Nissan Leaf NISMO

From the ones that brought you the king of GT-Rs, the GT-R NISMO, to everyday casual sports such as the Note NISMO, the Juke NISMO, and the Serena NISMO, comes the very first electric NISMO ever made that promises to combine the feel of their motorsports involvement with the everyday zero emission driving of the new Nissan Leaf, sort of.

2019 Nissan Leaf NISMO

2019 Nissan Leaf NISMO interior

The first ever electric NISMO model, the Leaf NISMO, promises to combine NISMO DNA from its racing expertise, not to mention Nissan's upcoming entry to the Formula E, as well as its zero emission driving feel you'd expect from today's Nissan Leaf, giving a new spin to this all-important electric car of the decade. With prices start at 4,032,720 Japanese Yen (around US$40,400 or PhP1,915,000), it's somewhat very costly to own for a slightly hot electric car with sportscar DNA on it but despite the questionable pricing, there's so much to talk about what's what with the Leaf NISMO.

Based on the second-generation Leaf, the NISMO variant features signature NISMO visual appearances as expected on every NISMO model you ran across such as a specially made front bumper, rear bumper, side sills, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. On the interior, you are greeted by its genuine leather, Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, faux carbon fiber panels on the dashboard, red accents, and a specially designed gear lever.

The EM57 electric motor remains untouched, meaning it's still producing 110kw of power and 320Nm of torque, but NISMO has fiddled with the VCM which results to a much responsive acceleration on B range, even with its signature E-Pedal on. The more responsive acceleration the Leaf NISMO delivers does come with a price as the electric range reduces by about 50km, resulting to 350km (JC08 Mode) on a single charge, which sounds like an ouch but for some, they can live with that.

Focusing on dynamics, the Leaf NISMO features a specially-made electric control brake and suspension with shock absorbers and for added grip, they fitted it with Continental ContiSportContact 5 sports tyres to deliver a much accessible driving experience you can really take it on Tsukuba on Sundays.

Although not the NISMO model as we hoped for, the Leaf NISMO wants to be a more enjoyable Leaf that drivers can take it to work on weekdays and then going on Tsukuba on Sundays just to see how much sportscar DNA this electric car delivers and this is a quick fix for those who want an all-work, all-play electric car they can toy with everyday until they are too satisfied to drive it.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Second Generation Nissan Leaf (ZE1)

Since its inception in 2010, the Nissan Leaf served as the wake-up call for the world to give up petrol and diesel vehicles and instead drive zero-emission vehicles that runs solely on electricity. For seven years, more and more people are driving Nissan Leafs (Leaves? Is it correct?) on the road and while many car companies are drawing inspired from the Leaf, mostly Tesla, rest assured that the Leaf has a strong following in the motoring industry and with the advent of the second generation Leaf, the future of motoring has finally arrived thanks to applied science and some added range to keep it going.

2018 Nissan Leaf

Before talking about how much improvement the all-new, second-generation Nissan Leaf gained after seven years of advent, let's observe how much the design has gained and for the new model, it's a complete looker compared to the previous model. For starters, Nissan draws its inspiration from the IDS Concept so the new Leaf will look just like the concept car it was based upon and that is a plus one for Nissan there, making production cars look like concept cars.

2018 Nissan Leaf interior

2018 Nissan Leaf interior

Apart from the stylish exterior, which looks sexy for EV compact standards, the interior is now surprisingly accessible for both driver and passenger in mind. Of course, the climate controls look like it came from the old model, the dashboard now behaves like a normal Nissan. Also, it's got a proper instrumental panel, it's got a steering wheel inspired from the Nissan GT-R, it's got Apple CarPlay compatibility, up to 435 litres of boot space, BOSE Energy Efficient sound system, seating for five, everything. With so many amenities, the new Leaf is surprisingly accommodating indeed for an electric car fit for everyday use.

