New Nissan Leaf

littletiger

I drove the new Nissan Leaf yesterday in Kilkenny.

I didn't want to be, but I was pretty impressed.
107bhp and great torque. high spec as standard.

The car is expensive though

Max_Damage

Meh, it's a washing machine on wheels.

Stevie Dakota

Why must these new technologies always be wrapped is such awkward cloths? I appreciate what the designers are aiming for, the car must look like no other and the exterior must brand the technology (Prius) but cannot they also be good looking at the same time?

At 30 grand for a hatchback you would want to be off your rocker though.

littletiger

31k delivered with metalic paint

Similar size to a Focus inside except that the boot is very small.

The front lights look a little weird but it is something to do with the aerodynamics.

af_thefragile

Its a glorified Micra...

littletiger

af_thefragile wrote: »

Its a glorified Micra...

Does look like one from the front alright.

Mr. Presentable

They'd have some hope if it was 30% of the price. My big problem with elecars is that you can't fill up in five minutes after doing 500 k.

Drummerboy08

af_thefragile wrote: »

Its a glorified Micra...

Don't knock it till you've tried it.

Mr. Presentable wrote: »

They'd have some hope if it was 30% of the price. My big problem with elecars is that you can't fill up in five minutes after doing 500 k.

It is a tad on the expensive side. I think in the next 6-9 months we'll see a price decrease, and a few more of these cars on the market.

On the fuel point, its designed for low mileage drivers. The idea is to charge it overnight so its fully charged the next day.

littletiger wrote: »

I drove the new Nissan Leaf yesterday in Kilkenny.

I didn't want to be, but I was pretty impressed.
107bhp and great torque. high spec as standard.

The car is expensive though

I was pleasantly surprised too. Its great having all the power when you want it, and most speeds.

Max_Damage wrote: »

Meh, it's a washing machine on wheels.

As above, unless you've driven it, don't knock it!

Me personally, I just cannot understand why Nissan/Mitsubitshi/Renault/Whoever else cannot simply design a normal looking car (Focus or Qashqai) comes to mind. For example, if the upcoming Juke was fitted with an electric drivetrain, I think it wouls sell much better.

I for one am all for this green eco sh!te, but I dont want to look wierd while doing it.

Donne

I personally doubt the ability of this country to supply the fast charge capability needed for a long haul off the beaten track journey for this all electric car. But I'd be happy to be surprised.

Also, apart from the fact you’re paying for the development costs of a 1st generational model, the electricity generated here, mostly of the carbon burning type, is not going to be so environment friendly.

Holding off for a couple of years before buying this kind of car would, I think, be a good idea.

Pkiernan

Remeber how 10 MHz computers used to cost £3000 when they came out here 20 years ago?

E-Cars will come down if they can be mass produced.

I for one hope they will be.

mike65

If you crash on a test drive can it be said you have turned over a new leaf?

























/runs :pac:

Absurdum

mike65 wrote: »

If you crash on a test drive can it be said you have turned over a new leaf?

immediate lifetime ban

jock101

40ish grand for a super mini, micra looking thing! I think I'll wait another 5 years or so! Until they perfect it!

Drummerboy08

jock101 wrote: »

40ish grand for a super mini, micra looking thing! I think I'll wait another 5 years or so! Until they perfect it!

30ish grand. Don't be overdoing it now...;) Its bigger than a Focus or Golf on the road too.

jock101

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

30ish grand. Don't be overdoing it now...;) Its bigger than a Focus or Golf on the road too.

Doesnt look bigger then a Focus or Golf. The last time I heard from a Nissan marketeer, it was 35ish grand after the 2k VRT rebate, but not including the ex works expenses? So until they go on sale offically, we have to wait and see. I wont be an early adaptor!:D

Drummerboy08

jock101 wrote: »

Doesnt look bigger then a Focus or Golf. The last time I heard from a Nissan marketeer, it was 35ish grand after the 2k VRT rebate, but not including the ex works expenses? So until they go on sale offically, we have to wait and see. I wont be an early adaptor!:D

They are on sale officially. The list price is 29995 after VRT rebate.

jock101

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

They are on sale officially. The list price is 29995 after VRT rebate.

I saw that on one site and 35k on another. So again we see when its launched? Also there is an extra 1k for extras and another 2k for a charging station at your home! Not to mention what the battery rental scheme will be? I'll wait for Hydrogen or Mr. Fusion that was on the Delorean!:):):D

Drummerboy08

jock101 wrote: »

I saw that on one site and 35k on another. So again we see when its launched? Also there is an extra 1k for extras and another 2k for a charging station at your home! Not to mention what the battery rental scheme will be? I'll wait for Hydrogen or Mr. Fusion that was on the Delorean!:):):D

Its 29995, for the second time. The charging point is free for the first 2000 customers. There is no charge for the batteries.

