2012 Nissan LEAF Press Kit: At a Glance
Now entering its second year of production, the 2012 Nissan LEAF™ is again leading the drive into the “no gas, no tailpipe” zero-emission era. Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that seats five adults comfortably and has a range of 100 miles (U.S. LA4 cycle) on one full charge to satisfy real-world consumer requirements.
Nissan LEAF was named “2011 World Car of the Year,” edging out the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A8 for the top spot. The award is just one of a string of accolades for the vehicle, which was also named “2011 European Car of the Year.”
Enhancements for the 2012 model year include the addition of a standard battery heater, heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, heated outside mirrors and rear HVAC duct on all models. Also, a Quick Charge Port is now standard on the LEAF SL.
The Nissan LEAF is powered by a lithium-ion battery composed of 48 compact modules and a high-response 80kW AC synchronous motor that generates 107 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, providing a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience that is in keeping with what consumers have come to expect from traditional, gasoline-powered vehicles. Unlike internal-combustion engine-equipped vehicles, LEAF’s powertrain has no tailpipe and thus no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse gases while being driven.
The Nissan LEAF can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity in 30 minutes when equipped with a quick charge port and using a DC fast charger. Charging at home through a 220V outlet is estimated to take approximately seven hours. The advanced lithium-ion battery pack carries an industry-competitive warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles.
The Nissan LEAF’s distinctive exterior styling is characterized by sharp, upright V-shaped design featuring long, up-slanting LED headlights with a blue internal reflective appearance. The headlights split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, reducing wind noise and drag. The headlights consume about 50 percent of the electricity of conventional halogen headlights.
The exterior also utilizes a standard rear spoiler, flat underbody with rear diffuser and aerodynamically shaped LED taillights. The charging port is hidden under a small door located in the front of the vehicle. The 5-door hatchback design also features chrome door handles, aerodynamic outside mirrors and a large greenhouse to provide a bright interior environment. Attractive 5-spoke 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels mounted with P205/55R16 Bridgestone Ecopia tires are standard.
Five exterior colors are available for 2012: Glacier Pearl, Blue Ocean, Brilliant Silver, Super Black and Cayenne Red.
Nissan LEAF drivers are able to use web-enabled mobile phones to turn on air conditioning and set charging functions remotely, even when the vehicle is powered down. An on-board remote-controlled timer can also be programmed to start the charging event.
The digital instrument panel includes a speedometer, battery temperature gauge, power meter, remaining energy gauge, capacity level gauge, distance to empty display and Eco indicator. The standard monitor also displays “reachable area,” as well as showing a selection of nearby charging stations. A Nissan Navigation System, XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately) and Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System are standard. A RearView Monitor and HomeLink® Universal Transceiver are standard on LEAF SL models.
Nissan LEAF has earned a 5-star overall vehicle rating for safety as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). It is the first fully electric vehicle to earn this highest distinction from the program. Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA introduced tougher tests and requirements in order to earn 5-star ratings. Nissan LEAF has also been named a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Nissan LEAF safety systems include six air bags, 4-wheel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS).
The 2012 Nissan LEAF is offered in two well-equipped models, the LEAF SV and LEAF SL. The LEAF SL includes a photovoltaic solar panel spoiler that supports charging of the 12-volt battery for car accessories, fog lights, auto on/off headlights, RearView Monitor, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, cargo cover and Quick Charge Port.
