The next Nissan Leaf will arrive as an electric crossover instead of the hatchback we’ve seen for years, and the automaker is expected to make a range of improvements to the EV, from better aerodynamics to a significantly longer range estimate. Nissan recently shared more photos of the new vehicle, along with a few new details.
The new Leaf will sport an impressive drag coefficient of 0.26 in the U.S. and Japan and just 0.25 in Europe, thanks to flush door handles, active grille shutters, and aerodynamic wheel designs. The Leaf’s underfloor is also flat, and its rear-end shape aids in airflow. Nissan said that every part of the vehicle’s exterior design is aimed at boosting aerodynamics, including the available panoramic sunroof, which helps reduce drag in some situations.
Nissan executives previously stated a 373-mile (600-kilometer) driving range on the WLTP cycle. The EPA’s range estimates are generally far more conservative, which would likely mean a number somewhere around 300 miles when it arrives here. The Leaf will come from the factory with a Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) port built in, giving it access to far more chargers than its predecessor.
The automaker is expected to release more details on the new Leaf during its official launch later this month, including official U.S. range estimates, interior specs, tech features, and more. It might be a while before we receive pricing information, but we expect a noticeable upcharge over the previous Leaf’s $28,140 starting price.
[Images: Nissan]
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