2010 Nissan LEAF EV unveiled, coming to the U.S. in 2010

Nissan’s CEO Carlos Ghosn today unveiled the Japanese automaker’s new zero-emission electric-car - the Nissan LEAF. The model is scheduled to be launched in late 2010 in Japan, United States and Europe.

The medium-sized hatchback, which comfortably seats five adults, is powered by lithium ion cells that power the 80 kW (107-hp) electric motor with a peak torque of 208 lb-ft. On a full-charge, the Nissan LEAF allows for a driving range of 100 miles with a top speed of 87 mph.

Charging time takes approximately 8 hours on a standard 200V outlet. However, buyers can opt for the DC 50kW quick-charger, which recharges the battery up to 80 percent in under 30 minutes.

Nissan expects production capacity to reach 200,000 units a year by 2012.  The first couple of units will be produced at the company’s Oppama, Japan, with additional capacity planned for Smyrna, Tennessee. The lithium-ion batteries, which cost around $10,000 per vehicle, will be produced in Zama, Japan, with additional capacity planned for the U.S., UK and Portugal. Pricing for the vehicle is expected to come in around $30,000 for the U.S. market.

Nissan said that it wants to mass market its electric vehicles globally by 2012.

Make the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

2010 Nissan LEAF EV:

Press Release:

NISSAN UNVEILS “LEAF” - THE WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRIC CAR DESIGNED FOR AFFORDABILITY AND REAL-WORLD REQUIREMENTS
Event ushers in a new era for Nissan and a new era for mobility

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled Nissan LEAF, the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car. Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) to satisfy real-world consumer requirements.

NISSAN LEAF
Slated for launch in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and Europe, Nissan LEAF ushers in a new era of mobility - the zero-emission era. The car is the embodiment of Nissan’s radical, transformative vision for the future and the culmination of decades of investment and research.

“Nissan LEAF is a tremendous accomplishment - one in which all Nissan employees can take great pride,” said Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn. “We have been working tirelessly to make this day a reality - the unveiling of a real-world car that has zero - not simply reduced - emissions. It’s the first step in what is sure to be an exciting journey - for people all over the world, for Nissan and for the industry.”

Key characteristics of the LEAF include:

1. Zero-emission power train and platform
2. Affordable pricing
3. Distinctive design
4. Real-world range autonomy - 160km (100 miles)
5. Connected Mobility: Advanced intelligent transportation (IT) system

The “LEAF” name is a significant statement about the car itself. Just as leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking emissions out of the driving experience. Pricing details will be announced closer to start of sales in late 2010; however, the company expects the car to be competitively priced in the range of a well-equipped C-segment vehicle. Additionally, Nissan LEAF is expected to qualify for an array of significant local, regional and national tax breaks and incentives in markets around the world. As an added benefit, because the vehicle has less mechanical complexity than a traditional gasoline-powered car, Nissan LEAF is designed to be friendly to the wallet as well as to the environment.

ZERO-EMISSION MOBILITY
Nissan LEAF is powered by laminated compact lithium-ion batteries, which generate power output of over 90kW, while its electric motor delivers 80kW/280Nm. This ensures a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience that is in keeping with what consumers have come to expect from traditional, gasoline-powered automobiles.

Unlike internal-combustion engine (ICE) equipped vehicles, Nissan LEAF’s power train has no tail pipe, and thus no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse gases. A combination of Nissan LEAF’s regenerative braking system and innovative lithium-ion battery packs enables the car to deliver a driving range of more than 160km (100 miles) on one full charge*. (*US LA4 mode)

Extensive consumer research demonstrates that this range satisfies the daily driving requirements of more than 70% of the world’s consumers who drive cars.

And, Nissan’s approach makes charging easy and convenient. Nissan LEAF can be charged up to 80% of its full capacity in just under 30 minutes with a quick charger. Charging at home through a 200V outlet is estimated to take approximately eight hours - ample time to enable an overnight refresh for consumer and car alike.

