The electric vehicle is 4445mm long, 1770mm wide and 1550mm tall. Power comes from an in-house developed compact electric motor in the front of the car driving the front wheels. The AC motor develops 80kW of power and 280Nm of torque, for a maximum speed of more than 140km/h (90mph).
A full battery charge delivers a range of approximately 160km, which will suffice for 80% of European customers who drive less than that on an average day, the company claimed.
The electric motor is ‘fuelled’ by a Nissan developed laminated lithium-ion battery with a power output of more than 90kW. The 48 module battery is mounted under the seats and floor of Leaf.
Using a DC 50kW quick charger, the battery can be charged to up to 80% of its capacity in under 30 minutes, Nissan said.
Order books will open in selected European markets in the summer with the first batch of cars, all left-hand drive and due in late 2010