2018 Nissan Leaf

Now is the time to talk about how much improvement the Leaf has gained after seven years and let's start with the performance. The electric powertrain has now been improved with better efficiency and slightly improved performance so that now, it produces 110kw of power and 320Nm of torque, resulting to a better accelerating electric car without all the drama intended. With the new e-powertrain and the li-ion battery, the driving range has gone up to 400km (JC08 Mode) on a single charge. That's just the start of the story because soon, Nissan will offer a high-power version with added range and power it can be as interesting as cars can get.

Apart from the improved electric drivetrain, the all-new Leaf features three new intelligent driving technologies. First, there is the ProPILOT as seen in today's Serena and X-TRAIL, which is used during single-lane driving on the highway. Then, there's the new ProPILOT Park, which makes the car park all by itself. Simple but scary at the same time. And finally, for a first in a production car, the new Leaf comes with the world's first e-Pedal, which allows drivers to start, accelerate, decelerate and stop in one pedal and you can have it turn it on or off. Why? Driving conventionally may not be the best but this is why we love driving our cars.

There's more to it than driving the new Leaf because in an event of power outage due to natural calamities, aging power grids, and now computer hacking, the Li-ion battery from the Nissan Leaf can be served as a backup generator courtesy of its Vehicle-to-Grid technology. Think about it, when brownout strikes, the car's battery can be used to power up the entire home and when the lights are back, it goes back into charging. How convenient is that? That's science done right and how come Tesla never done with that kind of gig to turn their cars into backup generators for home use?

The all-new Nissan Leaf starts at 3,150,360 Japanese Yen and it qualifies for the government's tax break so buying one shouldn't be a hassle. So, the conclusion; although the new Leaf isn't one of the most enjoyable cars of the market, this is the electric car of many uses. Not only it has more oomph than the previous model but its cutting-edge technology made it proof that the future of mobility really is now thanks to science and apart from driving, the Leaf serves as a backup generator for home in case of a blackout due to calamities, aging grids, and computer hacking. Nothing says being prepared than being extra prepared with this one. It really is "simply amazing."

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

GT5 EV Day Trip with Nissan Leaf

Song played in my Personal BGM: Eyes as Candles by Passion Pit

From the album: Manners

Let's see how far this electric car survive on this condition....

Leaf of Green Gables

When the Nissan Leaf came out at the market since December 2010, this electric car is proven to be a competitor to the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. The Leaf maybe a bit more expensive than the i-MiEV but it has proven to be energy-efficient because while the i-MiEV has a range of 110km in one charge, a fully-charged Leaf can go up to 124km. Last year, the Nissan Leaf became the first EV to award the 2011-2012 Japan Car of the Year, making this a big achievement for Nissan.

You'll be glad if there's another EV driver passing by...

To commemorate this, Gran Turismo 5 added the Nissan Leaf as part of the Car Pack 3 DLC, available now, and geez, can this EV Day Trip get even more interesting if the Nissan Leaf is picking a fight against the Mitsubishi i-MiEV in a greener place? Truth is, the Nissan Leaf is much faster than the i-MiEV on a straight line and it will stay on to the end. Still, this is not a good car to race against the entry-levels but this is a good way to demonstrate the art of mobility on Gran Turismo 5 because this game is not all about racing, it's mobility.

The Stig encounters the Nissan Leaf
in Kyoto...

...but the Stig is interested in other vehicles
rather than the Leaf

I can rarely see a Nissan Leaf crossing by the road when it came out in 2010, but for now, there are a plentiful of Leaves roaming around the road and this electric car is an icon. Don't worry, I saw this one on Top Gear where Jeremy Clarkson and James May are traveling through England using electric cars. Seems that Jeremy Clarkson's freaked out at the Leaf's navigation system. That's more weirder when Jeremy's freaked out at the Nissan GT-R's sat-nav during the "Race Across Japan" challenge.

