The Nissan Leaf five-door hatchback is as close to a unique
car as you'll get: It's one of two pure electric cars offered in the
The Nissan Leaf offers much lower operating costs (2-5 cents per mile for electricity, versus 6 to 15 cents per mile using gasoline). Energy is stored in a 24-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the Leaf's floorpan. It powers an electric motor that drives the front wheels, and should give a range of about 100 miles from a full charge. Recharging takes 6 to 7 hours using 220-Volt power (the same kind used for electric stoves and driers), and Nissan says special fast-charge stations will fill the pack from 20 to 80 percent in less than half an hour.
Nissan claims the compact-size Leaf offers the interior room of a midsize car; its weight of well over 3,000 pounds is clearly more in line with the larger category. Like all electric cars, which can develop peak torque at 0 rpm, it is brisk off the line. Acceleration from zero to 60 mph is likely to be in the 10-second range, and top speed will be 90 miles per hour or close. The Leaf includes the ability to pre-heat or pre-cool the car while it's still plugged in, to reduce the load on the battery. The coarse, velvety upholstery material is made from recycled plastic bottles and home appliances.
The Leaf is the first of several all-electric models expected from Nissan, which has placed a large bet on all-electric cars versus plug-ins that are either adapted conventional hybrids or use a range extending engine to provide longer travel distances.
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Source: The Car Connection
The Juke is a mini SUV to be released by Nissan late 2010. The production version made its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March, and was introduced to North America at the 2010 New York International Auto Show.