Nissan LEAF - the world’s first affordable zero-emission car
By Andrew C., 30 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
2011 Nissan LEAF
Nissan revealed today the world's first affordable, zero-emission car - dubbed LEAF - which represents transformative vision for the future and the culmination of decades of investment and research. But why LEAF? Well, according to Nissan, just as leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking emissions out of the driving experience. The new electric vehicle (which will be launched in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and Europe) is powered by compact lithium-ion batteries capable to deliver 90 kW while the electric motor delivers 80 kW and 280 Nm of torque. With the help of the regenerative braking system and innovative lithium-ion battery packs the new vehicle will be capable to deliver a range of more than 160km (100 miles) on one full charge while the top speed achieved is over 140 km/h (87 mph). "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. Nissan LEAF's frontal styling is characterized by a sharp, upright V-shaped design featuring long, up-slanting light-emitting diode (LED) headlights that employ a blue internal reflective design that announces, "This car is special."
But the headlights do more than make a statement. They are also designed to cleverly split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, thus reducing wind noise and drag. And, the headlights provide yet one more benefit in that they consume just 10 percent of the electricity of conventional lamps, which helps Nissan LEAF to achieve its world-class range autonomy. Through bright trim colors inside, Nissan LEAF creates a pleasing and stylish cabin environment. An environmentally friendly "blue earth" color theme originates from the Aqua Globe body color of Nissan LEAF's introductory model. This theme is carried into the interior through blue dashboard highlights and instrument illumination.
Nissan LEAF employs an exclusive advanced IT system. Connected to a global data center, the system can provide support, information, and entertainment for drivers 24 hours a day. The dash-mounted monitor displays Nissan LEAF's remaining power or "reachable area" in addition to showing a selection of nearby charging stations.Another state-of-the-art feature is the ability to use mobile phones to turn on air-conditioning and set charging functions even when Nissan LEAF is powered down. An on-board remote-controlled timer can also be pre-programmed to recharge batteries. "The IT system is a critical advantage," says Tooru ABE, Chief Product Specialist. "We wanted this vehicle to be a partner for the driver and an enhancement for the passengers. We also wanted this vehicle to help create a zero-emission community, and these IT features will help make that possible."
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