by New Nissan Leaf: Transition to a crossover design
Two prototypes of the next-generation Nissan Leaf were spotted during testing in the Czech Republic. The electric vehicle will feature a crossover body with a sloping roofline, modern LED headlights, and will only be available in a front-wheel-drive version. The announced range will exceed 300 miles (482 km).
The test samples were recorded in Prague, fully camouflaged. Initially, the headlight design was confusing, but upon closer inspection, it became clear that it was just black tape masking the actual appearance. The round emblem on the grille and futuristic 19-inch alloy wheels confirmed that this was indeed the new Leaf.
«The third generation of the Nissan Leaf breaks away from the hatchback silhouette of its predecessors, adopting a crossover body with a sloping roofline.»
Technical features and platform
The model will be built on the AmpR Medium platform, which is a modified version of the CMF-EV architecture used in the Nissan Ariya and some Renault models. The Leaf will feature a front electric motor but without an all-wheel-drive option. An important innovation will be support for Tesla Supercharger stations thanks to the NACS connector.
The car is expected to debut in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. The exact presentation date is still unknown, but it will likely happen by the end of 2023.
The new Leaf could be a significant step for Nissan as it seeks to strengthen its position in the electric vehicle market. The increased range and access to the Supercharger network may make it more attractive to buyers, especially in regions with developed charging infrastructure. However, the lack of an all-wheel-drive version may limit its popularity in some segments.
