.jpg?p=120522_05:21)
.jpg?p=120522_05:22)
.jpg?p=120522_05:23)
.jpg?p=120522_05:24)
.jpg?p=111221_03:51)
Behold: the first electric vehicle that isn't wholly dull (with the possible exception of the boys' homemade effort). It's the Nismo Leaf. And we want one.
It's got a full carbon-fibre monocoque chassis and body panels, bespoke suspension and a fully driver-adjustable rear wing. The custom shell's also more than a foot - yes, FOOT - lower, 20mm longer, 170mm wider and 40 per cent lighter than the original.
Nissan left most of the standard EV drivechain from the production Leaf, including the 80kw electric motor and 24kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Nismo moved it to the middle of the car where it powers the rear wheels, not the fronts.
It's relatively fast - 0-62mph takes 6.85 seconds and it tops out 93mph. But, as you can hear for yourself, the noise isn’t terribly trouser tightening. Oh, and according to official documentation, it only lasts 20 minutes at racing speed. Then takes half-an-hour for the batteries to reach 80 per cent charge. Probably not one for Le Mans, then
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
wantangbob commented on this article
at 01:21 pm on 17 May 2011
I'm pretty sure that the Tango T600 would spank it all over the racetrack. 0-60 in 4 seconds and onto 150mph.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
CaptainSlow12 commented on this article
at 02:48 pm on 17 May 2011
Cool car but i miss the sound of a big V8.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Takk commented on this article
at 03:00 pm on 17 May 2011
I'm glad they at least try. It's easy to succumb to the 'Driving automobiles is bad, okay?' brigade. It's like Nissan says 'Okay, we sell soybeans now, but we still know what to do with chicken.'
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
SiSSYLaLa commented on this article
at 03:02 pm on 17 May 2011
Looks very interesting. I really want to get my hands on a new Tesla. Hopefully they make this Leaf car more appealing.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
SimonBee commented on this article
at 03:26 pm on 17 May 2011
Here we go again. Another car ruined. God I hate those electic car stuff. It won't work in the real world so why don't they just abandon it. They really shoud focus on those hydrogen fuel cells and solve the issuse there!
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.