GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

New models - Nissan - Leaf - e+

Driven: Big-battery Nissan Leaf e+ touches down

Nissan Leaf EV hatch scores more power, better range with arrival of e+ variant

29 Apr 2021

NISSAN Australia has bolstered the performance of its Leaf all-electric small hatch with the arrival of the new flagship e+ variant, which checks into local showrooms $10,500 upstream of its regular counterpart at $60,490 plus on-road costs.

 

With the specification of the e+ essentially the same as the base-level Leaf, the main difference lies under the skin with the powertrain – the Leaf e+ features a lithium-ion battery that is now 22kWh larger, with a combined capacity of 62kWh.

 

That extra battery capacity not only boosts WLTP driving range by 115km to 385km, but also power from 110kW/320Nm to a more punchy 160kW/340Nm – an increase of 50kW/20Nm.

 

Nissan expects buyers to slightly favour the regular $49,990 Leaf with a variant split of around 60:40, with Nissan Australia electrification and mobility national manager Ben Warren explaining that a range of factors will decide which variant will be best for them, but at the end of the day the option of choice was critical.

 

“Ultimately, there’s a few different pieces to that, every buyer is a little bit different,” he said.

 

“But really we think that the range is obviously a critical piece, and where e+ really ties in is for those customers who do those extra-long drives or have those extra requirements, and that’s where the e+ really provides that solution today. 

 

“The reason why we think the Leaf will be the lion’s share of the sales will be that 270km range that suits the needs for most customers today based on their average driving – the average commute is 38km a day, something like that, and so what we see with Leaf and e+ is opening up the choice there and opening up to consumers whether it’s that real need of ‘I have a beautiful home up here in the country that I need to get to’ or whether it’s the perceived distances, whatever it may be it’s providing a range of choice and options for more customers.”

 

Nissan expected there to be some sales cannibalisation with the arrival of the e+, but overall the new variant will lead to an increase in total volume.

 

In the first quarter of the year, the Japanese brand has sold 118 examples of the Leaf, and in 2020 managed 370 total units.

 

Nissan Australia managing director Stephen Lester said the Leaf will attract the greatest level of popularity from government buyers, but would like to see a greater uptick in private sales.

 

“(Private buyers are) still a pretty small percentage so we’re seeing really strong increases especially in the government space, shires not unlike this one (Hepburn shire) express interest to us on how they are changing over their fleets, so that’s going to continue.”

 

He also called on governments at all levels to introduce new legislation to help increase EV ownership among private customers.

 

As mentioned, the Leaf e+ features a larger battery than the Leaf which along with the extra range and power also increases its DC charging capability with a peak 100kW capacity (up from 50kW) which on a 100kW charger can charge from 20 to 80 per cent in 45 minutes.

 

On a 50kW charger it takes 90 minutes (down to 60m for the Leaf).

 

The Leaf is unique in the pure-EV segment by offering bi-directional charging capability, meaning energy stored in the car’s battery can be returned back to the home allowing for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability, or can otherwise be used as a remote power source.

 

Unsurprisingly, the extra power of the e+ results in improved straight-line performance, with zero to 100km/h completed in 6.9 seconds – full second quicker than the Leaf despite a 142kg weight penalty – and a top speed pegged at 158km/h, up from 145km/h.

 

Like the regular Leaf, the e+ feature’s Nissan’s e-Pedal function that allows for predominantly one-pedal driving, with the accelerator tuned to apply regenerative braking when not depressed.

 

Measuring 4490mm long, 1788mm wide and 1540mm tall, the Leaf e+ has a 2700mm wheelbase and comes with 405 litres of luggage space.

 

Standard equipment otherwise matches the regular Leaf, and starts with 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/50 tyres (with a space-saver spare), LED headlights, tail-lights and daytime running lights; automatic lights and wipers, power-folding side mirrors with heating, and rear privacy glass.

 

Moving inside the cabin, features extend to an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, DAB+ digital radio, a seven-speaker Bose sound system, a 7.0-inch multi-function display, heated front and outboard rear seats, a heated steering wheel, climate control, keyless entry and start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and black leather-accented upholstery with Ultrasuede inserts.

 

Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility active safety suite is also included, and comes with autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep and steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, surround-view cameras, front and rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert, tyre pressure monitoring, and high-beam assist.

 

Competition for the Leaf e+ comes from the likes of the Hyundai Kona EV ($60,740-$65,290) and MG ZS EV ($43,990), with no other EVs currently offered in the small car segment.

 

2021 Nissan Leaf pricing*

Leaf (a) $49,990
Leaf e+ (a) $60,490

*Excludes on-road costs


Quick tests

Read more

GoAuto can help you buy a new Leaf

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

Nissan models

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here