Nissan is finally getting ready to unveil the all-new third-generation Leaf, with a heavily camouflaged prototype making its spy debut in Europe. The EV pioneer will go through a transformation, abandoning the rather conservative hatchback body style of its predecessors for a more fashionable SUV Coupe body. The original Nissan Leaf was unveiled in 2009, as the first mass-produced fully electric vehicle, with the second generation following in 2017. Fast forward to the present, there are EV offerings from almost every automaker, with modern tech and design features. As a result, what once was an EV pioneer, now looks and feels outdated compared to newer rivals. Nissan vows to change that with the new generation, which will be a clean-sheet design. This means the new Leaf will morph into a crossover, a move that was previewed by the 2021 Nissan Chill-Out Concept.
The test car, spotted on public roads,
appears to have a compact footprint with a short hood and a sloping roofline.
The LED graphics on the taillights are heavily inspired by the concept, while
the headlights are covered under the camouflage wrap. Other visible details
include the futuristic alloy wheels, the integrated rear door handles to the
C-pillar, and the spoiler at the back. The new generation will also ride on a
new platform. The compact EV from Nissan will share the CMF-EV underpinnings
with the larger Ariya, alongside the Renault Megane/Scenic E-Tech, and the
upcoming Alpine A390.
The platform is compatible with single and
dual electric motor setups, potentially making the new Leaf significantly more
powerful compared to its predecessor. Furthermore, a more efficient battery
pack is expected to provide the Leaf with a 25 percent longer range, close to 426 km between charges.
According to the latest reports, the 2026
Nissan Leaf is expected to enter production in March 2025, although the global
debut could happen earlier than that. The EV will be manufactured in Nissan’s
UK plant in Sunderland, currently the home of the Juke and Qashqai SUVs.
