300-mile LEAF to be Announced this Month?

cwerdna said:

johnlocke said:

Nissan would be smart to change to CCS for Europe and the U.S. since the majority of new charging stations will be either Combo or CCS only.

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Because of VW-owned Electrify America stacking the deck?

CCS only? Even they aren't doing that, AFAIK.

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I think what SAE and non-Japan automakers did pushing CCS standard (With Chademo already in use at the time) was craven. Nevertheless it seems clear now that Chademo is going to lose this standards war. The question is how many years do they want to saddle US customers with substandard QC access? For being first-to-market with a viable mainstream EV, Nissan has ever since demonstrated a remarkable lack of agility.

johnlocke said:

Tokyo launch video seems to show the new car with a Chademo connection (V2H).

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It wasn't clear to me, but I got the impression that there was only the CHAdeMO connector, no slow AC charge connector at all.

Could this be the future? All DC charging? No On Board Charrger at all?

Perhaps that aspect is more concept than reality, at least for some time.

I saw the same, and honestly, it makes sense. If you have a V2H system and a 300 mile real world range, you really don't need Level 2 any more...with the exception of overnight destination chargers for longer trips.

Its a bit more expensive, but it's not to hard to think of hotels moving from Level 2 destination chargers to V2H systems which actually give them power fail over from their guests and maybe a perk with the power companies.

Nissan does need another manufacturer (beyond Mitsubishi Outlander) to release with Chademo (My thought was that it would come from China, but they have slowed down their plans in coming to the US) to push to the higher power backward compatible Chademo 3 (ChaoJi).

The car companies in general desperately don't want to change their business model, but Tesla is forcing it. It is going to take some real leadership to change that culture...or become dinosaurs. There is still time... say a year or 18 months for them to change.. If it takes longer then that, Tesla moves from 2-3% market share to 10%...and it will quickly become game over for many of the brands we know today. They have had 10 years to change, so maybe its for the better.

Maybe it is just me, but I like having the charge port on the front.

As to only having a fast charge port, I've seen some CCS - like the Kia - that look like they only have one but that one port has pieces to do both.
So one port essentially does both Lvl2 and Fast charging on the Kia. The level 2 plug simply doesn't use the bottom prongs.

danrjones said:

Maybe it is just me, but I like having the charge port on the front.

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Me too. Most of the DCQC stations are nose in, so the charge port in the front works well. Charge port on the side is a loser in tight parking.

I wonder what the reasoning is.

coulomb said:

It wasn't clear to me, but I got the impression that there was only the CHAdeMO connector, no slow AC charge connector at all.

Could this be the future? All DC charging? No On Board Charrger at all?

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They put the CHAdeMO connector on the drivers’ side, and the AC connector on the passengers’ side.

coulomb said:

johnlocke said:

Tokyo launch video seems to show the new car with a Chademo connection (V2H).

Click to expand...

It wasn't clear to me, but I got the impression that there was only the CHAdeMO connector, no slow AC charge connector at all.

Could this be the future? All DC charging? No On Board Charrger at all?

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.
Not a chance.

If you really did see only CHAdeMO you can chalk it up to mock up/prototype

danrjones said:

As to only having a fast charge port, I've seen some CCS - like the Kia - that look like they only have one but that one port has pieces to do both.
So one port essentially does both Lvl2 and Fast charging on the Kia. The level 2 plug simply doesn't use the bottom prongs.

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That's true for all BEVs with CCS DCFC in North America. E.g., the Bolt.

Only those that saddle you with CHAdeMO require 2 ports.

WetEV said:

danrjones said:

Maybe it is just me, but I like having the charge port on the front.

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Me too.

I wonder what the reasoning is.

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My guess is that the front middle is prime position for a suite of Pro Pilot related gear: ladars, millimetre wave radar, cameras, etc. They made a bit of a deal about the front grille sporting all that tech in one of the videos.

^^ makes sense although I prefer reserving the nose for bumping into things

cwerdna said:

jdcbomb said:

I'm seriously hoping the charge port is not there...but this "concept" appears to be arriving showrooms next fall for deliveries in 2021.
...
Article with pricing and details: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a29542556/nissan-ariya-concept-ev-photos-info/

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Says who? Did Nissan say that? Source?

