Nissan Juke - Irish Car of the year Nissan Leaf - European car of the year

Lord Trollington

Great achievement for Nissan with the Leaf coming to the Irish market in early 2011 and the Juke already launched last month.

The first Japanese car to win European car of the year was the Nissan Micra in 1993, I wonder will the leaf go on to be as sucessful as the Micra?

Max_Damage

€35k for a washing machine on wheels? I'll pass.

Lord Trollington

Max_Damage wrote: »

€35k for a washing machine on wheels? I'll pass.

You've never driven it, so is that an informed opinion or one looking for thanks?

Also it retails at €30k.

mailforkev

Actually just saw my first Leaf this morning outside Windsor Motors in Deansgrange.

Had a plug going into the front of it from the showroom, they must be keeping it warmed up in the snow and ice.

Not great looking at all, I had decided to wait until I saw it in person to decide and unfortunately it looks just as dumpy as in photos.

Lord Trollington

What use would there be in creating a 100% electric car that looks like a Focus or Golf?

The styling on it is around aero dynamics and getting the best mileage from a full charge.

You really should drive it mailforkev, it is without doubt fantastic to drive, something you should experience even if you dont purchase or even consider purchasing.

You have instant power and torque on pressing the accelarator, unlike waiting for the power in conventional petrol and diesel engines.

Leonard Hofstadter

I thought the Irish Car of the Year Award choice was bad.

Clearly I was mistaken!

€35k for what is quite literally a domestic appliance on wheels that has a range of 100 miles on a good day and takes several hours to 'fill up' before you can use it again.

This really does mark the end of the road for anyone that is even slightly interested in cars:mad:!

Lord Trollington

Again for the second time the car retails at €30,000.

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

The leaf is not for everyone and it wont suit everyone either.

But what it is is a step in the direction towards getting away from petrol and diesel powered cars.

I'm going to go through the some points on it so that there is no confusion, as there is already some misconceptions.

It retails at €30,000. The price includes the cost of the battery.
Road tax at the moment is €104 and there is talks ongoing to get it Tax free.

At the moment a full charge will get you 100miles, you may get further around town as braking will recharge the battery also.

Quick charging points will be located around Ireland where you will get a 80% battery charge in 25-30 minutes. These will be located around, town parking bays, shopping centres ect.

A full charge will take 8-12hours, these are intended for overnight charging at your home when the electricity grid is not under as much pressure and is cheaper.

The car will communicate with you via Mobile phone to tell you its current charging level.
You can also start the car from you mobile in the mornings to have it "warmed up" prior to driving.

The ESB will provide free outside charging docks for the first 2000 customers and will fit them at the house free of charge.

Millions of Euro's has gone into the developing of this vehicle, and after just winning the European car of the year
its clearly more than a "washing machine or an electrical appliance on wheels".

I would urge the doubters to drive it prior to making a judgement on the vehicle, genuinely you will be pleasently surprised.
And whilst it may not be for you, I'm sure you'll agree its a fantastic car.