Nissan Leaf... the well thought out Volt killer

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by nmgolfer

Much attention to detail in all aspects of design including instrumentation and aerodynamics.

When I read about the headlight shape/mirror aeromodding, I was encouraged that they were focused on the details.

Then I read Nissan's own aero specs for the car and was seriously underwhelmed:

Cd: 0.29
Frontal area (m2): 2.27

(source)

Cd 0.29 is remarkably unremarkable, considering its "head start": the vehicle has minimal cooling requirements (compared to an internal combustion car) and no exhaust system to interfere with a theoretically smooth undertray. (I don't actually know how well designed the Leaf's underbits are.)

To add insult to injury, the location of the tail lights makes it more difficult for owners to mod the car to clean up the aero back there.

I'd still like to try one if I ever get the chance.

[MetroMPG]

"We believe 'range anxiety' is a falsehood, because anxieties only show up when you don't have information,"

I'd have to agree with that. Jibes with my experience over the 5000 electric km the ForkenSwift has covered... in about 15 km increments.

EDIT: of course the flaw in that statement is it assumes people (a) pay attention to the information, (b) are educated about what the information means, and (c) will use the information to make reasonable decisions.

[Frank Lee]

I think range anxiety is comparable to the N. American fixation on SUVs and pickups, that is, people must be getting a feeling of security by preparing for huge unforseen events such as large towing or hauling jobs that rarely if ever happen. Don't forget, motorists that really care about efficiency are in the minute minority...

"We believe 'range anxiety' is a falsehood, because anxieties only show up when you don't have information,"

So this ^ is 100% wrong.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Cd 0.29 is remarkably unremarkable, considering its "head start": the vehicle has minimal cooling requirements (compared to an internal combustion car) and no exhaust system to interfere with a theoretically smooth undertray.

I read that, and wasn't impressed either.
Especially on a vehicle with limited power available, a better Cd would have helped to reduce power draw at higher speed.


It's something Hucho has also been pointing out : aerodynamic progress on production cars seems to have stopped at around 0.25 .
Hucho blames the European test cycle which only averages 32 km/h (20mph).

[nmgolfer]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

When I read about the headlight shape/mirror aeromodding, I was encouraged that they were focused on the details.

Then I read Nissan's own aero specs for the car and was seriously underwhelmed:

(source)

Cd 0.29 is remarkably unremarkable, considering its "head start": the vehicle has minimal cooling requirements (compared to an internal combustion car) and no exhaust system to interfere with a theoretically smooth undertray. (I don't actually know how well designed the Leaf's underbits are.)

.29 is not bad. Toyota Yaris is .29. I also have to wonder if these are apples to apples comparisons. Is the CD of ICE powered vehicles measured with sinking drag incuded? I kind of doubt it... probably just a wind tunnel result. Where is the standardize CD test protocol?

Form follows function

Nissan designers probably asked themselves: what impact would dropping the CD to say .25 from .29 have on vehicle performance the way the average driver will be using it? Range from 100 to 110 miles? Is it "worth it"? Probably not. I suspect most Leaf drivers will be using it for stop and go city driving or commuting to their job 10 miles away where aero losses are minimal anyway.

Don't get me wrong... I love the EV-1 .19 CD and minimal frontal area but lets face it the four seater Leaf with a real trunk and sized to carry "typical" LOL Americans is a far more practical vehicle. And few if any owners ever intend to strap on an aero tail cone.

[UFO]

Heheheh.... ^^^ he said "strap-on"

heh heh heh heh

[RobertSmalls]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

(I don't actually know how well designed the Leaf's underbits are.)

To add insult to injury, the location of the tail lights makes it more difficult for owners to mod the car to clean up the aero back there.

The Leaf has an excellent, flat undertray with a diffuser at the rear, and obviously an almost 100% grille block. I'm with Metro on this, 0.29 fails to impress, for an EV.

Perhaps this picture will show up:

[NeilBlanchard]

They admit to compromising on the aero to keep non-controversial looks. I think they could have at least hit Cd 0.25 with a bit more effort -- maybe if they offered smoother wheels, they could have? The Prius drops about that much going from the stock 15" wheels to the optional 17" wheels.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

They admit to compromising on the aero to keep non-controversial looks.

I rather suspect the designers deliberately wanted (or were told) to stay well away from the hybrid shape that identifies the Prius or 2nd gen Insight.

Too bad if that was also the most aerodynamic shape.

Instead they opted for a Renault Megane II styled trunk, which leads to a massive loss of useful volume.

[Angelus359]

so the leaf's aero is stupid
Gotcha...


Now imagine if they had 100% grill block, better back, flat wheel covers over the alloys, cameras instead of mirrors, and both wheel wells covered

I'll tell you what would happen... they'd sell 10% of them, and it'd go 70% farther.