The range-topping
version of Nissan’s popular electric compact hatchback, the 2019 Nissan Leaf
e+, is now available in the United Kingdom in the Tekna grade, priced from
£ 35,895 (including the £ 3,500 Government
Grant). The biggest change compared to the lineup is the larger battery, which
has a 62 kWh capacity.
The lithium-ion
pack provides a WLTP-rated range of up to 385 km (239 miles) and can be fully
charged from a 6.6 kW, 32A wall box in 11.3 hours. From 20 to 80 percent, it
needs about one and a half hours, using the 50 kW rapid charger.
The addition of a
bigger battery has allowed Nissan’s engineers to upgrade the electric motor
too. Thus, the Leaf e+ now has a total output of 214 HP and
340 Nm of torque and the 0-100 km/h acceleration is very
decent for an electric car in this price range, taking just 6.9 seconds, while
top speed is 158 km/h. Thanks to clever packaging, boot space is
actually better than what you’d get in a five-door Golf, at 405 liters versus
to the VW’s 380 (14.3 vs 13.4 cu-ft).
Like all new Leafs,
the e+ gets the NissanConnect infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen
display as standard. Users will enjoy Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone
connectivity, upgraded navigation systems, in-built Online Map Update and
Chargers Location functionality. They will also be able to pre-heat or pre-cool
the interior, as well as send navigation routes to the vehicle, using the
dedicated app. The app can also be used to see whether the Leaf e+ is still
plugged to the charging port and check out an analysis on trips and driving
styles.
Another standard
feature is the ProPilot semi-autonomous driving. The ‘hand-on, eyes-on system’
allows the car to control the throttle, braking and steering on its own in
certain conditions such as congested traffic and high-speed highway cruising.
