Nissan Leaf

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Okay, we have some pictures of the new Leaf, without any camouflage:

To start with, the boom doesn't appear to be very aerodynamically efficient.

[NeilBlanchard]

Nissan is teasing the aerodynamic improvements of the new Leaf.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrNIvSQXRXg

The roofline does look much better than the current Leaf, and the underside shown in the profile, also has a slight rise, which looks consistent with what it should be, for lower a Cd. It would also be consistent with neutral lift.



I think they have kept the quieter air flow around the side mirrors – the arched chines on the hood seem like they are doing that job.

The wheels and the wheel openings look tighter and close to flush, which will also help lower the Cd, as well. And the trailing edges are crisp (rather than curved away from the air flow, like the current Leaf) is critical for lower drag.

[gone-ot]

Maybe they heard the "ugly" comments about the first LEAF and decided to turn their "pig problem" into a marketing "sow's ear"?

[MetroMPG]

The 2018 Nissan Leaf Is No Tesla Model 3 But It Won't Cost Nearly As Much

[vskid3]

Looks like it still doesn't have a liquid cooled battery, from what I've found. That's the biggest reason I haven't really considered the current Leaf. Almost everyone else uses liquid cooling and there's been very few battery capacity issues with those vehicles.

[sendler]

New Leaf report.
.
2018 Nissan Leaf debuts: 150 miles for $30,875, 200-plus miles in 2019
.

[Daox]

Originally Posted by vskid3

Looks like it still doesn't have a liquid cooled battery, from what I've found. That's the biggest reason I haven't really considered the current Leaf. Almost everyone else uses liquid cooling and there's been very few battery capacity issues with those vehicles.

I haven't heard of many issues since the ~2013-2014ish redesign that used the 'lizard battery'. Can anyone speak to that?

[MetroMPG]

It's the most "redesigned" car using an existing platform & greenhouse that I've ever seen.

At least they worked on aero:

0.32 Cd - 1st gen Leaf
0.28 Cd - 2018 Leaf

The underfloor and a diffuser-type rear bumper combine to achieve reduced drag and zero lift, resulting in improved vehicle stability. Thanks to the aerodynamic body styling, including a rear bumper with a clear-cut curve and aero-design wheels, the new Nissan LEAF has a 0.28 coefficient of drag.

Overview: 2018 Nissan LEAF - Nissan Online Newsroom

[Daox]

I think the looks are a big leap forward. They also do have a whole new drive system. Not sure about the battery chemistry.

[vskid3]

Originally Posted by Daox

I haven't heard of many issues since the ~2013-2014ish redesign that used the 'lizard battery'. Can anyone speak to that?

Most of what I've seen was from looking at the cheapest Leafs around and a good chunk seemed to be down a bar or two. Granted, they were the older and cheaper cars, but we'll see how the lizard batteries are doing in a couple more years. I hope they can make do without liquid cooling, but I doubt the other manufacturers are taking the time and effort to liquid cool their batteries without good reason.

The 2018 looks much better than the original. I wonder how much better sales of the first gen would have been if it didn't look so weird. Nice that they could improve aero as well.