CompleteCar

New Nissan Leaf ‘more aerodynamic’

Nissan talks about zero lift at speed, more stability and extra range for EV Leaf MkII.

What's the news?

It might only be an obfuscating teaser image, but this solitary photo shows that the all-new Nissan Leaf electric car will feature an edgier body, rather like the latest Micra - and the good news is that this creased exterior will be even more aerodynamic than its soap-bar predecessor.

Nissan says the airflow over the body of its fully electric vehicle (EV) is so suitably improved that the car is even more efficient than before, allowing drivers to travel longer distances on a single charge of the lithium-ion battery.

The Japanese car company makes a big deal about less drag and better stability for the Leaf MkII, which has been achieved because the vehicle now sits even closer to the ground than it did previously.

That results, Nissan claims, in zero lift, keeping the Leaf planted at high speeds, increasing stability and driver confidence in one fell swoop.

Nissan also says that new design features 'significantly stabilise' the car when it is hit by strong crosswinds, while the shape of the Leaf is inspired by airplane wings - apparently 'enabling a symmetric air flow that helps the car slice through the air for a smoother, more efficient journey'.

The original Leaf launched in 2010 and since then, it has surpassed more than 250,000 units sold worldwide, making it the global leader for full EVs. A range-extending update was visited on the Nissan in early 2016, allowing the car to go up to 250km on a single charge. So if the newcomer can go 300km+, this aero trickery could be a brilliant masterstroke by the company.

Anything else?

If you want to find out the latest updates on the all-new Leaf as it nears launch and production, then pop the following hashtags into your preferred social media channels to keep abreast of developments - #Nissan, #LEAF and #ElectrifyTheWorld.

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Published on August 4, 2017