Nissan LEAF NISMO goes on sale in Japan

Nissan has released details of the LEAF NISMO, which will go on sale in Japan on July 31.

Developed by the Japanese car-maker's high-performance division, NISMO, the changes on the battery-powered coupe are less substantial compared with the tuner's wild GT-R and 370Z NISMO creations.

The LEAF NISMO has been slated as a Japanese proposition only at this stage, with Nissan Australia keeping its own focus firmly fixed on the regular second-generation LEAF, which will land in showrooms in the first quarter of 2019.

"While we consider all new models and variants for the Australian market, our focus is on preparing for the arrival of the second-generation LEAF before the end of the current fiscal year," a spokeswoman for Nissan Australia said.

Despite wearing the NISMO name, the LEAF hatch misses out on a power upgrade and comes with the same front-mounted electric motor that generates 110kW/320Nm.

What NISMO engineers have done is tweaked the zero-emissions hatchback's software to give it a sharper throttle, although there's no claim for an improved 0-100km/h time over the standard car's eight seconds.

Next NISMO engineers concentrated on improving the LEAF's handling with a new suspension set-up. There's no word on whether the springs were stiffened but NISMO says it added a set of custom-made dampers that are claimed to improve cornering while still providing a comfortable ride on its 18-inch rims.

Capitalising on the sports suspension, is the LEAF ditches its energy-saving rubber for a set of Continental ContiSport Contact 5 tyres.

Finally, NISMO retuned the electric power steering software for better feel and stability at high speeds.

Both the anti-lock braking and electronic stability control systems were also remapped to suit the new chassis suspension tune.

Externally, the LEAF NISMO is said to have spent some time in the wind tunnel and engineers claim there's been an improvement in downforce without any pay-off in drag.

Those 18-inch wheels are also more aerodynamic than other off-the-shelf rims.

Inside, there are plenty of NISMO's trademark red accents, including the three-spoke steering wheel that now comes with a motorsport-inspired red centre mark.

Finally, there's a faux carbon-fibre finish for the instrument panel and a gun-metal chrome electronic gear shifter.

Originally, it was hoped that NISMO and the pure-electric LEAF would be an irresistible combination for enthusiasts following the wild LEAF race car revealed back in 2011.

A faster LEAF may still come, following rumours of a long-range LEAF E-Plus that's said to go on sale globally in 2019.

Claimed to introduce a more energy-dense 60kWh battery in place of the standard car's 40kWh lithium-ion battery, the E-Plus is rumoured to not only have a range of 350-400km but get a more powerful electric motor with around 150kW.

It's not known if the E-Plus will also get the NISMO treatment but it should be able to hit 100km/h comfortably in less than seven seconds.