Fans of Japanese performance will know the name
Nismo as Nissan’s in-house tuning and racing division. It’s offered enhanced
versions of the GT-R, 370Z, Juke, Micra/March, Versa/Note, and a handful of
others. And now it’s adding the all-electric Leaf to its stable.
Nissan has now revealed the production Leaf Nismo that’s soon to go on sale in Japan. And while it doesn’t encompass any powertrain enhancements
to speak of, it does offer an array of visual and handling upgrades.
Not the least of them is an ECU recalibrated for
better acceleration response. It also features a retuned suspension with
18-inch alloys with grippier tires, reworked electric power-steering system, and
aerodynamic enhancements to offer increased downforce without compromising the
Leaf’s slippery drag coefficient.
Other upgrades include new bumpers (front and rear),
a new grille, LED daytime running lights, and a smattering of Nismo emblems
inside and out. The interior’s also been enhanced with a sportier steering
wheel, wrapped in Alcantara and leather with a red center mark. The shifter,
instruments, upholstery, and other trim are also unique to the Nismo model.
For better or worse, Nissan says it has “no plans to
bring the LEAF NISMO to markets other than Japan,” so don’t go asking your
local dealer (anywhere else in the world) for the performance-tuned EV or
you’re liable to be laughed out of the showroom. But the Nismo model may help
the Japanese automaker move more of the electric vehicles in its home market
and help it achieve its stated goal of selling a million electrified models
around the world each year by 2022.