Nissan will reportedly start production of a tuned version of the Leaf, the Nissan Leaf Nismo.
According to Autocar, Nissan will head down the assembly line in Japan this summer, but the Nissan Leaf Nismo will be sold only in the Japanese market.
The Nissan Leaf Nismo was previewed the at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
Central to the Leaf Nismo is the stylish body kit, which gives Leaf a purposeful new look. But the modifications have been made with more than just fashion in mind – they play a significant aerodynamic role, generating extra downforce at speed to enhance Leaf’s handling and grip.
The major elements of the kit are the front aero bumper, rear under protector, rear diffuser, extended side sills and 18-inch alloy wheels. The front bumper incorporates LED lighting which is arranged transversely to accentuate a sense of motion.
Nismo has left Leaf’s electric drivetrain untouched. One of the features of the potent 80kW AC motor is the instant supply of full torque (280Nm)… and that provides acceleration that is genuinely electrifying. It reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 7 seconds and can sprint on to a top speed of 145 km/h (90 mph).
