New Nissan Leaf out in the open under covers
Words NZ Autocar | Images Kindelauto
The new Nissan Leaf looks is undergoing testing in the US. The little electric hatchback is looking much more like a crossover design, as Nissan suggested it would.
Launched in 2010, the Leaf was the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle and it fared well. Back in 2011 it won the World, European and Japanese Car of the Year awards.
Fast forward 15 years, and Nissan’s electric hatch is looking rather long of tooth. Moreover, Ariya hasn’t met with as much success as Leaf. But then there was little competition back then. Now everyone has an EV for sale.
So Nissan is prepping the next-gen Leaf for launch. It promises added style, more range, and faster charging. And hopefully more affordable pricing than Ariya.
The company previewed it with the Chill Out concept in 2021. Nissan dealers back then dubbed it “mini Ariya.”
New Leaf is expected to debut officially later this year, but meantime camouflaged examples are out road testing.
What’s abundantly clear is that the next-gen Leaf looks much more shapely than the outgoing example. And indeed it is a crossover coupe if you wanted to attach a label to it. It rides higher above the ground and features a more aerodynamic profile.
Snaps of the new Leaf emerged from the Colorado Springs area. It will compete in the US against an old rival, the Chevy Bolt, which is due to return later this year in a totally new guise.
