Nissan LEAF makes PH debut featuring range of up to 311 km  

Want to reduce your carbon footprint drastically? Well, one solution to that is to get the Nissan LEAF. It has finally arrived on Philippine shores and is now available at the Nissan Mantrade dealership, Nissan Otis, and Nissan Cebu South.  

The 2021 Nissan LEAF

So, what’s the LEAF like inside and out? Well, the first clue can be seen from its name, which is actually an acronym that stands for: “Leading, Environmentally-friendly, Affordable Family vehicle. It is Nissan’s best-selling electric car model, and it directly rivals the likes of the Toyota Prius. If you want to learn more about the Philippine-spec LEAF’s specs however, read on. 

Exterior 

In terms of looks, the LEAF for the Philippine market looks identical to the global model that’s currently being sold in Japan, the United States, and Europe. Of note, the electronic-powered hatchback is now in its second generation so it looks quite modern with its sharp headlamps and well-proportioned dimensions.  

Size-wise, it's no larger than your run-of-the-mill compact car. It has a length of 4,480mm, a width of 1,790mm, and a height of 1,540mm. It also has a wheelbase of 1,540mm, and a ground clearance of 155mm.  

The LEAF EV from the rear

For exterior equipment, the Nissan LEAF comes equipped with halogen headlamps with LED daytime running lights. It also has front fog lamps and a rear fog lamp, rain-sensing wipers, electronically adjustable and foldable front mirrors, and a rear wiper. For a bit of style, the Nissan-made electric vehicle (EV) also comes with chrome-colored exterior door handles. The V-motion grille on the front is coated in chrome as well. Lastly, the LEAF rides on a set of 16-inch alloy wheels, wrapped with 205/55R16 tires. 

Interior 

Like a regular compact car, the Nissan LEAF provides ample space for up to five occupants including the driver. To keep its passengers comfortable, it features an automatic climate control system, and fabric-clad seats. 

The LEAF EV's cockpit

For the driver, the Nissan model provides a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment, a push to start button, and a multi-information meter. 

Tech and Safety 

Like most EVs in the market, the Nissan LEAF is packed with tech. For starters, it comes standard with a 360-degree view camera that can detect moving objects. It also has a driver attention alert system that warns one of the things moving in the car’s blind spots, rear end, and whenever you’re departing a lane.  

The Nissan-made EV's touchscreen

Moreover, it has a hill-start assist, vehicle dynamic control, and anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution. On the more passive side, the Nissan-made EV comes with a total of six airbags. 

Last but not the least, the Nissan LEAF gets an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This headunit is then attached to six speakers. 

Engine 

Propelling the Nissan LEAF EV is an electric motor capable of making up to 150 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a single-speed gear reduction system which instead of switching to gears, it adjusts the RPMs of the electric motor. To this end, you don’t have to worry about gear ratios, and clutch wear and tear.  

The LEAF's electric motor

For batteries, the Nissan-made EV uses a 40-kWh lithium-ion pack with a 311-kilometer range. This can be charged with your bog-standard wall outlet, and doing so will fill it up fully in 15 to 18 hours. However, a quick charging station cuts down the LEAF’s charging time down to just 40 minutes to an hour. 

Another interesting part about the LEAF’s powertrain is that it can be controlled with the accelerator pedal only. This is dubbed as the e-Pedal, and it can handle accelerating, decelerating, and stopping to a stand-still. Sure, the LEAF still has a brake pedal, but if you release the accelerator, the car will slow down and hold its position as if you’re applying the brakes. This makes for a less tiring drive on heavy traffic since the driver would no longer need to swing and shuffle around his/her foot all the time. 

No lever-type shifter here folks, only a drive selector

Of note, the Nissan LEAF also comes with an eight-year battery warranty or 160,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. The car itself also gets a three-year or 100,000-kilometer warranty. Also, Nissan claims that the running costs of the LEAF just boils down to an average of Php 1.17 per kilometer, which is lower than the usual Php 2.08 per kilometer of an internal combustion gasoline car. 

Pricing 

As for pricing, the Nissan LEAF EV has a price tag of Php 2,798,000. Apart from the dealerships mentioned earlier, Nissan Matina, Nissan Tagum, Nissan Bonifacio Global City, and Nissan Manila Bay will also carry the LEAF at a later date.  

Available colors for the 2021 Nissan LEAF with the two-tone blacked-out roof include Pearl White, Vivid Blue, Gun Metallic, and Magnetic Red.  

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