Test Drive Nissan Leaf since 2010 Hatchback
Nissan Leaf. Dove
Nissan Leaf. Price: not defined. On sale: N.D. To win the rank of the best European car of the year, Japanese companies have to jump above the head. Toyota has developed a hybrid prius, Nissan went even further, presenting the world a serial electric vehicle!
Test pilot
Mikhail Medvedev, 34 years old, car journalist, driving experience 14 years old, personal car - Mazda 3
For a car, which all over the world has already managed to paint the technical revolution, he looks too modest. Ordinary five-door hatchback, faceless, like most of his classmates; However, and not repulsive. Something Nissan Leaf resembles a relative model Tiida, except for the set of regiments and lines he has a smoother, thoroughly devoid of aggression. But the main thing is how LEAF is distinguished from the crowd, body color, sky-blue metallic. And it is so symbolic. Indeed, in Europe, the shade, embodying environmental ideals, is not green, like us, namely the gentle blue. Ham, word, understanding. In matters of eco-purity, Leaf has an indisputable advantage over all competitors: he doesn't have an exhaust pipe in principle.
The Japanese brand was generally accused of passivity in terms of environmental development. Like, while Toyota and Honda in need offered the hybrid model market, Nissan kept demonstrative silence. It turned out that the company has much more ambitious plans. In fact, in common reflection of the hybrids seem to be a dead end through the evolution of force aggregates. If you fight for the ecology, then for Total! In this regard, the electric car is much more preferable to any hybrid, at least at first glance. Zero emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, missing as a class of fuel consumption. Is it not a dream turned on dreams about the clean air of green, which, however, because of the color affiliation can be considered and blue?!
Another thing is that the disadvantages of electric vehicles are known to everyone: a limited stroke stock and a high price. In Nissan, they argue that with one problem, the high cost has coped. In Europe, LEAF is only a little more expensive than Hatchback Golf Class with traditional DVS and in the top configuration. In other words, about 30,000 euros. For comparison, the fully packed diesel Focus III in Germany pulls on 28 200. Agree, for an ecology apologist, the difference is insignificant, especially since the electric vehicle saves on the expensive fuel. But what is LEAF not as a sacred cow of Greenpeace, but as a simple vehicle?
In the cabin, the electric car is not inferior to the best golf class representatives. Quite a pretty design, decent build quality, and most importantly a very spacious lounge and a completely spacious trunk, not deprived of transformation capabilities. What a striking contrast with close and uncomfortable Mitsubishi I-MIEV is the only one while the electrician officially sold in Russia!
But even more impressive driving qualities Leaf. The motor starts completely silently: pressed the button and only on the revived instruments realize that the car is waiting for the next order. OK, I translate the elegant, the true designer selector to the D position and add gas. Wow, this is the pickup! From the place of Leaf takes, only hold the cap! 109 horses under the hood is kind of like a bit, but 280 nm of torque is available from the very beginning of the movement. That is why the first meters seem very dynamic. True, at the achievement of 50-60 km / h, the rate of acceleration is noticeably falling, but still beyond the wheel of the electric vehicle it is impossible to feel flawed in the urban pace anyway. There are no questions and to other virtues of the modern vehicle: the smoothness of the stroke at the level, controllability in standard modes predictable, and noise insulation and the electromotor is completely silent at all! We add a full-fledged salon, a decent trunk and truly Japanese build quality, and we will understand that Leaf in terms of practical application remains one minus a small stroke stock.
full batteries can be held up to 175 km, but for this you will have to demonstrate the wonders of the economical ride. Smooth accelerations, as much frequent movement roll and, of course, no air conditioner! Pressing the AC button at once takes 25 km from the testimony of the remaining run, and in the winter, they say, all 40 km will come to heating the cabin!
In principle, the real mileage of 120-130 km meets the requirements of the majority of motorists living in large cities. There is enough to be enough for a route from home to work, and in the parking lot LEAF connects to the usual household network by 220 volts. Charging to the full tank at a current of 16 and takes about 8 hours. You can and faster if using three-phase charger. According to Nissan specialists, it is now being carried out on organizing a test network of express charge stations in Moscow. But it will be more ... In the meantime, with all its ecological advantages, even Serial Leaf remains scary from the people. However, something will be tomorrow? ..
Ahead of a competitor
If Nissan Leaf's prospects in Russia seem foggy, then let's say this electric vehicle for sale in the ocean. The price of an electric car in the US market starts with $ 27,700, and even without large-scale advertising support, the leaf is confidently bypassing the sales of Chevrolet Volt (in the picture).
Love not love Instead of the neck of the benzobacing behind the hatch, the sockets for the charger are hidden. Unusual
Embedded in the roof solenk battery nourishes the climatic system of electric vehicle. Advanced
Unusual headlights Nissan tribute to aerodynamics. Interesting
Driving
A fully acceptable dynamics for the city and understandable manageability will facilitate the finding of a common language with an electric car.
Salon
Spacious, light, efficient, functionally.
Comfort
In the absence of motor sound, the main batch takes on tires, whose hum is obvious in the cabin already over 50 km / h.
Safety
6 pillows and ESP are already in the standard.
Price
Details will be known no earlier than the next year.
Advantages and disadvantages
No harmful emissions worthy of consumer characteristics, good dynamics, silent operation of a power unit
Limited reserve stroke, high price
Specifications
Dimensions - 4450x1770x1550 mm
Engine - electric motor 109 l.c. / 2730 min-1, 280 nm / 2730 min-1
Transmission - automatic, stepless
Dynamics - 144 km / h, 10.9 s to 100 km / h
Stroke range - 130175 km on one charge
Competitors - Mitsubishi I-Miev, Renault Fluence Electric
Our opinion
So that Nissan Leaf from the simply curious Hightec Device has turned into a convenient vehicle, it is necessary to create a network of charging stations. While this condition seems little fulfilled. However, one hundred years ago, only dreamed about the network of benzoclon.
Author: Mikhail Medvedev
A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [October 2011]