REAL-WORLD CAR
The engineers and designers behind Nissan LEAF worked to create a competitively priced real-world car that would enable Nissan to lead mobility into the zero-emission era. To ensure comfort, spaciousness and cargo capacity, Nissan LEAF employs a completely new chassis and body layout.

“Our car had to be the world’s first, medium-size, practical EV that motorists could afford and would want to use every day. And that’s what we’ve created. The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF but also the owner as a participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility,” said Masato INOUE, Product Chief Designer.

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN
Even the smallest details can yield tremendous effect.

Nissan LEAF’s frontal styling is characterized by a sharp, upright V-shaped design featuring long, up-slanting light-emitting diode (LED) headlights that employ a blue internal reflective design that announces, “This car is special.” But the headlights do more than make a statement. They are also designed to cleverly split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, thus reducing wind noise and drag. And, the headlights provide yet one more benefit in that they consume just 10 percent of the electricity of conventional lamps, which helps Nissan LEAF to achieve its world-class range autonomy.

Through bright trim colors inside, Nissan LEAF creates a pleasing and stylish cabin environment. An environmentally friendly “blue earth” color theme originates from the Aqua Globe body color of Nissan LEAF’s introductory model. This theme is carried into the interior through blue dashboard highlights and instrument illumination.

CONNECTED MOBILITY IT SYSTEM
Nissan LEAF employs an exclusive advanced IT system. Connected to a global data center, the system can provide support, information, and entertainment for drivers 24 hours a day.

The dash-mounted monitor displays Nissan LEAF’s remaining power - or “reachable area” - in addition to showing a selection of nearby charging stations.

Another state-of-the-art feature is the ability to use mobile phones to turn on air-conditioning and set charging functions - even when Nissan LEAF is powered down. An on-board remote-controlled timer can also be pre-programmed to recharge batteries.

“The IT system is a critical advantage,” says Tooru ABE, Chief Product Specialist. “We wanted this vehicle to be a partner for the driver and an enhancement for the passengers. We also wanted this vehicle to help create a zero-emission community, and these IT features will help make that possible.”

HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ZERO-EMISSION MOBILITY AND ECO-FRIENDLY INNOVATION
Nissan LEAF is a critical first step in establishing the era of zero-emission mobility; however, Nissan recognizes that internal-combustion engine (ICE) technologies will play a vital role in global transportation for decades to come. Because of this, Nissan is implementing its zero-emission vision through a holistic approach, which provides consumers a comprehensive range of eco-friendly technologies from which to choose.

For some consumers, Nissan LEAF will be the perfect match, and the only car they will ever need. For others, Nissan LEAF will be a logical addition to the family fleet - the optimal choice for the daily commute, for example.

While zero-emission is the ultimate goal, the company is committed to ongoing innovation in eco-friendly technologies that increase efficiency and reduce emissions. As a result, Nissan offers a comprehensive suite of automotive technologies, including CVT, Idle Stop, HEV, Clean Diesel, and ongoing research and investment in FCV technology.

WORLDWIDE PARTNERS
Zero-emission mobility programs under the banner of the Renault-Nissan Alliance include partnerships with countries such as the UK and Portugal, local governments in the Japan and the USA, and other sectors, for a total of nearly 30 partnerships worldwide.

In these partnerships major efforts focus on three areas:

1. Development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure through public and private investment,
2. Incentives and subsidies from local, regional, and national governments, and
3. Public education on the individual and societal benefits of zero-emissions mobility.

ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE PRODUCTION
Nissan LEAF is the first in the company’s forthcoming line of EVs and is a major milestone in the realization of the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s vision for zero-emission mobility. The first of Nissan’s EV’s will be manufactured at Oppama, Japan, with additional capacity planned for Smyrna, Tennessee, USA. Meanwhile, lithium-ion batteries are being produced in Zama, Japan, with additional capacity planned for the USA, the UK and Portugal, and other sites for investment are under study around the world.

ABOUT NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is a global automotive company with vehicle sales of 3.411 million in 2008. Nissan is present in all major auto markets worldwide, selling a comprehensive range of cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and light commerical vehicles.

