The next-generation Nissan Leaf will go away its city-sized footprint behind for one thing larger. Its substitute shall be a bigger SUV, and Automotive News Europe is reporting that the corporate’s Chill-Out concept from 2021 will preview the EV’s revamped design.
The Chill-Out idea is an enormous departure from the Leaf’s present styling. It debuted with clean sheet metallic and easy traces. The coupe-like greenhouse gave it a sporty aesthetic enhanced by the massive wheels pushed to the outer corners. The daring V-motion grille was nowhere to be found, however the black frontal insert and lights retained the form.
The again mimics the entrance finish with a black inserts housing the taillights – two vertical and three horizontal items – and the Nissan phrase branding. It additionally had a bumper appliqué for some added distinction.
One place the place the idea will finally differ from the manufacturing mannequin is the inside. The Chill-Out idea was all about enjoyable due to autonomy, with the mannequin missing conventional controls and a big show dominating the minimalistic sprint. That future remains to be a number of years away.
When the Leaf’s successor does arrive, Nissan received’t construct it in America. Sources informed Automotive News that the automaker plans to ship manufacturing from North America to England. It’s unclear if the corporate plans to export the mannequin to different markets, however such a transfer would imply it would lose eligibility for the US’s $7,500 federal tax credit score.
Leaf gross sales have hovered round 10,000 for the final a number of years however are down almost 35 % by the primary 9 months of the 12 months. 2023 could possibly be one of many mannequin’s worst gross sales years since its launch, with simply 5,804 offered up to now, however that’s simply proof that the automaker wants to present the mannequin a radical overhaul.
The EV panorama has modified rather a lot since Nissan launched the Leaf for the 2011 mannequin 12 months. It arrived with as much as simply 100 miles of vary and glacial charging occasions, and there are a lot of extra choices at the moment. A number of years in the past, Chevrolet revamped the Bolt, one of many Leaf’s rivals, introducing the higher-riding Bolt EUV to extend its reputation amongst crossover-crazed shoppers.