That accomplishment of being the 2011-2012 Japan Car of the Year winner really made a recognition to the Nissan Leaf and with that added on GT5, I finally witnessed that this car really is the future. It's sorta like BLUE SKIES FOR OUR CHILDREN....

Forza 4 meets "the new car"

Time for the Nissan Leaf to revolutionize
Forza Motorsport 4

The Nissan Leaf is "the new car" like what the Japanese ads say. This is a full-fledged 100% electric vehicle that is becoming a commoner of today. Even when the Chevrolet Volt is not on the same league as the Leaf because the Volt is a PHV (Plug-In Hybrid), they're still the arch rivals of today. Even when the Leaf is cheaper and more efficient than the Volt, most still prefer the Volt because "gasoline when you need it, electric when you want it", until news broke out about the NHTSA battery fire investigation. As a big news for the Leaf, it became the first Japan-made EV to win the 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan, making electric cars no longer a niche market but a commoner to today's road.

Nissan Leaf versus Top Gear's
Reasonably Priced Cars

Having the Leaf featured on Forza Motorsport 4 remains a mystery for now but this is going to be "Clarkson: Heaven & Hell" all over again but this is not what we've expected for. They featured it because they want to make most out of it, even when Forza nerds are trying to revolutionize motorsports by making an All Nissan Leaf Championship by interest. Heh, if Richard Hammond took my advice, this would be the result; Bunch of Nissan Leaf vehicles racing on a circuit!

HANCARS never sold a Nissan Leaf...or did they?

Something cool about the Leaf is this situation; If I went a little Heaven-and-Hell style, like for instance, speeding through the straight part of Circuit De La Sarthe, and when it crashed at the wall on front, the EM61 electric motor still active even when it was crashed! Despite gearbox problems, handling problems, suspension problems, and other problems after the LEAF crashed, the EM61 motor is still running. What's this? This engine is having some kind of "Marauder-like durability"? Oh no. Better shake it off my head.

Zero Emissions is as good as it gets...

Of course, the EM61 electric motor doesn't shout, or bellow, or roar, it's just sort of humming. Humming like a monk... Alvin and the Monks perhaps? Oh sorry! Didn't meant to say it. Guess this Nissan LEAF is isn't the future and like what Jeremy Clarkson said on Top Gear, electric cars are not the future and we're just going deal with something that is even more "ZERO EMISSION" than this...Chicken Wires and Dodgems.

Nope...this LEAF is not a good Dodgem at the game of KEEP THE IT.

Nissan Leaf is 2011-2012 Japan Car of the Year!

2011 Nissan Leaf

BREAKING NEWS! At the public day of the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show held at Tokyo Big Sight, the winner of 2011-2012 Japan Car of the Year has announced and this is none other than...

THE NISSAN LEAF!

What a surprise, we never thought that the car that was launched last year deserved today's award and with this outstanding recognition, we see electric cars no longer a niche market but now as a commoner. Of all the cars such as the Toyota Prius Alpha, Honda Fit Shuttle, Mazda Demio Skyactiv, Daihatsu Mira e:S, Volkswagen Passat B7, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 1-Series F20, Peugeot 508, and Volvo S60/V60, this electric vehicle stands out the crowd.

Wonder how to commemorate the Nissan Leaf's win?

Scoop: http://carview.co.jp/news/0/157748/

NISMO LEAF RC in action!

Japanese motoring journalist, Manabu Kawaguchi, of LOVE CARS, test drives a Nissan Leaf NISMO RC, a racing prototype that shows that even electric cars have the potential to race. In fact, I love the sound of the NISMO LEAF RC accelerating. Whoosh! Ha ha ha!

Nissan LEAF TV commercials from Japan

Heh, I didn't realize that there was TV commercials for the Nissan LEAF, the electric car, from Japan. I checked on the official Japanese Nissan site, but I can't find these official Nissan Leaf commercials from there.

