will follow the curve when you are travelling around a bend and can apply the brakes to each wheel individually to make sure your turn is as smooth as possible.
• Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Recognition will let you know if there is a need to slow down and will apply the brakes automatically for you if needed to avoid a collision.
• Intelligent Lane Intervention, this system will notice if you are straying out of your lane and will gently apply the brakes and gently guide you back to safety.
• Cross Traffic Alert, this feature will look out for any cars, people or other objects that may cross your path of travel when reversing out of a space and your own line of sight is limited.
• Blind Spot Warning makes sure you know about any objects not within your view.
• Cruise Control and Speed Limiter.
• i-Key and Push Button Engine Start.

Also included with every Leaf is the Nissan e-pedal. This is brand-new technology which means you can drive using just one pedal. To accelerate press down on the pedal as normal, but to brake simply release the accelerator. Releasing the accelerator will start automatic brake regeneration helping you extend the range of your Leaf. For those who prefer control over two pedals when driving, this is still possible as a brake pedal is present and the e-pedal system can be deactivated.

The familiar Nissan trim levels of Visia, Acenta, N-Connecta and Tekna apply to the Leaf, details of what will be included at each level can be seen in the grid below;

Benefits of going electric with the Nissan Leaf

The savings can really begin to add up with the Leaf. To begin with you will be eligible to receive the government plug-in car grant, reducing the initial cost of purchase. From here fuel costs will be decreased as electricity is far cheaper than petrol or diesel.

Read more: Government Plug-In Grant Explained

Additionally, with no combustion engine you will never need to pay for an oil change or replace spark plugs again. Driving an electric vehicle also means you will be exempt from paying the London Congestion Charge, T-Charge and upcoming Ultra Low Emissions Zone Charge.

Prices for the new Nissan Leaf start at £21,900.

If you would like to discuss Nissan leaf car leasing options with an Account Manager - give us a call on 01273 433480 or request a callback today.