NISSAN BLUE CITIZENSHIP
Nissan is committed to making a better world through its commitment to corporate social responsibility. This includes programs that focus on technological innovations that focus on people and care for the planet. Our vision for zero-emission mobility is an outgrowth of our CSR approach, which we call Blue Citizenship. Together, we are working with our Alliance partner, Renault, to make a better world through zero-emission mobility.

Nissan Qazana could go electric in 2013

Over the weekend, we saw Nissan unveil its first mass-production electric-vehicle due out in the U.S. as early as next year. Nissan, which has been very vocal about its electric-future recently, said yesterday that it wants to mass market its electric vehicles globally by 2012.

According to report by AutoCar, an all-electric version of the upcoming Qazana crossover and a production version of the mini Nuvu electric-concept is a possibility for 2013.

The Qazana, which was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, will be produced at Nissan’s Sunderland factory in the UK.

A source said that Nissan has plans of building seven lithium-ion battery production lines around the world, each with a capacity to produce 50,000 lithium-ion batteries annually.

The production version of the Nissan Qazana will debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

5,000 Nissan LEAF EVs coming to U.S. next year, onboard black box will monitor recharging habits

Nissan announced today that it is committed to an early launch of 5,000 units of its new Nissan Leaf electric-car in the Unite States late next year. The plan will require Nissan North America to gear up to sell the Leaf two years ahead of its mass-market launch, said Nissan.

According to Nissan’s director of product planning and strategy Mark Perry, the first 5,000 U.S. units of the Leaf will take part in a 5-market study of the electric-vehicle’s driving habits. He said that Nissan wants to study how consumers drive and recharge their vehicles.

“We’re moving fast,” Perry says. “This is not a test to determine whether or not it’s going to work. This is the beginning of mass marketing.”

The 5,000 customers who purchase the car must agree to have their recharging habits monitored by a black box installed in the car for the first two years of ownership. Perry said that Nissan will have requirements for the first 5,000 Leaf customers to make sure that their habits can provide the automaker with meaningful data.

Pricing of the Nissan Leaf will be announced closer to launch.

Refresher: Power comes from a 107-hp electric-motor that runs on power supplied by lithium ion cells. On a full-charge, the Nissan LEAF allows for a driving range of 100 miles with a top speed of 87 mph. A full charge takes up to 8 hours on a standard 200V outlet. Buyers can opt for the DC 50kW quick-charger, which recharges the battery up to 80 percent in under 30 minutes.

Nissan opens new 500 sq-ft Nurburgring facility

When your company owns a legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time, it’s only right that you own a shop at “Green Hell.” Nissan announced today that it is opening a new 500 square meter facility at the Nurburgring where fans can experience the company’s history of fascinating sports car.

Fans can visit the facility from 10 a.m to 8 p.m. and browse Nissan’s sports cars and lifestyle products or relax in the Nissan lounge. Nissan also has its GT-R, 370Z Nurburgring Edition (limited to 80 units) and the GT-R SpecV on hand.

Visitors can visit the Sportscar Shop to purchase Nissan and NISMO merchandise.

Sales of the Nissan GT-R SpecV will start later this year with pricing and availability details to be announced at a later date.

Nissan launches electric-vehicle platform, coming to U.S. in 2010 (w/video)

Nissan today revealed its electric-vehicle platform on a Vera-based prototype, showcasing its pure zero-emission vehicle ambitions which are expected to hit the U.S. and Japanese market as early as next year.

“The dedicated EV platform is comprised of a highly rigid body, high-performance motor, compact lithium-ion battery with high power output and energy capacity,” says Nissan. The in-house developed electric motor provides 107-hp with a peak torque of 206 lb-ft. Along with a regenerative brake system and a full-charge, Nissan new EV platform has a driving range of a little more than 99 miles.

Nissan is also flaunting its new “sophisticated IT system” that incorporates a navigation system that shows the driving radius within range under the current state of charge, calculates if the vehicle is within range of a pre-set destination and points out latest information on available charging stations within the current driving range.

While Nissan’s new electric-vehicle platform is debuting on a Versa-based prototype, the all-electric vehicle scheduled to debut in 2010 will have a unique design and body, says Nissan.