I really don't get it how these ads appeared but it sure is nice to have the Nissan LEAF gets its own TV commercials from Japan. Way to go, NISSAN!

Nissan Leaf (ZE0)

2011 Nissan LEAF

The Leaf, Nissan's first-of-its-kind electric hybrid vehicle is the key to attain Nissan's brighter future for creating eco cars that serve as the mainframe to achieve a vision for the better tomorrow. With the rise of electric cars such as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan steps up to the electric car competition with the Nissan Leaf, to see which electric car reign supreme.

As an environmentally conscious car enthusiast. I like the way how the Nissan Leaf behaves. Look at the back, no tailpipes! The absence of the tailpipes is the main purpose for Nissan's Zero Emission program. This program will achieve a better tomorrow with the Leaf. Everyone knows how to recharge the Leaf. Charging to the Leaf's front is somewhat an originality.

The Leaf is powered with the electric powered EM61 motor that achieves the highest electric economy of 124km/L. 124km/L! This electric car is so amazing, you can go further every time before the battery drains! Think about going around the world with the Leaf. This is just perfect to achieve its true eco-car status. Aside from its eco-car status, there is a 100% tax cut thanks to Japan's "Eco Car Genzei" system. The plug to charge the Leaf's EM61 motor is 200V, so you need an 200V outlet to charge the Leaf. Plug the wrong side and boom! You're hopeless to charge the Leaf until you find another 200V outlet to charge it!

My thoughts about the Leaf:
I'm afraid that NMPI or Universal Motors Corporation can't bring the Nissan Leaf yet until our government approves the law to sell electric vehicles to our country. The question really is, can the Department of Environment and Natural Resources talk about the Nissan Leaf. Of course this is an electric car, imagine how many students from Philippines' most successful universities such as the UP, De La Salle, Ateneo, Far Eastern University, San Beda, and other universities take advantage of the Nissan Leaf for their science reports to discuss it in front. I'm sure these students may pass because of the remarkable inspiration of the Nissan Leaf.

The Leaf is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in mid-December, following with North America and Europe. Speaking of Europe, the Leaf won the 2010-2011 Europe Car of the Year, outwitting Europe's finest such as the Citroen C3/DS3 and Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

This electric car defines "biri-biri" to a new level...

Official Site:

Japan: http://ev.nissan.co.jp/
North America: http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index
Global :http://www.nissan-zeroemission.com/EN/

Leaf is 2011 Europe Car of the Year even it hasn't been in showrooms yet!

The Nissan Leaf is haven't been on sale in Japan before the end of the year, but it got something that makes it proud.

The Nissan Leaf is awarded 2010-2011 Europe Car of the Year!

Scoop: http://paultan.org/2010/11/30/nissan-leaf-is-the-2011-european-car-of-the-year/

Honestly, it's Japanese. But how did one Japanese electric car beat against Europe's finest such as the Alfa Romeo new Giulietta, Citroen C3 and DS3, or even the Opel/Vauxhall Meriva?

I don't know, but anyway, congrats to Nissan for winning the holy grail for European cars. The Japanese car that won the Europe Car of the Year made it the biggest competitor in the new age of electric cars.

Sadly, we can't get the Nissan Leaf to the Philippines yet unless the PH Government has to approve the law that allows sale of Electric Cars to our country.

Nissan Leaf's first epic fail!

Some blogger in Japan showed us a clip of the Nissan Leaf's first epic fail!

EPIC FAIL! If you guessed it....

It happened at the testing grounds of Nissan Global Headquarters Gallery during the new action tour sponsored by Nissan to promote not just the Leaf, but new fuel-efficient cars suitable for the environment.

World's first Leaf crash makes history. EPIC FAIL for Nissan's first electric car coming soon to the world market.

At least no one got hurt.

This goes to the history as the world's first Nissan Leaf crash happened at the testing grounds of Nissan Global Headquarters Gallery.

Video uploaded by goldstorehouse