Nissan today announced U.S. pricing for the 2016 Nissan LEAF, which goes on sale soon at LEAF Certified Nissan dealers nationwide. For 2016, the all-electric LEAF is available with a 30 kWh battery that provides an EPA-rated range of 107 miles – a 27 percent increase over the previous 24 kWh battery.
The new battery is standard for LEAF SV and LEAF SL models. The 2016 model also offers an enhanced IT system that is more user-friendly and gives drivers greater vehicle connectivity.
The 2016 Nissan LEAF has a starting price of $26,700 after the federal tax credit of $7,500 for the SV model and $29,290 for LEAF SL after the federal tax credit. LEAF S models continue to be equipped with a 24 kWh battery with an EPA-rated range of 84 miles. Starting price for 2016 Nissan LEAF S grade remains $21,510 after the federal tax incentive.
Along with the new battery, other enhancements for the 2016 model year include standard NissanConnect with Mobile Apps with 5.0-inch color display for LEAF S models. LEAF SV and SL grades add NissanConnect with Navigation and Mobile Apps, featuring a 7.0-inch color display with multi-touch control and Nissan Voice Recognition.
The NissanConnect EV system (no-charge subscription required), also standard on SV and SL grades, allows remote connection to the vehicle, providing monitoring of battery state-of-charge, start charging event control and turning on the heating and air conditioning system prior to entering the vehicle.
The 2016 model also offers three new premium-look exterior colors: Forged Bronze, Coulis Red and Deep Blue Pearl (eight colors total).
All LEAF models feature an 80kW AC synchronous motor that generates 107 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque, providing a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience that consumers often expect from traditional, gasoline-powered vehicles. Unlike internal combustion engine-equipped vehicles, LEAF has no tailpipe, which means there is no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse gases.
The 2016 Nissan LEAF
Since LEAF launched in December 2010, Nissan has become the global leader in electric vehicle (EV) sales with an all-electric car specifically designed for the mass market. To maintain that leadership, the company is continuously developing battery technology that strikes that ideal balance between capacity, packaging, durability and affordability.
The bestselling 100-percent electric vehicle in the United States – and the world –takes a big leap forward for 2016, becoming the first affordable all-electric car to offer more than 100 miles of EPA-rated range on a single charge.
Now standard on all 2016 Nissan LEAF SV and LEAF SL models, the new 30 kWh battery provides an EPA-rated 107-mile driving range on a fully charged battery. LEAF S models come with a 24 kWh battery rated at 84 miles on a full charge, giving buyers a choice in affordability and range.
In addition, the new battery offers improved charging performance. The battery in LEAF SV and SL can be quick-charged to 80 percent (from the low battery charge warning) in about 30 minutes, providing about 22 percent more miles of range compared to a 30-minute quick charge on previous LEAF models. Charging on a normal home charging system (Level 2, 240V) is estimated to take about six hours.
The new 30 kWh battery design adds capacity without increasing battery package size by improving the cell structure of the laminated lithium-ion battery cells. Improved electrode material with revised chemistry results in higher power density and enhanced battery durability upon charge and discharge.
While the 24 kWh battery is composed of four cells per module (192 cells total), the new 30 kWh battery’s modules contain eight newly designed cells per module (192 cells total). Unlike conventional cylindrical batteries, the thin, compact laminated cells offer more flexibility in packaging and design applications. The 30 kWh battery weighs just 46 pounds more than the 24 kWh battery and has the same battery pack size and footprint.
The new battery is only the beginning of the enhancements to the 2016 LEAF. Audio, entertainment and connectivity upgrades start with the addition of standard NissanConnectSM with Mobile Apps with 5.0-inch color display for LEAF S models. The system includes Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, Streaming audio via Bluetooth®, Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant and USB connection port for iPod® interface and other compatible devices.
2016 LEAF SV and SL grades add standard NissanConnect with Navigation and Mobile Apps– featuring a 7.0-inch color display with multi-touch control, Nissan Voice Recognition for navigation and audio, HD radio, and SiriusXM Travel LinkTM for weather, movie listings, stock prices and sports (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately).
The menu screen graphics and customization process have been improved and charging screen information is now automatically updated every time the ignition is turned on and with every 12 miles of driving.
The NissanConnect EV system (no-charge subscription required), also standard on SV and SL grades, allows remote connection to the vehicle, providing monitoring of battery state-of-charge, start charging event control and turning on the heating and air conditioning system prior to entering the vehicle.
Other enhancements include a new graphic interface display with improved readability and improved voice recognition system performance with the new beam forming microphone and one-shot functionality. Both the LEAF owner website and mobile app have been updated with new features and a more user-friendly interface.
As in previous years, Nissan LEAF continues to offer the space and range to meet every day needs while also providing an exceptional value proposition due to zero spending on gas, lower maintenance costs and a starting price after tax incentives competitive with a comparable gas-powered car. All 2016 LEAF models include three drive modes: Normal, Eco-Mode and B-Mode.
For the lithium-ion battery pack in LEAF, Nissan offers a New Electric Vehicle Limited Warranty covering defects in materials or workmanship for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Nissan also provides a limited warranty against battery capacity loss below nine bars of capacity as shown on the vehicle’s battery capacity level gauge for the first eight years or 100,000 miles for SV and SL models, and for the first five years or 60,000 miles for S models.
The distinctive exterior styling of Nissan LEAF is characterized by sharp, upright V-shaped design featuring long, up-slanting halogen headlights. LED low beam headlights and fog lights are standard on LEAF SL models. The headlights split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, reducing wind noise and drag.
Other exterior features include standard rear spoiler, flat underbody with rear diffuser and aerodynamically shaped LED taillights. The charge port is hidden under a small door located in the front of the vehicle, with a standard light and door lock feature. The five-door hatchback design also features chrome door handles, aerodynamic outside mirrors and a large greenhouse to provide a bright interior environment. The aerodynamic design results in a low coefficient of drag of just 0.28.
Inside, the digital instrument panel includes a speedometer, battery temperature gauge, power meter, remaining energy gauge, capacity level gauge, distance-to-empty display and drive mode indicator. A percent state-of-charge display is featured in the trip computer. LEAF SV and SL models also display “reachable area,” as well as showing a selection of nearby charging stations on the navigation info screen.
All 2016 Nissan LEAF models include standard Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System and RearView Monitor. Nissan’s advanced Around View® Monitor, which helps provide a virtual 360-degree view of objects around the vehicle, is offered as part of the Premium Package for SV and SL grades. The Premium Package also includes the seven-speaker Energy Efficient Series Bose® premium audio system. Nissan LEAF safety features include six air bags, four-wheel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS).
LEAF is assembled in the United States at Nissan’s Smyrna, Tenn., assembly plant, with battery assembly taking place next door in Nissan’s battery assembly plant.
For 2016, Nissan LEAF is available in three trim levels: LEAF S, SV and SL, along with two option packages: the Charge Package (LEAF S grade only) with 6.6 kW onboard charger and Quick Charge port; and the Premium Package (LEAF SV and SL only).
