Nissan Leaf Nismo Sporty Electric Hatchback with Nismo Upgrades

Nissan Leaf Nismo electric hot hatch launched in Japan

Nissan has launched a Nismo version of its Leaf electric hatchback in Japan, offering a more urgent powertrain, sportier handling and an aggressive look.

The Leaf Nismo has been altered by Nissans performance division and was previewed in a concept earlier this year. Although it won't be sold outside ofJapan, it could preview the look of a Nismo trim variant that could make it to the UK.

The Leaf Nismo has been given a more urgent powertrain and sharpened throttle response. No performance figures have been released, but improvements are expected on the standard cars 7.9sec 0-62mph time and rolling acceleration pace.

Nissan and Italdesign GT-R50 could reach roads

Also added are 18in wheels wrapped in Continental ContiSportContact 5 tyres, different dampers and an altered electronic stability control system, to make the car feel sharper and more eager on the road.

The powertrain hardware remains the same as the normal Leaf's, with a 40kWh battery pack providing energy to an alternating current synchronous electric motor. But a new custom tuning computer has been added to enhance the systems performance.

To mark it out from the standard car, Nismo has added a new front grille and bumpers, with contrasting colours and a Nismo badge. Theres also a diffuser at the back. Inside, there are Alcantara sections on the steering wheel, red trim and different gauges, as well as a carbonfibre-effect finish on the dashboard.

BMW i3s review 2018

Nissan LEAF NISMO sport version is officially launching and going on sale this month

Nissan and Nismo, the automakers motorsports and in-house tuning division, have been teasing making a version of the new Leaf for a while and its now finally happening.

The Japanese automaker has announced the official debut and the start of sales of the new Leaf Nismo by the end of the month.

The Leaf got a much-needed design refresh with the release of the next generation last year, but even that wasnt enough to make the vehicle attractive to some.

To be fair, the electric vehicle was coming from a long way behind when it comes to design.

Now a Nismo version is giving the already updated design a sportier and more aggressive look.

Nissan unveiled a new Leaf Nismo concept earlier this year, but it didnt confirm any plan to launch the vehicle at the time.

Today, it confirmed that it will go on sale on July 31 in Japan without details for an international rollout.

The automaker also released an overview of all the custom features for the Leaf Nismo version:

Exterior design

The Nissan LEAF NISMO features the characteristic layered double wings of the NISMO road car series, improving downforce without compromising drag coefficient. Signaling the high-performance driving provided by its low center of gravity, the exterior also includes custom 18-inch aluminum wheels that minimize air resistance.

The nine available body colors include the NISMO series custom Brilliant Silver (M)^*/Super Black two-tone and the Dark Metal Grey (M)/Super Black two-tone.^{* (M) = metallic}

Interior design

The sporty interior appeals to the senses with prominent use of NISMOs custom red accents, including the three-spoke steering wheel with a red center mark. The instrument panel features a custom carbon-like finish, and the electronic shift has a gun metal chrome finish.

Chassis performance

The Nissan LEAF NISMOs dedicated 18-inch high-grip tires and custom suspension system provide a comfortable ride and stable handling. Its custom-tuned electric power steering and Intelligent Trace Control (cornering stabilization system) provide high stability and lane-tracing abilities.

Comfortable acceleration

The custom tuning computer in the Nissan LEAF NISMO allows for a delicate but strong acceleration response. This results in comfortable driving on both city streets and winding roads.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Global Newsroom

Nissan Leaf NISMO RC test drive

"Racing improves the breed" so said Soichiro Honda about the link between motorsport projects and the ordinary road cars that people drive away from dealerships. Honda's fellow Japanese brand Nissan is now applying that philosophy to electric cars with this Leaf RC from its NISMO racing division.

Advertisement - Article continues below

This is actually the second Leaf RC an earlier version, based on the first-generation Leaf, appeared in 2011 and as you'd expect boasts more impressive specs and stats than its predecessor. It has two batteries and two electric motors, delivering a Tesla-like 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds a top speed of 138mph. Each motor puts out 161bhp, for a total output of 322bhp, with one turning the front axle and the other the rear.

While the roadgoing Leaf is characterised by its silence, the single-speed racing gearbox employed here means the Leaf RC emits an earsplitting whine at almost any speed, but it's an appropriately dramaticnoise for such a potent machine.

Although it features Leaf Mk2 styling cues on the outside, underneath this is a pure racing car, with a carbonfibre tub in the centre and subframes made of the same lightweight yet strong material at either end. Despite that, the presence of the batteries and motors sees the Leaf RC tip the scales at a little more than 1,200kg, which is on the heavy side for a race car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Our test run in the Leaf RC was unfortunately blighted by heavy rain at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain (best known as a venue for MotoGP bike racing and F1 testing), which meant we were restricted to the least potent 'Map 4' setting for the drivetrain.

All the same, the car felt extremely responsive on track, even though we were 107bhp down on the peak possible power output. The RC has no traction control and no anti-lock brakes, so it's down to the driver to keep everything under control and pointing in the right direction. A degree of delicacy is required, then, but it was still clear just how much performance potential this car has.

We'd need more time and a dry track to fully explore the electric Leaf racer's limits, but even our brief and damp encounter was enough to come away confident that applying some of this technology to future Nissan electric road cars will keep driving enthusiasts very happy indeed.

Nissan Leaf NISMO RC

Drivetrain: Twin electric motors, lithium-ion batteryPower/torque: 322bhp/640NmTransmission: Single-spur gear, four-wheel drive0-62mph: 3.4 secondsTop speed: 138mph

Is the Nissan Leaf Nismo an electric hot hatch, or does it just look like one?

The all-electric Nissan Leaf isnt the model that typically comes to mind when the conversation turns to hot hatches. That could change later this month, however, when a new concept named Nissan Leaf Nismo breaks cover at the biennial Tokyo Auto Show.

The Nismo stands out from the garden-variety Leaf with a much sportier design; its like an electric car in track shoes. It receives a concept-specific body kit with red accents, a deeper front bumper that mimics air dams without incorporating them because theyre not needed, and a black stripe on the hood that matches the roof panel. Walk to the back of the car and youll find a roof-mounted spoiler, plus an air diffuser integrated into the rear bumper. Multi-spoke alloy wheels add a finishing touch to the design.

The visual upgrades continue inside, where Nissan has added sport seats for the front passengers, a flat-bottom steering wheel with a 12 oclock mark, and more red accents for good measure.

Its not all about looks, though; Nissan promises the Leaf Nismo is truly exciting to drive. The list of handling-enhancing modifications includes a sport-tuned suspension which lowers the ride height, high-performance tires, and a re-programmed ECU that helps the electric motor deliver instant acceleration at all speeds. More specific performance details havent been published, so we dont know what else Nissan has up its sleeve, or what effect the body kit has on range.

The brand-new second-generation Leaf uses an electric motor rated at 147 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Those are generous increases of 40 horses and 49 pound-feet over the outgoing model, but there is still room for improvement especially since the Leaf gained 100 pounds in its transition from a first- to a second-generation model. A car the size and weight of the Leaf would need at least 250 horsepower to be considered a true hot hatch. Lets hope Nissans Nismo team hasnt forgotten about that aspect of building a sports car. Were a little bit skeptical; the Sentra Nismo didnt receive a bump in power.

The Leaf Nismo wont shine on its own at the Tokyo show. Nissan will also introduce a Nismo-tuned Serena, a tall, odd-looking minivan sold only in overseas markets, and an updated version of the Skyline. Show-goers who attend the big Tokyo gathering at the end of the month will get to check out no less than 13 Nissan vehicles.

Editors' Recommendations