Nissan Leaf 2011 On First Test Drive

If you have something like 16,300 people who have ordered Leaf for the rental before the December launch, you have already destroyed all the important things in anticipation of its publication.

The Nissan Leaf is a five-door, five-city passenger car equipped with a 24kW lithium-ion battery pack, complete with 48 separate units housing four original works. We point out the number of units, because if one fails Nissan replace individual modules without having to change the battery pack – further proof that the Japanese car maker’s eyes, aware of the problems that may plague the mass market EV.

All these crazy electronics has moved to the front wheels through a front-mounted engine produces 107 horsepower and 208 pounds-feet of torque. Top speed comes in at nearly 90 mph and Nissan claims a 0-60 mph time under ten seconds. Do not talk much in this piece of auto world, but both figures suggest this is not another four-wheel electric toys.

What probably matters most is the selection, and Leaf, ducks Nissan Contra-skid hatch (0.29 CD) is good for 100 miles per charge – the amount reasonably objective demographic living in urban and inner city workers. When the juices do not run out, you can suggest one of three different cables into one of two front-mounted ports: 110 -, 220 – or 440-volt.

The first option is available to anyone who can plug in the toaster, but it gives barely enough juice to recharge the batteries after 20 hours of charging time and it does not make bagels. [via nissan]