The 2018 Nissan LEAF made its national debut at the Montreal International Auto Show, presented by five current Nissan LEAF customers and the president of Nissan Canada Inc. Pictured from left-to-right: Stéphane Tremblay, Patrice Lacombe, Benoit Finley, Martin Landry, Joni Paiva (President of Nissan Canada), Clément (Patrice Lacombe’s son) and Mario Gallant.
Montreal, QC/Mississauga, Ont. – The Nissan booth on press day at the Montreal International Auto Show saw Canadian debuts for two all-new products – the Nissan Kicks compact crossover, and the Nissan LEAF fully-electric vehicle.
The national debut of the Nissan LEAF also signifies the new electric vehicle’s imminent arrival to Canadian dealerships in February. In November of 2016, Nissan launched a pre-sale program for the 2018 Nissan LEAF, the latest itineration of the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle, which now offers 242 kilometres1 of range and advanced technology features including e-Pedal and ProPILOT Assist. Since the launch of the pre-sale program, over one thousand Canadians have put a deposit down on the 2018 Nissan LEAF, without seeing or driving it.
Unlike press conferences of years past, the president of the company, Joni Paiva, wasn’t the only person on the stage. Paiva was joined by eight current Nissan LEAF customers who pulled the cover off the 2018 Nissan LEAF – all of whom are pre-registered to own the 2018 Nissan LEAF.
“Thousands of LEAF customers around the world have provided feedback on the electric vehicle ownership experience, and this has been factored in to the 2018 LEAF,” says Joni Paiva, president of Nissan Canada Inc. “We are grateful to these customers for being with us today, and to all Nissan EV customers who engage with us. Their insight allows us to deliver on providing the features EV owners need, and helps accelerate our position as the global EV sales leader.”
Continuing a long tradition of national debuts at the Montreal International Auto Show, Nissan revealed an all-new vehicle for the North American market – the Nissan Kicks crossover, which goes on sale in June of this year. The Kicks joins Nissan’s popular crossover lineup, including the Nissan Rogue, which was the top-selling vehicle in the province of Quebec in 2017.
“The Nissan Kicks and Nissan LEAF are right at home in the province of Quebec, where fun, economical vehicles abound, driving alongside a rising permeation of electric vehicles,” says Paiva. “While vastly different at first glance, the Kicks and LEAF are connected by Nissan’s goal to achieve two things: zero emissions, and zero fatalities. How we achieve that is a global plan called Nissan Intelligent Mobility.”
The Nissan Kicks crossover made its national debut at the Montreal International Auto Show.
The Nissan Kicks embodies Nissan Intelligent Mobility with standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and available, class-leading Intelligent Around View® Monitor equipped with Moving Object Detection (MOD).
Every 2018 Kicks comes with a standard 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS). The engine is rated at 125 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque.
The Kicks story is one of quality and futuristic design in a cabin full of the innovative features expected by its tech-hungry target audience, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and an available, exclusive2 Bose® Personal® Plus sound system. The interior promises ample passenger space in the rear – despite the coupe-like roofline – as well as one of the largest load areas in its class.
As the flagship for Nissan Intelligent Mobility, The Nissan LEAF’s new lithium-ion battery pack delivers an estimated range of 242 kilometres1, and its new e-powertrain delivers an exhilarating, linear driving performance with a power output of 147 horsepower, 40 per cent more than the previous-generation LEAF. Torque has been increased 26 per cent to 236 lb-ft, resulting in improved acceleration.
The all-new 2018 Nissan LEAF sets a new standard in the growing market for mainstream electric vehicles – offering greater range, advanced technologies such as ProPILOT Assist and e-Pedal, and a dynamic new design. Nissan LEAF continues to be the best-selling 100 per cent electric vehicle the world.
“We strongly believe that the all-new Nissan LEAF will be a great success here in Quebec. The province is indeed a key market for Nissan. Last year, we saw a sale increase of 23.2 per cent, and the Rogue was the number one sport utility vehicle choice of Quebecers in 2017, an accomplishment that we are extremely proud of. With the addition of the Nissan Kicks and Nissan LEAF to our existing vast lineup, not to mention the commitment and determination of our 43 dealers in Quebec, 2018 is looking good,” concluded Paiva.
The Nissan Rogue – Midnight Edition – best-selling SUV in 2017.
To read more about the Nissan Kicks, visit the Nissan Canada media site:
1 Fuel consumption ratings are estimates based on Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)’s fuel consumption criteria and testing methods for 2018 model year vehicles.
2 AIAMC segmentation. Available feature. 2018 Kicks vs. latest in-market competitors in sub compact SUV class. Based on manufacturers’ websites.
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