From watching the video, the car still seems way too concept-y and not something they would produce even for 2021.

Here's Nissan's press release: https://global.nissannews.com/en/releases/nissan-unveils-ariya-concept-at-tokyo-motor-show.


I was at Tokyo Motor Show in late 2009 and saw the Leaf on stage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-A3gyCc_Uk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rUCa2SA_Do). I have some pics of it still.

Here's a pic that year's motor show: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Leaf#/media/File:Nissan_Leaf_013.JPG. I have a pic of the basically the same thing but worse. https://imgur.com/a/27eA9qh is one I happen to have but not as zoomed in to include the door and more of the seat.

What they shipped in Dec 2010 wasn't that far off from that.

Seems like C&D is just guessing. I'm not sure how confident I am about that guess.

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I heard reports that dealers have already been shown a 2021 model with the same features. Dec 2020 looks like it could be doable and there doesn't seem to be any tech that would be out of reach. Add to that the model Y is now due summer of 2020 and the ID4 next fall, Nissan can't afford to fall too far behind. An extra year would really put Nissan at the tail end and the Leaf+ really can't compete with them in the meantime. Also Nissan doesn't usually assign a model Name like Ariya until late in development. It might not have the fancy dash when the production model arrives but most of the exterior and running gear will be there.

johnlocke said:

I heard reports that dealers have already been shown a 2021 model with the same features. Dec 2020 looks like it could be doable and there doesn't seem to be any tech that would be out of reach. Add to that the model Y is now due summer of 2020 and the ID4 next fall, Nissan can't afford to fall too far behind. An extra year would really put Nissan at the tail end and the Leaf+ really can't compete with them in the meantime. Also Nissan doesn't usually assign a model Name like Ariya until late in development. It might not have the fancy dash when the production model arrives but most of the exterior and running gear will be there.

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Just because dealers may have been shown something doesn't mean it's close to ready. They could just be trying to gauge feedback and perceptions. Nissan has always shown concepts at Tokyo Motor Show and other major auto shows. Many, if not most don't become production vehicles.

For reference, here's what I quickly found Nissan showing in some past Tokyo Motor Shows (which happen only every other year):
https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/MOTORSHOW/2017/TOKYO/
https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/MOTORSHOW/2015/TOKYO/
https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/MOTORSHOW/2013/TOKYO/
https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/MOTORSHOW/2011/TOKYO/
https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/MOTORSHOW/2009/tokyo.html - don't have a great equivalent of the above but here are some pics for 09: https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-shows/tokyo-auto-show/news/g1431/photos-2009-tokyo-motor-show-nissan-preview/?slide=1

Here's what NissanUSA currently has: https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/future-concept.html.

Here was the Nissan Resonance concept unveiled in Jan 2013:
https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/DESIGN/NISSAN/DESIGNWORKS/CONCEPTCAR/RESONANCE/
https://global.nissannews.com/en/releases/130115-01-e?source=nng&lang=en-US
https://www.tomwoodnissan.com/blog/2013/january/28/is-nissans-resonance-concept-the-new-murano.htm

Notice the assigned names?

WetEV said:

danrjones said:

Maybe it is just me, but I like having the charge port on the front.

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Me too. Most of the DCQC stations are nose in, so the charge port in the front works well. Charge port on the side is a loser in tight parking.

I wonder what the reasoning is.

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As someone who has driven Leaf for over 6 years and has had my Bolt since Feb 2019, I can safely say a driver's side fender inlet location is really inferior for the way most DC FC and L2 setups are in the US.

You don't really realize it as much until you have to deal with it. I posted about why at https://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=548912#p548912.

And, now that I've actually used my Bolt's SAE Combo inlet a bunch of times, I also have to make sure I park close enough so the cable can reach over to the side. At two DC FC's at ChargePoint HQ, I feel like I have to get real close (forward) vs. what my Surround Vision camera shows in order for it to reach.

IMHO, it would be quite a disappointment if Nissan shipped a vehicle w/a long hood and inlets on the sides.

