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Title: Nissan unveils the third-generation Leaf EV

Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2025 14:56:21 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/n...

Nissan has unveiled its third-generation Leaf EV with a completely new
design. The 2026 model sheds the last vestiges of its original compact car
body and leans fully into crossover SUV territory. The new look offers some
design features that are commonly seen in the all-electric vehicle
marketplace, allowing it to compete against other models in its class. These
include available dual 14.3-inch displays, flush door handles for better
aerodynamics, and liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries.

The new Leaf is also the latest EV to adopt the NACS charging port after
Tesla made it open-source in 2022. Since then, just about every major
automaker from Ford to Mercedes has adopted the standard, with these brands
getting access to Tesla's Supercharger network on a rolling basis. For added
convenience, a J1772 port, the most common standard for Level 2 chargers, is
included on the driver's-side fender. The Leaf's video announcement
highlights bi-directional V2X technology that allows drivers to power their
homes, send power to the grid, or provide power when camping, though details
are sparse.

In the same video, NissanΓÇÖs head of global design, Alfonso Albaisa,
explains the lengths the company went to in making the car as aerodynamic as
possible in order to achieve the carΓÇÖs stated 300-mile range. The rear door
handles, for instance, are built into the C-pillar, which could make for an
awkward angle when trying to open the door with your hands full. The body of
the Leaf has a chunky, SUV-like stance, with a wide front reminiscent of the
Volkswagen ID.4. In the end, all these design choices helped the new Leaf
reduce its drag coefficient by 10 percent from the previous generation.

Nissan

Nissan is also bringing the new Leaf's battery thermal management to par with
other major EV brands, which will improve charging performance in cold
weather. The car will capture wasted heat from the drive motor and the on-
board charger, and use it to help warm the battery to its ideal temperature
for charging. In frigid conditions it can also use the car's heat pump, and a
dedicated battery heater to further maintain battery temperatures.

Design easter eggs throughout the car pay homage to the brandΓÇÖs name by
incorporating ΓÇ£2-3ΓÇ¥ iconography in the form of stripes, which are meant
to represent the kanji writing of two and three in Japanese, pronounced
ΓÇ£niΓÇ¥ and ΓÇ£san.ΓÇ¥

The new Leaf is built on a 75-kWh, liquid-cooled battery pack and packs a 214-
horsepower electric motor. It will be offered in a wide variety of color
options along with a slew of optional features like 19-inch wheels, dimming
panoramic roof and 64-color ambient lighting. Built-in Google integrating
Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Play Store into the Leaf is also an
available option. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard on
the Leaf S and S+. Nissan says a cheaper 52-kWh version with a 174-horsepower
motor will become available at a later date.

This major redesign comes amid a turbulent last year for Nissan, culminating
in its CEO stepping down after a failed merger with Honda. The automaker had
previously gone through a downsizing last year as part of its mission to cut
billions of dollars in costs.

The 2026 Nissan Leaf will hit showrooms this fall, though pricing has yet to
be announced.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/n...
generation-leaf-ev-145620303.html?src=rss

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