Motor Authority - blog Category: Versa

There's the Tesla Roadster and several three-wheeled electric vehicles for sale, but so far getting a purely electric-powered car to production with a standard car's features at a price the general public can afford has eluded the industry. Until the Nissan LEAF, that is.

Or at least that's the story Nissan is pitching. Due for launch in the U.S., Japan and Europe by late 2010, the LEAF guarantees a range of over 100mi (160km) on a charge in a practical mid-size hatchback bodystyle. Nissan says that 100mi range is enough to satisfy the daily needs of 70% of the drivers in the world.

"Our car had to be the world's first, medium-size,... There's the Tesla Roadster and several three-wheeled electric vehicles for sale, but so far getting a purely electric-powered car to production with a standard car's features at a price the general public can afford has eluded the industry. Until the Nissan LEAF, that is. Or at least that's the story Nissan is pitching. Due for launch in the U.S., Japan and Europe by late 2010, the LEAF guarantees a range of over 100mi (160km) on a charge in a practical mid-size hatchback bodystyle. Nissan says that 100mi range is enough to satisfy the daily needs of 70% of the drivers in the world. "Our car had to be the world's first, medium-size, practical EV that motorists could afford and would want to use every day. And that's what we've 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. Powered by a lithium-ion battery back, the LEAF should also provide reasonable performance, on par with other cars in the economy hatchback class. The electric battery pack can generate output of up to 120hp (90kW), while the electric motor delivers 107hp (80kW) of output and 206lb-ft (280Nm) of torque, figures typical of many smaller and medium-sized cars. And with the ability to regain up to 80% of its full charge in just 30 minutes, it can get back on the road again in a hurry. A full charge takes about 8 hours, a typical overnight duration. But the real story is how Nissan optimized almost every aspect of the LEAF's design to maximize efficiency. The LED headlights themselves tax the electrical system minimally, but the headlight covers also split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, cutting wind noise and drag. Inside, the materials are all styled in a 'blue earth' color scheme, reflecting the car's efficient nature and complementing the introductory model's exterior color. Finally, the LEAF employs an advanced IT system that connects it to a global data center to provide support, information and entertainment around the clock. The dash-mounted monitor uses this information to show a 'reachable area' display, letting the driver know exactly how far they can go on the remaining charge. It also shows the nearest charging stations to make juicing back up easier. Production of the LEAF will begin at Nissan's Oppama, Japan plant with the Smyrna, Tennessee plant to handle additional capacity down the road. The lithium-ion batteries that power the car are produced in Zama, Japan, though once demand outstrips that supply, sources in the U.S., Portugal and the UK are also ready to go. When sales begin late next year, Nissan sees the LEAF taking its place as both a primary car for some drivers and for others, a secondary car that's used primarily for commuting or other daily duties, while the family vehicle remains in service for times when more space is needed. Pricing details will be announced closer to start of sales, however, Nissan is expecting the car to be competitively priced in the range of a well-equipped C-segment vehicle. Additionally, the 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, it will also cost significantly less to service and run.Nissan LEAF electric vehicleNissan LEAF Electric Vehicle Read More

Nissan is getting ready to release its first electric vehicle for the U.S. and Japanese markets in 2010, and to help butter up potential customers the automaker has provided us with some details on its new electric vehicle platform. Additionally, Nissan has developed a new for the upcoming electric vehicle that will show off the new model in all its glory on August 2nd when it goes live.

The creation of a new electric vehicle platform will allow Nissan to develop future models on the same basic design, and help create electric vehicles to match certain market segments. The new dedicated electric vehicle platform consists of an electric... Nissan is getting ready to release its first electric vehicle for the U.S. and Japanese markets in 2010, and to help butter up potential customers the automaker has provided us with some details on its new electric vehicle platform. Additionally, Nissan has developed a new for the upcoming electric vehicle that will show off the new model in all its glory on August 2nd when it goes live. The creation of a new electric vehicle platform will allow Nissan to develop future models on the same basic design, and help create electric vehicles to match certain market segments. The new dedicated electric vehicle platform consists of an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery and, from the preview seen on the microsite, it appears as though Nissan's designers have taken full advantage of the different styling possibilities afforded by electric vehicle platforms and developed a uniquely 'electric-looking' vehicle for its first offering. The motor powering the platform is a 109hp (80kW) unit, but with torque figures of 206lb-ft (280Nm) the car should be no slouch off the line. The 24kWh battery powering the motor is placed under the vehicle's floor, and a new regenerative braking system helps to keep it charged when braking and slowing down. Along with showing off its new EV platform, Nissan also gave us a sneak peek at its new EV-IT support system, which it claims will give EV drivers round-the-clock support by connecting to their vehicle through an on-board transmission unit. The EV-IT system will have a 'maximum range' display so drivers can see exactly how far the juice in the battery will take them, as well as a navigation system that can point drivers to the nearest charging stations within the current driving range. There will also be a tool to help control electric functions in the car such as air-conditioning or battery charging. Additionally, this system will also be able to act as a remote control and monitoring device for drivers when they are away from the vehicle - according to Nissan, drivers can check how charged their EV is via a website or mobile phone, and users will be able to control a number of functions from their computers such as air-conditioning timers. Meanwhile, the sneak peek of the production EV will be fully unveiled at Nissan's new global headquarters opening in Yokohama on August 2nd. Currently, only the front of the car can be seen on the new microsite (http://www2.nissan-zeroemission.com/EN/), and so far it appears the snub-nosed production model will feature a central charging socket on the bonnet. Read More

