LEAF test drives and reviews are nothing new at this point. Nissan literally has had hundreds of reporters in their 100 mile electric car by this point, and thousands of amateur wordsmiths and would-be owners.
And for the most part, those reviews all read the same:
* driver is excited to get the chance to drive one
* driver is surprised by the torque
* driver says how quiet it is
* driver repeats Nissan press kit
* driver says something about range
* driver says something about oil
…475 words later and we are done (although sometimes if we are lucky, they plough into a steel fence)
Nothing wrong with that, responsible journalism I guess, but it does get a little tedious after awhile. (I know…I’m pretty sure I have read them all)
That is why I wanted to mention a recent drive and report by the Wall Street Journal, because they get all that nonsense out of the way in the first paragraph and bring up some observations that are a little more deep, by paragraph two. This review is going to be different.
“The Leaf also represents one of the most daring bids for market dominance I’ve ever seen in the car business because no one, and I mean no one, knows if the damned thing will sell.”
“Mr. Ghosn, also chief executive of Renault, has spent much of the past two years running around like a lunatic, striking deals with governments, utilities and public-private partnerships, and is investing billions in the EV business, with assembly halls and battery factories scattered all over the world. He has foreclosed the chicken-and-egg, EV-and-charging infrastructure objection by dropping his entire business on the henhouse.”
“If he wins, Renault-Nissan wins huge. If the loses, Mr. Ghosn will go down in history as the biggest CEO goat since Tony Hayward.”
I am not one to go out of my way to promote someone else’s work, but check out Dan Neil’s review, its worth it. Actually, don’t go check it out, because he narrates the whole thing with a video for your enjoyment.
/nice work
Great review..I like his comment on the range discussion:
“For the record, I logged more than 80 miles on the Leaf and still had about 20% charge in reserve. What anxiety?”
James(Quote)
“Dogs won’t chase this thing…” Awesome. Thanks.
MichaelP(Quote)
I think it’s better to read the article and skip the video. Dan Neil is so funny in print and some of that gets lost with the video. As background, Dan Neil left the LA Times for the WSJ this year in part because he participated in an insurrection against the real estate mogul who bought the Times. He’s also well known for the kerfuffle he kicked off when he called for the GM Board to fire Wagoner — too many brands and not direction. GM threatened to pull its advertising from the Times for a brief period.
Anyway, the review is vastly more interesting than most, which I guess is why Neil is a Pulitzer winning journalist and others aren’t.
DonC(Quote)
He really hates those headlights.
kyle(Quote)
I have to admit that was funny.
James(Quote)
August 31, 2010
NISSAN LEAF RESERVATIONISTS MOVE ONE STEP CLOSER TO AN EMISSION-FREE FUTURE AS ORDER SPECIFICATION PHASE BEGINS
- 2011 model year Nissan LEAF options packaging confirmed -
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (Aug. 31, 2010) – Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced the start of order specification for the 2011 model year Nissan LEAF – the industry’s first 100-percent electric car for the mass market – for those customers who have placed a reservation online. Consumers will now be able to choose the color and trim level of their Nissan LEAF, bringing them one step closer to a tailpipe-, gas- and emission-free future.
The ordering process for Nissan LEAF will be prioritized based on when consumers submitted their original reservations online and by the consumer’s market. Over the next several weeks, reservation holders will begin to receive emails informing them how to submit an order. They will contact a dealer to negotiate their price and finalize the order for the purchase or lease of Nissan LEAF.
Once a consumer’s order has been agreed with a dealer it will be placed in sequence for production and delivery according to the consumer’s market. These future Nissan LEAF drivers will be informed of an estimated delivery timing upon completing the order process.
“Today Nissan moves one step closer to placing thousands of zero-emission electric cars on American roadways,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing, Nissan North America. “As more than 80 percent of those customers placing a reservation are new to Nissan, we look forward to welcoming them as they embrace Nissan’s innovation and begin zero-emission driving.”
Nissan previously announced SV and SL trim introductory pricing for the 2011 Nissan LEAF on March 30. Today, the company is providing additional information to reservationists, including detailed factory and port installed options content. Currently, more than 18,600 people in the United States have made a reservation for the Nissan LEAF, drawing closer to the target of 20,000 reservations by December.
In preparation for the opening of the Nissan website for customer orders on Aug. 31 in California, Arizona, Tennessee, Washington and Oregon, the following specifications are being released:
MY 2011 Nissan LEAF SV: $32,780
Well-equipped high technology features with surprising customer convenience items, including:
•All-New Dedicated EV Platform
•3.3 kW Onboard Charger
•Standard Charge Port (240V)
•Palm-Shift Drive Selector
•Recycled Cloth Seat Fabric
•No Charge For 36 Months CARWINGS (Telematics)
•5 Exterior Colors
•Laminated 24 kWh Lithium Ion Battery
•Portable Trickle Charge Cable (120V)
•Navigation System
•Regenerative Braking
•16″ Alloy Wheels
•No Charge For 36 Months Roadside Assistance
Model Year 11 Nissan LEAF SL: $33,720
In addition to standard SV features, includes:
•Photovoltaic Solar Panel Spoiler
•Fog Lights
•Cargo Cover
•RearView Monitor (RVM)
•Automatic On/Off Headlights
•Homelink® Universal Transceiver
Quick Charge Option: $700
Available with the SL trim, this charge port on the vehicle will allow for charging to 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes at compatible high voltage public charging stations.
