2011 Nissan LEAF First Impressions

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Lesley Wimbush - AUTO123 - Thursday, October 21, 2010

Anyone we know? --Ed.

NASHVILLE, TN – Rolling to a silent stop, we can't help but notice the driver of a cherry red Camry Hybrid grinning and waving almost frantically next to us.

The Leaf launches this December in the U.S. while Canadians will have to wait until the fall of next year.

Having experienced the brand-fraternity equivalent of a secret handshake during other test drives (the "boy howdy" wave from Jeep dudes, the almost begrudging nod of the German performance sedan driver or the friendly beep-beep of the Mini owner) we assumed he was just happy to acknowledge his recognition of the Nissan Leaf Electric Vehicle we're piloting.

But after he pulled in behind and followed as we coasted to a stop, he proudly introduced himself as a "hypermiler" a community of drivers zealously committed to using as little fuel as possible, and competitively recording rates as low as 1.10 L/100 km (Honda Insight).

We needn't have bothered trying to telling him about our Leaf, he already knew all the facts and figures better than we did. The advance marketing through various social and conventional media has created a buzz that's establishing the Leaf as one of the most revolutionary automobiles of our time. Nissan is producing a factory-capacity initial run of 20,000 vehicles, all of which have been snapped up by pre-registered U.S. buyers. ... [Read More]

[JusBringIt]

That's a very good selling point for the leaf. No complications for refueling. All you have to do is plug it in when it's low. No motor maintenance etc. i have a feeling this will become a collector car.

I can't help but to think that the "eco" button in all the applications known today aren't placed like they're supposed to be.

[beatr911]

The success of a mainstream electric vehicle will depend on how well it fits with the target audiences lifestyle. For this vehicle, it will suit those that ask no more of a car than an appliance. Good on 'em for producing a non-wierd electric vehicle, something anyone can drive, many people can afford and "does the job" of the daily drive.

Maybe I'm a little unusual but I want a little more fun, reasonable utility and a great driving experience. I'll hold out for a mini-e or something. Maybe Mazda will make a Zoom-e. Maybe an electric Fiesta or Focus? It seems that electric vehicle choice will only become greater in the future. Nissan is proving the concept of widespread acceptance for everyone else to follow.

[JusBringIt]

Originally Posted by beatr911

The success of a mainstream electric vehicle will depend on how well it fits with the target audiences lifestyle. For this vehicle, it will suit those that ask no more of a car than an appliance. Good on 'em for producing a non-wierd electric vehicle, something anyone can drive, many people can afford and "does the job" of the daily drive.

Maybe I'm a little unusual but I want a little more fun, reasonable utility and a great driving experience. I'll hold out for a mini-e or something. Maybe Mazda will make a Zoom-e. Maybe an electric Fiesta or Focus? It seems that electric vehicle choice will only become greater in the future. Nissan is proving the concept of widespread acceptance for everyone else to follow.

You have to start somewhere. Performance is being sacrificed here, however as we see with the cr-z hybrid, it wont stay that way forever as long as the industry gets the support it needs. The bugatti veyron wasn't designed next to the Ford Model T .

[xcel]

Hi Guys:

Let me put it to you this way... The LEAF handles better than the Mazda2 and its 0 to 60 time is in the 9.7 to 9.9 range from a stop watch while in the car.

And shame on Lesley for mentioning the Insight at the World Fuel Economy Championships but did not post the correct definition or who was involved.

Wayne

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Note -- an electric Focus is in the works and will be sold.

[RobertSmalls]

Originally Posted by Right Lane Cruiser

Note -- an electric Focus is in the works and will be sold.

It's a shame we haven't heard more about the Focus BEV. Probably because Ford are playing wait-and-see. They do have functional prototypes which are supposedly pretty refined. They mentioned a 2012 launch, but seeing as they're still mum on specs and pricing, they might roll that to 2013 if the market isn't ready for another BEV.

But yeah, the Leaf and Focus BEV both look like they'll be plenty useful, vaguely affordable, and peppy enough, albeit heavier than most little hatchbacks.

[Lesley]

Originally Posted by xcel

Hi Guys:

And shame on Lesley for mentioning the Insight at the World Fuel Economy Championships but did not post the correct definition or who was involved.

Wayne

Hey Wayne... it was a secondary point of the story, the info was obtained through Wiki. Sorry if anyone's toes were stepped on...
The Nashville Hypermiler's name was Ralph...

[msirach]

Originally Posted by Lesley

Hey Wayne... it was a secondary point of the story, the info was obtained through Wiki. Sorry if anyone's toes were stepped on...
The Nashville Hypermiler's name was Ralph...

Welcome to CleanMPG Lesley! I was in Nashville and drove the Leaf on Wednesday. I didn't meet any fellow hypermilers though!

[xcel]

Hi Lesley:

Nice to meet you!

This is our first encounter with the LEAF over a 9.9 mile drive at the MAMA rally two weeks ago.



And I was beyond impressed with three in the car and it was not a very big number conducive route either

You may have met up with Mike Sirach who was representing CleanMPG at Wave 1 of the TN LEAF launch the other day. He said he really had a good time and we are putting together our combined Preview now…

When we speak of hypermiling, it is simple beating the EPA. In the case of the LEAF, it is breaking through the 100-mile barrier from a full SoC. Since we do not know its full cap exactly yet (maybe some know including you and Mike?), we’ll have a nice Wh/mile or Miles/kWh to achieve Hypermiling status..

Good Luck and welcome to CleanMPG!

Wayne