Nissan Motor Co. released the second edition of its LEAF Insights video series, which explored the automaker’s third-generation vehicle. The episode discussed various enhancements, including improved maneuverability and suspension, advanced heat regeneration, and upgrades to the cabin.
Boosting Performance and Saving Energy
The new LEAF features Nissan’s 3-in-1 electric powertrain, which is 10% smaller than the previous model’s motor. The new powertrain also provides 160 kilowatts of power and 261 foot-pounds of torque.
Described as the “top priority,” new liquid-cooled batteries use a thermal recovery system that captures heat from the onboard charger to help boost performance and save energy.
A Quieter Ride
Cabin upgrades include improvements to vibration and noise, resulting in a quieter interior by up to two decibels at urban speeds of around 31 miles per hour. Additionally, the compact powertrain allowed Nissan’s engineers to place the HVAC unit under the hood instead of behind the instrument panel, creating more cabin space.
Nissan also combined a multi-link rear suspension system, which features a 66% boost in lateral stiffness, with the CMF-EV architecture and a rigid body design to enhance agility and ride comfort.
Increased Turning Radius
The automaker reportedly improved the LEAF’s turning radius by 0.1 meters despite the vehicle’s larger 19-inch wheels. Nissan credited the increased maneuverability to an advanced rack electronic power steering system, which achieves a 5.3-meter minimum turning radius.
Image credit: Nissan