Promises about electric vehicles are a dime a dozen, and so far no one - not even Tesla - has managed to deliver a real daily-driving production car in volume. Nissan has so far promised to deliver its first electric vehicle by 2010, although initially it will be available only to commercial fleet customers, and now the company has revealed that mass production of the zero-emission vehicles could start by 2012.

Nissan will unveil its first electric vehicle on August 2nd, CEO Carlos Ghosn confirmed today at the company’s shareholder meeting. The car will then go on sale in limited numbers in both the U.S. and Japan in April of next... Promises about electric vehicles are a dime a dozen, and so far no one - not even Tesla - has managed to deliver a real daily-driving production car in volume. Nissan has so far promised to deliver its first electric vehicle by 2010, although initially it will be available only to commercial fleet customers, and now the company has revealed that mass production of the zero-emission vehicles could start by 2012. Nissan will unveil its first electric vehicle on August 2nd, CEO Carlos Ghosn confirmed today at the company’s shareholder meeting. The car will then go on sale in limited numbers in both the U.S. and Japan in April of next year before entering mass production for global sale by 2012, Ghosn also revealed. Production sites for the vehicle will include an unnamed plant in Japan as well as Nissan’s Smyrna facility in Tennessee where up to 100,000 units could be built annually. Ghosn gave few details, but told the Associated Press that Nissan's zero-emission cars will come with a very reasonable price. "If it's not affordable, it's not going to work," he explained. Nissan hasn't released any official details on the car, but piecing together claims made over the last several years, we expect it to feature a leased 35kWh battery pack to help keep initial prices down and make replacement easier. This battery will power a small electric motor driving the front wheels through a single gear, delivering approximately 367mpg equivalent, or mpg-e, as measured by the U.S. government's CAFE regulations. For more details about the upcoming electric vehicle, including powertrains and pricing, check out our previous story by clicking here.Nissan next-generation electric and hybrid prototypes Read More

Nissan may be releasing a new all-electric vehicle next year, but the styling of the car has yet to be finalized, which makes speculation about its appearance rather difficult. To help us out, Nissan's chief designer Shiro Nakamura has come out and provided some clues about the new EV's styling.

The new Nissan EV will shock viewers with its appearance, Nakamura explained to Automotive News, adding that this is a tactic designed on purpose to make sure the public knows that this is an all-electric car and not just a hybrid. In this vein, the car will be avoiding the wedge-shape adopted by the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight like the plague,... Nissan may be releasing a new all-electric vehicle next year, but the styling of the car has yet to be finalized, which makes speculation about its appearance rather difficult. To help us out, Nissan's chief designer Shiro Nakamura has come out and provided some clues about the new EV's styling. The new Nissan EV will shock viewers with its appearance, Nakamura explained to Automotive News, adding that this is a tactic designed on purpose to make sure the public knows that this is an all-electric car and not just a hybrid. In this vein, the car will be avoiding the wedge-shape adopted by the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight like the plague, and instead will be drawing on specific EV features distinguish it. Perhaps the most striking of these features will be the car's lack of a grille - after all, the electric drivetrain doesn't really need one. Since there is no bulky engine up front, the car will also have a very low hood to help improve aerodynamics and give it a bold appearance. Even if pedestrians ignore all those 'subtle' clues to car's electric status, a recharging plug will be visible on its nose, leaving no doubt about the power source. Nakamura also revealed that the design has a drag coefficient of 0.30. The third-generation Prius has 0.25 and the Insight 0.28, but Nissan hopes to make further improvements by tweaking the design and adding underbody fittings to smooth air flow. While the car won't be as constrained in its design as conventional vehicles, its designers were not exactly given free reign considering that it will sit on an existing Nissan platform. Because of this, the designers couldn't fully exploit the design possibilities presented by the electric car, but this has also helped them keep costs of development down. This fact will change in the future as Nissan develops specific platforms for electric vehicles and lets its designers work from scratch. In the mean time, Nissan is hoping that its new design will be bold enough to stand out in the upcoming crowd of electric vehicles. For more details about the upcoming car, including powertrains and pricing, click here. The carmaker has also given us a preview of the car in the form of the Nuvu concept, which was revealed last year at the Paris Motor Show.Nissan next-generation electric and hybrid prototypes2008 Nissan Nuvu concept hatchback Read More

Promises about electric vehicles are a dime a dozen, and so far no one - not even Tesla - has managed to deliver a real daily-driving production car in volume. That didn't stop Nissan's product planning director Mark Perry from confirming a 2010 U.S. launch for a five-seat electric car back in February, and this week more details on the upcoming car have emerged, including what appears to be a leaked drawing.

