Nissan grows a better LEAF

Nissan announced today at the 2017 CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas that the company will launch its second-generation all-electric LEAF passenger car in the near future.

It will be the first major revision for LEAF since its global and well publicised launch in 2010.

The major drawcard of the new LEAF is its improved, high-energy lithium-ion battery pack achieving an extended driving range and faster recharging.

Nissan did not confirm the range at CES but motoring.com.au understands it will be somewhere near 300km, well beyond the current maximum range of just 170km.

Nissan also did not comment about exterior design changes, which suggests the improvements will focus mainly of function rather than form, and will address many of the current LEAF's shortcomings.

According to Nissan, its second-generation EV will also feature advanced autonomous technology.

"New LEAF will be equipped with ProPilot technology, enabling autonomous drive functionality for single-lane highway driving,” said the company in a press statement.

ProPilot, presently available only in Japan, will gradually be introduced globally through new model launches in Europe, Japan, China and the United States prior to 2020.

ProPilot is basically a suite of driver-assist technologies including Intelligent Around-View Monitor and Intelligent Lane Intervention.

Closer to home, LEAF sales in Australia have not been rosy.

While global sales exceed 250,000, Nissan Australia has worked hard to move only 1000 LEAF vehicles since its local introduction in 2012.

Nissan Australia will import the new-generation LEAF but did not comment as to when and would not hint at expected pricing, although we can anticipate the second-gen model will be priced above the current $39,990 sticker.

The launch of the new LEAF may not be well timed however.

GM has started dealer deliveries of the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt, and Tesla appears to be ahead of schedule by several months with development and production of its Model 3 sedan.

Rumours in Las Vegas claim Tesla may launch Model 3 in the United States by mid-2017 but the make-or-break Tesla EV will not reach Australia until 2019 at the earliest.

Both the Chevy Bolt and the Model 3 are setting the accepted standard, and LEAF must bring to the table a driving range beyond 300km if it is to compete successfully against the dynamic duo.