TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Nissan to preview next LEAF

Nissan has released a teaser image of its headline act at this week's Tokyo motor show and we understand it previews the second generation of its global electric car, the LEAF.

No details of the vehicle you see here were released alongside this teaser image over the weekend, with the company describing the concept car only as “Nissan’s future vision of car intelligence and electrification”.

That confirms the as-yet-unnamed concept will highlight the Japanese car-maker's future autonomous vehicle technology and latest generation of battery-electric technology.

However, it's believed the show car – seen here in a single, moody teaser shot – also points to the styling of the next LEAF, which is due by 2017 and expected to spawn a family of models under an expanded LEAF sub-brand.

If so, the chunky wheel-arches and wild arrow-shaped LED running lights of the concept -- which like the current LEAF appears to be a hatchback -- should carry over to the MkII LEAF production car.

Nissan has already announced a mild facelift for the MY16 LEAF in Europe, powered by a more powerful 30kWh battery providing a longer 250km driving range -- up from 170km.

Weighing 21kg more but featuring new carbon, nitrogen and magnesium electrodes that improve the battery cell's performance, selected versions of Europe's upgraded LEAF will also bring Nissan’s latest 7.0-inch infotainment system.

To be available alongside the current 24kWh LEAF, the more powerful 30kWh pure-electric hatch goes on sale in Europe this December and is expected to become available globally next year.

As we've reported, the next-generation LEAF II is expected to offer a driving range of up to 400km, while Nissan will also use this year's Tokyo show to unveil the 2020 Vision Gran Turismo, Gripz and Teatro for Dayz concept cars.

While the gob-smacking 2020 Vision GT show car potentially provides the first in-the-metal preview of Nissan's next-generation GT-R supercar, the Gripz could hint at an all-new hyper-SUV that may replace the 370Z sports car as Nissan's new-generation Z-car.

Meantime, the curiously dubbed Teatro for Dayz -- a name that blends the Italian word for theatre (teatro) and a current Nissan mini-car – is an all-electric concept designed not so much for driving but for 'share natives' interested in creating, connecting and sharing.

Essentially an iPhone on wheels, Teatro for Dayz’s boxy, floating-roof design, zero-emissions powertrain and state-of-the-art connectivity is Nissan’s solution to attracting the connectivity-obsessed post-Gen Y youth back into cars.

Watch this space on October 28 for more details on Nissan's home show wares.