Nissan has introduced a fully redesigned Leaf, transforming its long-running electric vehicle into a crossover with increased range and new technology, as part of a broader push to revamp its lineup under incoming CEO Ivan Espinosa.
The third-generation Leaf, built on Nissan’s CMF-EV platform shared with the Ariya, features a more upright stance with an emphasis on aerodynamics. Nissan has not disclosed full technical specifications, but François Bailly, the company’s vehicle program boss, said the new Leaf will achieve up to 600 km (373 miles) of range on a single charge. “A confident EV drive was one of the core guiding principles behind the new Leaf’s construction,” Bailly told TopGear.com.
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The model’s design reflects Nissan’s evolving aesthetic, with a streamlined front end and a sloping roofline. It is also equipped with 19-inch wheels, a panoramic moonroof, and a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port in the U.S., allowing access to Tesla’s charging network. The vehicle will be produced at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the U.K., which the company is positioning as a flagship EV hub.
Espinosa, currently Nissan’s head of global product planning, emphasized that the new Leaf is part of a larger effort to restore the company’s financial and operational stability. “There’s several things that we have to work on,” he told TopGear.com. “One is the stability of our revenue flow. The second thing is cost—cost has to be improved. The third is speed, shortening our development cycle.”
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The updated Leaf will be launched in Europe later this year, alongside the fully electric Micra and an all-new Juke. “To our passionate fans and loyal owners around the world, I can assure you, this is just the beginning of an exciting journey ahead,” Espinosa said.