The Nissan LEAF Electric Vehicle is soon to grace South African roads…
With the imminent launch of the Nissan LEAF Electric Vehicle in South Africa we tasked our intrepid team of bloggers, test drivers and sales executives to take a look what we can expect from nissan’s eco-friendly electric vehicle.
With the 2013 model of the the Nissan LEAF being a huge improvement over older versions of this now iconic EV it should come as no surprise that the 2013 model now has a more powerful motor, increased battery range and improved practicality.
So How Does The LEAF Perform?
Thanks to the instant torque of its under-bonnet electric motor, the Nissan LEAF is no slouch in the pace department. In fact, the 80kW (109bhp) electric motor powers the LEAF to 100km’s per hour in just under 12 seconds. It also easily reaches and maintains it’s top speed of 160km’s per hour effortlessly thanks to the LEAFS ever-ready torque and stepless electric power delivery.
What can the Nissan LEAFS Engine be Compared to?
Although our team cannot make a direct comparison to any other existing engine, it could be said that the LEAF is on par with a regular 1.6-litre turbodiesel for pace, only it has far superior refinement and better maintenance costs.
Please Note! South African running costs are yet to be established however.
How Far can the LEAF Drive on a Single Charge?
Nissan claims the Leaf can now achieve just under 200 km’s on a single charge. This is perfect for the average South African commuter who can charge the car both at home and at participating Nissan dealers along the way.
What About The Vehicles Other Features?
The 2013 Nissan LEAF has a bootspace of 370 litres, LED Headlights, 17in alloys and the LEAF TEKNA Models get a seven-speaker Bose hi-fi designed to use less power than other high-end sound systems.
So What is the Verdict?
South African’s are lucky to be getting the best Nissan LEAF yet as their introduction to electric vehicle driving, however there will be one single drawback to EV driving for the foreseeable future – the limited away from home recharge infrastructure! That said, if you are prepared to work around this (use the LEAF for local commuting only) you will be rewarded with a satisfying, stress-free driving experience that cannot be found anywhere else.
