Nissan is turning over a new Leaf

As we mentioned at the end of last year, the Nissan Leaf is morphing from a family hatch into an SUV for its third generation. Now thanks to various different sources, we are getting a clearer picture of how the all-new Leaf will look.

Earlier this year, Nissan president and CEO, Makoto Uchida, confirmed that the brand’s Chill-Out concept would inspire the next-generation Leaf. 

Nissan’s VP of Design for Europe, Matthew Weaver, recently added “I can say that it’s pretty true to form.

“It’s been quite a journey. The Chill-Out concept was very clean, very cool, and those elements are coming through on the production-ready version. 

“We’re nearing completion, and things like aerodynamics and packaging are at the forefront. There have been some changes, but you definitely see where the DNA has come from.”

The Chill-Out concept featured a smooth, coupé-style roofline, an upright tailgate, and the raised ride height of a crossover SUV. 

However, the headlight signature of the next Leaf differs slightly from the production version which will also have a more pointed nose. This has become clear because Nissan released a business plan recently in which mention was made of three new EVs launching in Europe by 2026. Teaser shots of the new Leaf suggested Nissan’s typical boomerang light shape, and a black V-motion but otherwise new Leaf seems all new.

Weaver, talking to AutoExpress, said “We don’t want to do clones. We try to make each car quite individual, even looking across the global range.”

The new Leaf will utilise the Renault-Nissan AmpR Medium platform (previously CMF-EV) that underpins the electric Megane. The design maximises the packaging benefits of an electric powertrain. Leaf will likely borrow the Megane’s 162kW electric motor and its 60kWh battery pack. That should give it a 450km range.

The Leaf will feature space aplenty inside, along with the latest infotainment system that debuted in the facelifted Qashqai. It uses Google’s Android Automotive OS like in Megane, only with Nissan’s own graphics. 

Nissan will manufacture the new Leaf at its Sunderland plant in the UK. The Alliance is investing £3b into building three gigafactories that will produce new Leaf, and the next Juke and Qashqai. 

Nissan hasn’t confirmed when the Leaf will disrobe officially but it’s soon, given it is scheduled to go into production early in 2025. The Juke, and the Micra successor based on the new Renault 5, will be next on the reveal list.