Nissan engineers tweaking mpgs to get Cash for Clunkers shoppers

Nissan Motor Co engineers are hurrying up to squeeze out another mile or two per gallons out of the automaker’s lineup in order to win customers who come looking for federal Cars Allowance Rebate System (CARS) or cash for clunkers money.

“We want as many of our products as possible to pop up on the shopping list,” Nissan North America spokesman Brian Brockman told Automotive News.

Vice president of Nissan Technical Center North America in suburban Detroit admits that there is little Nissan can do to dramatically increase the fuel-economy of their cars in such a short amount of time; however a number of quick changes are possible, especially if the government decides to extend the program.

The CARS program is scheduled to run until November, or when the $1 billion runs out.

To learn about details on the CARS program - click here.

Nissan teases electric-car on mini-site, scheduled to debut Aug 2nd

As of recently, Nissan has been quite vocal about its electric-vehicle ambitions. Along with the announcement of its new electric-vehicle platform this morning, Nissan launched a mini-site focused around the launch of its first electric-car scheduled to make its debut on August 2nd. The site shows a teaser of what we can expect to see when Nissan shows the new electric-car, which will hit the U.S. and Japanese markets in 2010.

While this morning we saw Nissan’s new electric-vehicle platform as a Versa-based prototype, the all-electric vehicle scheduled to debut in 2010 will have a unique design and body.

Nissan says that the in-house developed electric-motor will help the car produce a total of 107-hp with a driving range of more than 99 miles on a single charge.

Check out the website here.

Nissan demonstrates new iPhone app for electric-cars with impressive features

Need to check the battery level of your electric-vehicle? There’s an app for that. Need to see how hot is inside your vehicle so you can turn on the AC before you get inside? Well, there’s an app for that too - thanks to Nissan. Along with its new electric-vehicle platform announced yesterday, Nissan demonstrated a new iPhone app at its facility in Yokosuka, Japan that links to its electric-car’s IT system to check the charge status of the on-board lithium-ion battery.

Using the app, owners will be able to dial into their electric car and monitor the charging of their cars. The app could prove useful when electric-cars are parked at public charging stations and owners want to check in and see what the status of their battery-level is before getting back to driving.

Along with monitoring battery levels, owners will be able to see other detailed information such as the remaining time required for the full charge and the approximate cost they will have to pay at a charging station.

Other features include checking the interior temperature of the car and allowing users to turn on the air conditioning system to cool the inside before they get in.

Nissan’s new electric-car is scheduled to debut on August 2nd.

2009 Nissan 370Z review update, Honda ends U.S. motorcycle production, watch bodies of the Volt prototype being built

After having some server difficulties we’re back up and running so we’re going to continue wrapping up the day.

2009 Nissan 370Z test-drive update: As we were waiting for our database to get back up and running we decided to head out and do a little photo shoot for the 2009 Nissan 370Z. Here are some teaser photos that we’ll be posting along with the full review next week.

As for Ivan Gutierrez question: “Wait, this is a stupid question but what is under the square lift up thing? Radio and Climate controls? Does it go into the dash when opened.”

No - it has nothing inside except a little storage area. Sadly, it doesn’t go into the dash and flips outward. Check out the images below.

Honda ends motorcycle production in the United States: Honda said today that it is ending production of its motorcycles in the United States. The Honda of America Manufacturing Marysville, Ohio, motorcycle assembly plant was exclusively building Honda’s flagship motorcycle, the Goldwing. The reported capacity was about 70,000 units and Goldwings sold in the U.S. now will be imported from Japan. - AutoObserver

Video: Watch the Chevrolet Volt pre-production prototype bodies being built: As the pre-production versions of the Chevrolet Volt come together, check out how the body shop molds the body of the car together and how the vehicle gets primed in the paint lab.

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Pricing Announced

You might have noticed how enamored we are with the new Nissan 370Z coupe, a car which we’ve called “the best sports car on the planet for the money.”

