Until now, we’ve not seen the sporty side of Nissan’s humble Leaf EV. The introduction of the Leaf NISMO turns over a new Nissan EV, er, leaf, and builds on the format laid down by the concept car unveiled at last year’s Tokyo auto show.
Don’t get your hopes up for too much sportiness. Like the concept car, the upcoming Leaf NISMO is primarily defined by its racy exterior details, which include aggressive front and rear fascias, wide side sills, and chunky 18-inch wheels. LED daytime running lights mounted within the front fascia, a NISMO-specific rear foglamp, and an array of red stripes complete the motif. The NISMO-fication of the model extends to its interior as well, where the driver is greeted by a leather-and-faux-suede-covered steering wheel with a red center marker and a model-specific drive selector. Red and gray seat stitching and various red and carbon-fiber-like details further reinforce the sporty nature of the Leaf NISMO.
For Sale Near You
See all results for used 2018 Nissan Leaf for sale near 60323
While Nissan is not blessing the model with additional power, the Japanese automaker notes that revisions have been made to the vehicle control module to improve the Leaf NISMO’s acceleration responses. Additional dynamic improvements include NISMO-specific shock absorbers and a set of sticky summer-rated Continental ContiSportContact 5 tires, as well as revisions to the power steering, brakes, and traction- and stability-control systems.
- Tested! 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range
- Tested! 2018 Nissan Leaf
- Nissan Leaf Research: Reviews, Pricing, Specs, and More!
Don’t plan on picking up a Nissan Leaf NISMO anytime soon, though, as a company spokesperson confirmed that Nissan has no plans to bring the car to the United States. For now, it’ll go on sale in Japan starting at the end of the month.
Despite their shared last name, Greg Fink is not related to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth's infamous Rat Fink. Both Finks, however, are known for their love of cars, car culture, and—strangely—monogrammed one-piece bathing suits. Greg's career in the media industry goes back more than a decade. His previous experience includes stints as an editor at publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, Motor1.com, and MotorTrend.