Not even the terrible economy has put a damper on the company's plans - in part because Nissan is pitching the EV as a way to save cash. Between maintenance costs that Perry told the Chattanooga Free Times Press will be $1,350 lower... Promises about electric vehicles are a dime a dozen, and so far no one - not even Tesla - has managed to deliver a real daily-driving production car in volume. That didn't stop Nissan's product planning director Mark Perry from confirming a 2010 U.S. launch for a five-seat electric car back in February, and this week more details on the upcoming car have emerged, including what appears to be a leaked drawing. Not even the terrible economy has put a damper on the company's plans - in part because Nissan is pitching the EV as a way to save cash. Between maintenance costs that Perry told the Chattanooga Free Times Press will be $1,350 lower annually and a $7,500 tax credit that the car will be eligible for, the $28,000-$30,000 EV could be a way to stretch budgets. It will be available to commercial fleets first, going to retail sales after a couple years, around the 2012 mark. To get the cars on the road Nissan is working with its several planned launch locations to help build a charging network. That network is there to help combat what Perry calls "range anxiety", though with the 100mi (160km) range expected of the car, city drivers shouldn't be too worried about not making it home on a charge. Nissan hasn't released any official details on the car, but piecing together claims made over the last several years, we expect the car to feature a leased 35kWh battery pack to help keep initial prices down and make replacement easier. Fragments of the plan were revealed last November when launch markets in Sonoma, CA and Portland, WA revealed their involvement. Chattanooga, TN is also one of the launch locations since it's the company's U.S. HQ. The photo above, sourced from Motor Trend, shows a car that looks sort of like a half-Mixim, half-Versa five-seat hatchback, though early reports say the car will be larger than the Versa, and smaller than the Sentra. The photo also hints at the layout of the car, with a front-mounted motor and a longitudinal, sub-floor battery pack. The motor will drive the front wheels through a single gear, delivering approximately 367mpg equivalent, or mpg-e, as measured by the U.S. government's CAFE regulations. The Mixim electric concept was shown at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, and could preview the general design direction of the EV. Styling cues that at the time looked somewhat out of place in Nissan's line now echo the 370Z and GT-R as well as the [url=http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1024765_nissan-denki-cube-ev-concept-official-details Cube concept EV, though the tiny size of the Mixim is a bit smaller than the expected production EV's footprint. The Denki Cube itself isn't expected to be the basis for the production vehicle, in part since the conventional gasoline-powered Cube has now been introduced to the U.S. market. A technology platform called the EV-02, also based around the Cube platform, is the likely mule for the parts that will underpin the new hybrid hatch, but it is most likely just a convenient and modern way to wrap up the development package. The NuVu concept is another mobile testbed for the EV's underlying technology. For more details on that car, read our original story here.Nissan next-generation electric and hybrid prototypesNissan Denki Cube EV Concept Read More

Before Chrysler was ever involved in alliance talks with Fiat, the Auburn Hills carmaker was already tied with Nissan over several platform swapping and production sharing deals. Both Chrysler and Nissan have now confirmed that two out of the three original product-sharing deals have been put on hold.

The three projects under the original deal were to include the supply of two small Nissan vehicles to Chrysler in 2010. One of the small cars was to be based on the current Nissan Versa, while the other was to be a unique hatch based on Chrysler’s own 2006 Dodge Hornet concept car. Both were expected to be launched next year. In return,... Before Chrysler was ever involved in alliance talks with Fiat, the Auburn Hills carmaker was already tied with Nissan over several platform swapping and production sharing deals. Both Chrysler and Nissan have now confirmed that two out of the three original product-sharing deals have been put on hold. The three projects under the original deal were to include the supply of two small Nissan vehicles to Chrysler in 2010. One of the small cars was to be based on the current Nissan Versa, while the other was to be a unique hatch based on Chrysler’s own 2006 Dodge Hornet concept car. Both were expected to be launched next year. In return, Chrysler was to supply Nissan with a full-sized pickup to replace the Titan, also in 2010. It has now been revealed that the two carmakers have “paused” plans to share the North American-built small car and the full-sized pickup until they can bring down their costs. Earlier this month Nissan announced that it planned to shed up to 20,000 jobs as it copes with a predicted $2.6 billion loss for the year, and this could have very easily caused the latest announcement. Chrysler, meanwhile, is struggling to remain viable as its sales continue to plummet. A third vehicle-sharing project to give Chrysler a version of Nissan's compact Versa sedan remains on schedule, both companies confirmed to Automotive News. Blame has been centered on the unfavorable economic conditions.Dodge Trazo Concept Read More