2013 Nissan Leaf Electric Car Revealed In Japanese Trim

By Antony Ingram

Antony Ingram

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The updated car, which is set to go on sale in the U.S. early next year, features a host of minor upgrades.

The changes are aimed at attracting a few more customers than the current 43,000 who have taken the plunge, since the car went on sale in December 2010.

UPDATE (9:30 am, Tue, Nov 20): Nissan Americas has released the following statement:

Specifications for the 2013 Nissan Leaf in Japan were released [today], and apply only for that model designed for the Japanese market. Information on the 2013 Nissan Leaf in the U.S. will be released closer to its on-sale date here.

As with prior model year Leafs, specifications between markets are unique, and ratings such as range differ based on the governmental testing procedures in individual markets.

New, cheaper model

The most significant addition to the new Leaf range will be a cheaper, bottom-end model with a little less equipment than Leaf buyers currently get.

It's all very well loading your new car with gadgets, but for some the inflated sticker price can be off-putting--which is where the less expensive model comes in.

In Japan, this model is badged 'S'. The down-graded model trades alloy wheels for steel rims and wheel trims, a less distinctive black interior, and regular halogen headlamps, rather than the LED units in the current Leaf.

Despite initial suspicions, Nissan confirms that the Leaf S doesn't sacrifice any performance to the higher-spec models--which means the range should also be the same.

Several minor improvements

Both the base-spec Leaf and better-equipped versions also benefit from several upgrades which should make the car just that little bit easier to live with.

Chief among these is a slightly larger trunk, the extra space liberated by moving a downsized charger from the back of the car, to the front. Space has increased from 11.6 cu-ft to 13 cu-ft.

Nissan has also reduced the car's weight.

By integrating the electric motor, inverter, and AC/DC converter, Nissan has reduced their combined weight by 10 percent. Lighter parts used throughout, an improved battery module and more integrated electronic units have collectively reduced mass by over 170-lbs.

A newly-designed motor improves acceleration response, and between the weight reductions and a re-jig of the steering, the new car should also handle better. Nissan has also tweaked the regenerative braking to improve power generation.

Range on the Japanese cycle has also increased by 14 percent. If that increase finds its way into U.S. model, the official EPA range of 73 miles could increase to as much as 83 miles. We're going to wait and see what EPA testing shows before celebrating, though...

Further enhancements

Other improvements include a new percentage estimate for remaining battery capacity, and a long-life battery mode is now available in any charging mode, which charges the battery to 80 percent to improve pack life.

The charging port now has a locking mechanism, an LED light for night charging, and an electromagnetic opener for the charging door. Inside, a light-weight BOSE seven-speaker stereo is available, as is an around-view monitor for parking.

Leather seats are also available, and the top-end 'G' spec versions in Japan also come with sporty 17-inch alloy wheels.

It isn't clear how many of these upgrades will make the U.S.-spec Leaf due next year, but the base-spec model is a certainty.

As is a lower price--both as a result of the downgraded model, and variances in exchange rates removed when production starts at the Smyrna, Tennessee plant.

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