Destination & Handling: $820
More information about pricing and options packaging, along with vehicle specifications, are available at http://www.nissannews.com.
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America, the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at http://www.nissanusa.com.
Nissan Zero Emission Website
http://www.nissan-zeroemission.com
James(Quote)
He sure does have a way with words!
“a rear end like a soused diaper”
headlamps “like huge watery blisters”
“submarine-silent”
Leaf and Volt – “dueling electrons at dawn”
“this car is not for you, Willy Loman.”
“a postgraduate toaster”
Less flowery, an observation that I made in the forums a few weeks back,
“The biggest weakness is the “last mile,” the web of wires and transformers that service neighborhoods. These are vulnerable to overload during peak demand.”
I also like his realistic assessment of the environmental benefits – no mis-leading ‘zero-emission’ claim, rather “more energy-efficient and less carbon intensive (even using coal-fired grid electricity) than gasoline vehicles.”
JEff(Quote)
I’d say that he has summarized the Leaf’s looks quite well. Surprisingly, the pictures accompanying the article portray the Leaf as a reasonably attractive car. Nicest pictures I’ve seen.
Although I certainly enjoy quiet, smooth cars, Dan makes it sound like Nissan has gone well beyond this… to boring and bland. No steering feel, no engine noise, no brake feedback. It’s probably just as well that range is limited; it might be difficult to stay awake while driving.
Most of us reserved our Leafs the same day the Deepwater Horizon blew out and burned, and I ordered my Leaf the day before the latest Gulf of Mexico oil rig caught fire. Easy dates to remember. Some things are more important than an exciting ride.
Karl Olmstead(Quote)
The article in the WSJ was interesting, to say the least. I have read that some test have shown the leaf getting well over 200 miles per charge in city stop and go traffic. Any one else hear this?
As far as the way the Leaf looks, I have always like its looks. Especially with the Ocean Blue paint job. That is the color I probably will choose as long as it has a tan interior color. Any information on colors for the interior and which color will be allowed with the exterior color of your choice? Some of you who have placed an order should be able to answer this query? Thanks ahead of time, just in case I get an answer.
N Riley(Quote)
Great review…thanks for sharing.
On a side note..does anyone know if the Leaf has any belts like in a standard engine that run anything..sorry if that is a dumb question. I didn’t think it did (since most things are run by electricty) but wanted to double check.
Unlimited_MPG(Quote)
On the Nissan Zero-emissions web-site they speak of an “Aqua Globe” body color. Is that the same as the “Ocean Blue” color?
N Riley(Quote)
You people and your love of blue cars. I give up, (=
(there is only one choice of blue)
No interior choices right now I am afraid Neal (notice the proper spelling), unless you consider the eco decal/applique package a modification of the interior.
I’ve not seen any full range tests approach 200 miles under any conditions. Not saying it couldn’t happen, but 147 is the highest I’ve seen so far.
Jay (Statik) Cole(Quote)
I keep looking at the “shift lever” in the Leaf to put the car in drive, reverse or park. Does it seem like it would be easy to “bump” that type of shift and knock it into a position you did not want? Or do you have to have your foot on the brake before it allows the drive to be shifted? I am just asking. Maybe dumb questions, but I don’t know the answers.
N Riley(Quote)
Excellent,
Did you guys see that L3 plug at the last shot!!
Totally awesome.
You see, republicans and democrats have something in common here…..and probably ONLY this one thing. While most Repubs think global warming is “crap” (as Bob L. would say) they DO happen to believe we should not be shipping billions of dollars overseas to our enemies (ie we need to stick it to them Arabs).
We all should all agree on this. It should be simple.
Get on Board!!
It’s America God Damn it
Love it or leave it.
(I bet you probably never thought you would hear that lecture from someone that voted for Obama and happens to think he is doing a pretty good job)
GeorgeS(Quote)
Thanks, Static. For the answer and the spelling. Incidentally, you have a great site here. Keep up the good work.
N Riley(Quote)
Gee what a dumb post George. Kind of like preaching to the choir isn’t it.
If you had an edit button you could delete it.
GeorgeS(Quote)
Nailed it!
Ike(Quote)
Excellent question, it does seem like the shifter would be easy to knock into or out of position inadvertantly without interlocks of some kind. I hope someone has the answer.
Reminds me of something else – that kind of control is different enough from the auto gear shift that we’re used to, and similar enough to a video game joy stick, that I asked myself “why do I move it back to go forward and move it forward to go backward?”
I guess because as different as it is, it’s similar enough that drivers will unconsiously move it the wrong way if it’s wired to work like a joy stick.
So why to automatic transmission shift levers get pulled backwards to go forward and get pushed forward to go backwards?
JEff(Quote)
JEff, I suspect that the ‘shifter’ is really just some switches, and the car’s computer is smart enough to not shift the motor into reverse while proceeding forward, and vice-versa.
I agree with you that forward should be forward, and back should be reverse. Driven a lot of tractors and forklifts, and that’s how they work. I’m also thinking that it might be possible to reverse a couple of wires, and have the shifter work the way we’d like to have it.
I think the shifter returns to center after you nudge it. I read somewhere that bumping the lever back twice will put the car in ‘ECO’ mode. Now, that’s intuitive… NOT.
Karl Olmstead(Quote)