Nissan releases lower cost, lower weight 2013 Leaf in Japan

[wtmusic]

176 lbs. lighter, a return to 2010 pricing, and most impressive - they were even able to make it more stylish.



"Nissan Leaf sales have not gone as well as the automaker may have hoped, but it’s far from giving up just yet. We’ve heard plenty of rumors about a lower-cost Nissan Leaf EV to expand the car’s reach and now we have official details on the Japanese-market vehicle. The Nissan Leaf S will be stripped of certain equipment that’s included on the higher-trim X and G models but, significantly, will have the same performance capabilities.

This approach is unlike that of Tesla with the Model S, which is offered in three trims with different levels of power and overall range. The Japan-spec Nissan Leaf S comes with 16-inch wheels with wheel covers; 16- and 17-inch alloys are available. The base-trim Leaf also goes without the car’s LED headlights and the higher-trim Leaf’s fog lights.

The Japanese-market Nissan Leaf will now be offered with leather seats and a lightweight Bose seven-speaker sound system. Nissan’s Around View Monitor will be available, and cargo capacity has been improved a bit thanks to moving a now-smaller onboard charger from the back of the car to the front. A black interior is optional, hill-start assist is available, and the parking brake is now foot-operated."

http://wot.motortrend.com/cheaper-ev-nissan-leaf-s-debuts-in-japan-with-lower-msrp-same-ev-performance-293735.html#axzz2CoEDWEsk

[godai]

1. US Manufacture in TN to begin soon.

Should allow lower price. Great EV for local use...80 mile range before charging. I'll drive mine 74 miles for Thanksgiving, then recharge in a parking garage charge station there.

[wtmusic]

2. Freight on mine was $550

so local manufacture will help, plus - they're just getting the manufacturing process down. When the price drops below $20k with rebates, IMO they'll be over a critical hump to acceptance.

Do you have Chargepoint where you live? I have a card, I haven't used it yet, but it's nice to know about if you ever need it.

[godai]

3. I have a Chargepoint card. Will use it Thursday for a free charge.

I'm in NOVA, and I've used free chargers in Columbia MD also.