Since Nissan hailed the car a "concept" implies that it is not even close to production. Also those strange names sound like the "codenames" for the project, not the actual car, which will have a more common name.... I mean..... "LEAF"... That was simple! The next EV may be the "LEAF II"!!

cwerdna said:

WetEV said:

danrjones said:

Maybe it is just me, but I like having the charge port on the front.

Click to expand...

Me too. Most of the DCQC stations are nose in, so the charge port in the front works well. Charge port on the side is a loser in tight parking.

I wonder what the reasoning is.

Click to expand...

As someone who has driven Leaf for over 6 years and has had my Bolt since Feb 2019, I can safely say a driver's side fender inlet location is really inferior for the way most DC FC and L2 setups are in the US.

You don't really realize it as much until you have to deal with it. I posted about why at https://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=548912#p548912.

And, now that I've actually used my Bolt's SAE Combo inlet a bunch of times, I also have to make sure I park close enough so the cable can reach over to the side. At two DC FC's at ChargePoint HQ, I feel like I have to get real close (forward) vs. what my Surround Vision camera shows in order for it to reach.

IMHO, it would be quite a disappointment if Nissan shipped a vehicle w/a long hood and inlets on the sides.

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+1

I just watched the actual press conference playback and their SVP made this clear: "These are not typical concepts. These are cars you soon will be able to drive "

At 9:05: https://youtu.be/Lcdhe5u_KpI

That seems to tell me that both the Ariya and iMk are close to production...but is that 1 year or 2 years from now?

In contrast, there was never that clear of "soon you will be able to drive" statements for the iMx etc.

Also, it seems only one non Nissan dude got a chance to basically go inside the Ariya where you can see everything about the space / materials / (only in Japanese): https://youtu.be/A7UlOxYBJzQ

MOTORTREND:

Twin-Motor Nissan Leaf Is an Electric Hot Hatch With 501 LB-FT of Torque

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Nissan revealed a prototype Leaf electric vehicle that showcases technology that will arrive in its next generation of EVs. Based on the Leaf Plus, which has a larger battery than the standard Leaf and an EPA-estimated range of 215 to 226 miles, depending on trim level, this demo vehicle packs two electric motors, one mounted on each axle, and 17-inch wheels shod with staggered-width tires. The prototype even gets wider fenders that hint at its performance aspirations.

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https://www.motortrend.com/news/twin-motor-nissan-leaf-is-an-electric-hot-hatch-with-501-lb-ft-of-torque/

Looks like we may finally have a NISMO (BiSMO?) Leaf worth noting.

This could be a LEAF in wolf's clothing but I'm more inclined to think that NIssan is moving on from LEAF tech to catch up to its rivals.
Perhaps the LEAF will continue to be sold in downstream markets and China but I doubt it. For one, those markets are warmer climates and particularly inhospitable to LEAF tech; and second, Nissan has to now compete with Tesla manufactured in China.

I read somewhere else (take it as rumor) that the old AESC factory is transitioning to NMC 811 cathode cell chemistry. Since Nissan has a supply contract with the new owners the roll-out of this car will be tied to the battery factory successful transition to new battery chemistry and Nissan's ability to add a new BMS and a TMS.

lorenfb said:

MOTORTREND:

Twin-Motor Nissan Leaf Is an Electric Hot Hatch With 501 LB-FT of Torque

Click to expand...

Nissan revealed a prototype Leaf electric vehicle that showcases technology that will arrive in its next generation of EVs. Based on the Leaf Plus, which has a larger battery than the standard Leaf and an EPA-estimated range of 215 to 226 miles, depending on trim level, this demo vehicle packs two electric motors, one mounted on each axle, and 17-inch wheels shod with staggered-width tires. The prototype even gets wider fenders that hint at its performance aspirations.

Click to expand...

https://www.motortrend.com/news/twin-motor-nissan-leaf-is-an-electric-hot-hatch-with-501-lb-ft-of-torque/

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Adding a SECOND motor sounds like a teenager trying to supercharge his gocart... If an additional motor was added, that would mean extra weight AND where you they put the DOUBLE BATTERY you would need to power it??? Sounds like a weak attempt to make a Nissan EV headline out of nothing...