Last September, Nissan revealed the new 2018 Nissan Leaf. And while we're only just seeing the first New Zealand new examples hit the country, Nissan have confirmed a new more powerful, longer range model called the E-Plus.
The new model was initially scooped by a Swiss charging station manufacturer called EVTEC, who posted pictures of the more gutsy Leaf charging at a rate of 102kW. Nissan have since conceded more details on this more powerful model.
The E-Plus will be propelled by an upgraded 149kW (200hp) electric motor. Yes, that's only a couple of kilowatts more than standard, but in an interview with Autoguide.com, Nissan EV Marketing and Sales Strategy director Brian Maragno said the numbers only tell half the story.
“When you have a bigger battery with more capacity, it just opens up the door to be able to have more output,” he said.
“A larger capacity battery lends itself towards two things: one is obvious: more range. The other one, which is maybe a little less obvious, but equally as true, is additional horsepower and output.”
Range is a curious thing. Initial reports last year stated that the Leaf would come with a bonkers 378km range. However, that number has shrunken in the time since to a more humble 243km according to the US EPA's tests.
This E-Plus will, according to Nissan, score a range of more than 320 kilometres (200 miles) — or just over the distance between Auckland and Taupō.
Nissan haven't confirmed the specifics on how it will achieve these figures, it's expected that the Leaf's normal 40kWh battery is set to be traded for a larger 60kWh battery.