Highlights of the 2012 Nissan LEAF include:
Body
- Body designed for aerodynamic efficiency
- 106.3-inch wheelbase, 175.0-inch overall length, 69.7-inch width, 61.0-inch height
- Standard rear spoiler, flat underbody with rear diffuser
- Aerodynamically shaped LED headlights designed to help reduce drag and wind noise
- Slim-type aerodynamic LED taillights
- Available automatic on/off headlights (standard on SL)
- Body-color front and rear bumpers
- Charge ports located above front grille
- Portable trickle charge cable (120V)
- Available photovoltaic solar panel spoiler (standard on SL)
- Available fog lights (standard on SL)
- Dual power remote-controlled heated outside mirrors
- Chrome outside door handles
- Fixed vortex-shedding roof antenna
- Five available exterior colors: Glacier Pearl, Blue Ocean, Brilliant Silver, Super Black and Cayenne Red
Motor and Driveline
- Front motor/front-wheel drive
- Single speed gear reducer
- Battery housed in the floor for optimum vehicle packaging and weight distribution
- AESC (Automotive Energy Supply Corporation) laminated lithium-ion battery with 48 compact 4-cell modules
- Standard EV-IT system
- High-response 80kW AC synchronous motor
- Laminated 24 kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery
- 3.3 kW onboard charger
- 107 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque
- Range: 100 miles/charge based upon US EPA LA4 City cycle conducted in laboratory tests. (Battery capacity decreases with time and use. Actual range will vary depending upon driving/charging habits, speed, conditions, weather, temperature, and battery age.)
- Standard Quick Charge Port on LEAF SL models (allows charging to 80% capacity in 30 minutes at public charging stations)
- Shift-by-wire drive selector
- Standard battery heater
Suspension, Steering and Braking
- Independent strut front suspension with stabilizer bar
- Torsion beam rear suspension with integrated stabilizer bar
- Vehicle-speed-sensitive electric power steering
- Regenerative braking system, allowing LEAF to produce its own electric energy for storage in its battery
- Power-assisted front vented disc/solid rear disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)
- 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P205/55R16 Bridgestone Ecopia tires
- Tire Repair Kit
Interior Features
- Modern interior design with “floating” piano black C-stack
- 5-passenger seating capacity
- 6-way manual driver’s seat, 4-way manual front passenger’s seat
- Seat fabric partially made with recycled materials
- Heated front and rear seats
- 60/40-split folding rear seat
- Heated steering wheel
- Rear HVAC duct
- Front door map pockets, passenger seat map pockets
- High quality gauges with unique EV-IT design for intuitive communication with driver
- Digital gauges: Speedometer, battery temperature, power meter, remaining energy gauge, capacity level gauge, distance to empty display, Eco indicator, outside temperature gauge
- Standard trip computer (instant and average energy consumption, driving time, outside temperature and autonomy range)
- Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)
- Center console storage
- Palm shifter, electric parking brake
- AM/FM/CD with MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback capability and 6 speakers
- Auxiliary input jack and USB Connection Port for iPod® and other compatible devices
- Standard Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Start
- Power windows with driver’s window one-touch auto up/down
- Power door locks with auto locking feature
- Remote charge door release
- Two cupholders (front center console), two bottle holders (door panels)
- Illuminated glove compartment
- Variable intermittent windshield wipers
- 12-volt power outlet
- Standard Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System
- Standard Nissan Navigation System
- Standard CARWINGS telematics (no charge for 36 months), allowing for remote connection to vehicle – monitor battery state of charge/charging status, start charging event, turn on HVAC system
- Standard XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately)
- Standard Roadside Assistance program (no charge for 36 months)
- Available HomeLink® Universal Transceiver (standard on SL)
- Available RearView Monitor (standard on SL)
- Front and rear assist grips
- Floor and trunk carpeting
- Available cargo cover (standard on SL)
- Light Gray interior color
Safety and Security
- Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor
- Front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags
- Roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection
- 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver’s seat ELR only) with pretensioners and load limiters
- Child seat upper tether anchor
- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system
- Child safety rear door locks
- Energy-absorbing steering column
- Zone Body construction with front rear crumple zones
- Side door guard beams
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System
- Vehicle Security System (VSS)
Models and Manufacturing
- Offered as two well-equipped models: Nissan LEAF SV and Nissan LEAF SL
- Assembled by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd in Oppama, Japan; lithium-ion batteries produced in Zama, Japan