I dont know what extra 1k you are talking about.

http://www.windsor.ie/blog.aspx#114

Now, any other questions?

jock101

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Its 29995, for the second time. The charging point is free for the first 2000 customers. There is no charge for the batteries.

I dont know what extra 1k you are talking about.

http://www.windsor.ie/blog.aspx#114

Now, any other questions?

Mmm:rolleyes: heard this kind of Guff before!:rolleyes:

No thanks, I'll stick with hydro carbons for another few years!

Drummerboy08

jock101 wrote: »

Mmm:rolleyes: heard this kind of Guff before!:rolleyes:

No thanks, I'll stick with hydro carbons for another few years!

Good man.

Donne

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

They are on sale officially. The list price is 29995 after VRT rebate.

They're available for test drive in Windsor Motors, but they won't be going on sale until Jan. or Feb. 2011.

Drummerboy08

Donne wrote: »

They're available for test drive in Windsor Motors, but they won't be going on sale until Jan. or Feb. 2011.

They can be ordered now. There is a lead time of 5 months, which means a delivery date of Feb 2011.

Guy:Incognito

jock101 wrote: »

Mmm:rolleyes: heard this kind of Guff before!:rolleyes:
!

What kind of guff? Official price lists

"Retail price of €29,995 - €34,995 Less Government grant of €5,000 - Retail price quoted includes battery but excludes metallic paint and dealer related delivery charges"

http://www.nissan.ie/NissanLeaf/BuyingALeaf/PricingAndRunningCosts.aspx

RedorDead

Leaf is already looking dated.


Audi A2 EV: Beats Nissan Leaf by 250 miles

The Nissan Leaf is said to have a range of over 100 miles, but there is another electric vehicle that puts this to shame, the Audi A2 EV. The German equivalent has just beaten the record for the most miles covered by an EV car on just one charge.

The Audi A2 managed to travel 372-mile (600-km); the journey took 7 hours. The driver did not try to conserve energy either; he had the heater going and still managed to finish the test with some power to spare. This will certainly give Nissan something to think about.

According to UPI, the Audi A2 EV uses a new technology called “DBM Energy’s KOLIBRI AlphaPolymer Technology” these batteries are said to be 97 percent efficient, and can be charged just by using any socket. If you do plug it into a high DC voltage source, then your A2 will be fully charged and ready to go in just six minutes – only wish my iPhone was that quick.

Mirko Hannemann, the inventor of the new batteries said that he hopes to compete with the Asian market, and with backing from the German government, it will not be long before he does so.

From here:

http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/10/27/audi-a2-ev-beats-nissan-leaf-by-250-miles/

Zubeneschamali

RedorDead wrote: »

Leaf is already looking dated.

I'm sure the electric A2 will be better than the Leaf when it goes on sale in 5 years or whatever, just as a Nissan from 2015 will be better than todays.

Conor20

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Why must these new technologies always be wrapped is such awkward cloths? I appreciate what the designers are aiming for, the car must look like no other and the exterior must brand the technology (Prius) but cannot they also be good looking at the same time?

The Renault Fluence EV looks very nice:


Here are the specs. They don't mention it on the Renault site but I think it will be on sale from February.

Donne wrote: »

.. the electricity generated here, mostly of the carbon burning type, is not going to be so environment friendly.

Still not environmentally friendly, but more so than internal combustion engines, even allowing for the manufacture of the batteries. Most of Ireland's electricity comes from gas turbine power plants which have efficiencies of about 70-75%. Transmission losses are about 5% so you end up with 65-70% of the energy from the gas driving the car. IC engines have efficiencies of about 30%. So even if wind (which further decreases the effective emissions of EVs) is not counted, EVs result in a lot less fossil fuels being burned (and a lower energy import bill for the country).

Conor.

RandomAccess

I, for one welcome our new electric overlords... just not this one cos its fugly and its first gen.

The bods at Nissan must be hoping that the glowing/gloating sense of self worth can compensate for the fact that they left the prototype beside their mammys super ser the day it was being measured for production.

I think electric cars will be pretty nifty and they will rocket in popularity now that they aren't death traps like the gee-whiz, but I have 0% interest in driving an eco styled wagon of any variety and thats not because I wish to destroy our blue globe, because I recycle and energy save with gusto.

When they make a regular car I will drive one. And when they make a GTi style one I will probably buy it. Then I'll log onto overclockers.co.uk and get my soldering iron out.

Note: 'they' does not necessarily constitute Nissan, as they are purveyors of automotive drivel for the most part.

_Conrad_

if i come into a spare 30 grand i'll buy one.... and destroy it