New Nissan LEAF teased again

Nissan has released yet another teaser image of its second-generation LEAF ahead of its world debut in Japan on September 6.

This time the rear-end of the all-new battery-electric hatchback can be seen wearing a ‘Zero Emission’ badge and wildly stylised, angular tail-lights.

No new info has been revealed – in fact, Nissan is yet to confirmed any hard facts about the redesigned LEAF – but the Japanese car-maker claims it will bring its most advanced technologies and “raise the bar for the electric vehicle market”.

What we know from leaks primarily from the US is that the replacement for the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle will be more powerful than before, thanks to a 108kW/320Nm electric motor.

That’s up from 80kW/280Nm in the current, now-discontinued LEAF, which takes eight seconds to hit 100km/h, so the new one should be quicker.

The new LEAF will also come with a far longer driving range thanks to a more energy-dense 40kWh lithium-ion battery cell. Its all-important range between recharges is expected to be double that of the current LEAF, the 30kWh battery in which can cover up to 250km between charges.

The new LEAF will be bigger too. Measuring in at 4481mm long, 1791mm wide and standing 1560mm tall, the next LEAF will share the same 2700mm wheelbase as the current car but will be 36mm longer, 21mm wider and 10mm taller.

We also know the LEAF will look more like an enlarged Micra and feature advanced aerodynamics inspired by an airplane wing and designed to minimise drag and help maximise the range at highway speeds.

There will also be a novel one-pedal driving option dubbed e-Pedal, which will allow drivers to slow and accelerate using just one pedal thanks to heavy brake regeneration.

Other new innovations to be introduced by the next LEAF include a new wireless charging feature that uses induction pads to charge your car instead of traditional plug-in cables, and Nissan’s ProPILOT semi-autonomous cruise control and parking aid.

So far there’s no indication whether pricing will go up or down from the previous model’s $39,990 drive-away pricetag when the new LEAF goes on sale globally in 2018.