The all-new 2018 Nissan Leaf has entered production
at the company’s assembly plant in Smyrna, Tennessee ahead of its U.S. market
launch. Set to go on sale nationwide early next month, the all-new Leaf will be
priced from US$ 29,990, offering a driving range of 150 miles on a single
charge.
A 40kWh battery pack feeds a single electric motor
with 147 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. A full charge takes 16 hours via a 3kW
plug, 8 hours from a 6kW plug while the quick charging function can charge a
depleted battery to 80 percent in just 40 minutes.
Along with the 2018 Rogue, the new Nissan Leaf
offers the company’s semi-autonomous Pro-Pilot Assist technology. Other
features include Automatic Emergency Braking and the e-pedal tech, which allows
drivers to accelerate and stop using just the gas pedal.
Nissan’s Smyrna facility currently produces six
models, including the Altima, Leaf, Maxima, Pathfinder, Rogue and the Infiniti
QX60. Other factories building the new Nissan Leaf include the Oppama Plant in
Yokosuka, Japan and the company’s Sunderland factory in the UK.