Now we now how much that goodness will cost in roadster form. When it goes on sale in September, the 370Z Roadster with a six-speed manual will start at $37,690, while the seven-cog automatic model will command $38,990. The coupe carries a base price of $30,650 with a manual and $31,950 with an automatic.

The Touring model adds a Bose stereo with XM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, aluminum pedals, and heated and cooled leather seats. Plan to pay $41,240 for a manual and $42,540 for the automatic.

Sport and Navigation packages are also available for the 370Z Touring. The former stickers at $2800 and packs unique 19-inch Rays wheels wearing Bridgestone Potenza tires, tougher brakes, a limited-slip differential, and SynchroRev Match on manual-transmission cars. The $1850 Navigation package adds a 9.3-gig hard drive, USB music connectivity, and, of course, a navigation system. Black Cherry paint costs $500.

So the 332-hp 370Z Roadster will be cheaper than the $52,475 BMW Z4 sDrive35i convertible, the $48,325 Audi TTS roadster, and the $57,495 Porsche Boxster S, all cars the Nissan trumps in the power department. But will it follow the coupe into our hearts and become the best droptop sports car for the money? We can’t wait to slide behind the wheel and find out.

Read more about the new 370Z Roadster: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster – Auto Shows

2011 Nissan Leaf Electric Vehicle – Official Photos and Info

The company’s all-electric promise gets a name and a unique look.

With its forthcoming Leaf EV, Nissan claims to have “the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car.” Just don’t ask the price yet. And ignore the less-than-rosy emissions usually associated with generating electricity in the first place.

Keep Reading: 2011 Nissan Leaf Electric Vehicle – Official Photos and Info

2009 Nissan 370Z’s SynchroRev Match Explained – Tech Dept.

Throttle blips make every shift smooth.

Nissan’s SynchroRev Match (SRM) combines the tactile reward of shifting your own gears with the perfectly orchestrated downshifts of an automated manual or an automatic.

In most cars with a manual transmission, a smooth downshift requires a blip of the throttle to match the engine rpm with the speed of the lower gear. And shifting during braking requires the one-foot, two-pedal technique known as heel-and-toeing; your right foot blips the throttle while at the same time pushing the brake pedal. It can be harder to get right than health-care reform. But Nissan’s system, part of the Sport package on manual-transmission 370Zs and standard on the NISMO version, takes care of the rev matching for you.

Keep Reading: 2009 Nissan 370Z’s SynchroRev Match Explained – Tech Dept.

2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z – Second Short Take

Putting adventure on the table.

Sushi chefs know that when preparing fugu—the potentially lethal, raw puffer fish—there is a fine line between delivering a tingly taste sensation and committing homicide. The same dangers apply when attempting to improve an already great sports car such as the 370Z. Nissan’s performance division, NISMO—a portmanteau word concocted from Nissan Motorsports—is hoping that the NISMO Z leaves you tingly rather than beat to death.

We don’t have room to list all the differences between the NISMO and a regular Z, but here’s our CliffsNotes version: stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, firmer dampers, 7.1 inches longer, 0.1 inch lower. Plus, the VQ-series V-6 makes 18 more horsepower, 350 in all. Nissan added two body dampers—long shock absorbers mounted transversely to the body’s underside—to quell vibrations. And in case you forget what you’re driving, the NISMO moniker is scattered about in 16 places on the car. Curb weight is similar to that of lesser Zs, at 3340 pounds.

Keep Reading: 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z – Second Short Take

2010 Nissan 370Z Touring Roadster

Coupe-like performance and a stronger structure—and it looks fantastic, too.

We usually assess convertibles in terms of structural rigidity, the square root of all vehicle dynamics. Rubbery bones don’t enhance transient response, and there’s the disconcerting phenomenon of dashboard and steering column jiggling to the beat of slightly different sambas.

But that’s not the biggest concern of a team convertibilizing a fastback coupe. They’re wondering whether their baby will be seductive. Makes sense, right? After all, a guy surveying the traffic at a hookup bar isn’t thinking about structural rigidity (other than his own).

Keep Reading: 2010 Nissan 370Z Touring Roadster – Short Take Road Test