Nissan Leaf

[TEG]

I saw a production Leaf at a dealership yesterday.
Among other things, they replaced the prototype's LED backup lights with traditional incandescent bulbs. Also the rear turn signals are bulbs now too.

The audio / nav system seems to have both SD card and USB ports for input.
Charge locations for the bay area only showed Steven's Creek and Vacaville so far.

 

[howabout2]

It's disappointing to hear that they've gone with incandescents in lieu of LEDs for some of the lighting. I understand they are cheaper, but disregarding the safety arguments, it's also just tacky for such a high-tech vehicle to have such low-tech lighting. It's always bothered me that the MINI E I drive uses plain bulbs, too, especially when my previous car, an Infiniti with a traditional old-school engine, used LEDs.

I very much hope that all of the intricate LED piping and other lighting effects seen on the Model S prototype doesn't vanish.

I've noticed that BMW reintroduced incandescant with recent model redesigns. Whether planned or not, this allowed them to put LEDs (back) in when that design was due for a mid-cycle refresh. Maybe Nissan will do the same.

 

[TEG]

Here is a video of the production unit making the rounds between Northern California dealers:

The brake lights and part of the headlights are still LED.
In a way having the turn signals be bulbs give a more customary / pleasant fade-in, fade-out effect during blinking.
I am actually pleased that they went with yellow bulbs instead of blinking the red brake LEDs.

 

[vfx]

LAnce's

 

[TEG]

Hey - I came here to post that... You beat me to it!

 

[vfx]

That's a first!

Alert the media! :biggrin:

Anyone notice the Livestrong bracelet wheels?

 

[TEG]

With Aerovironment J1772 charging station:

 

[EVNow]

BTW, Nissan is doing test drives for anyone who wants.

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1164

You need to register here --> https://drivenissanleaf.com/Event/

The first of the drives started today at AltCar Expo.

 

[dpeilow]

The Stig likes the Leaf...


Nissan Leaf is like driving an Ipod


Who'd've thought...the Stig is onboard and the masses are showing signs of being won over too.


I even think this is a little dig at you know who:

Electric-powered vehicles were pioneered more than 100 years ago, so it's remarkable that the powers shaping human history have managed to conceal their advantages for so long.

Maybe that drive in the Tesla did do some good afterall.

 

[doug]

The Stig likes the Leaf...


Nissan Leaf is like driving an Ipod


Who'd've thought...the Stig is onboard and the masses are showing signs of being won over too.

Wonder how the Jalopnik folks would react to this review.

 

[TEG]

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100310414613489

 

[vfx]

Felt like a real car. The Volt is more massive and stronger off the line and the Think is downright anemic by comparison. I thought the acceleration was about 2/3rds of the pickup feel of a Roadster in Range mode but with a different longer curve added to it. If they applied Tesla's ramp up to speed it would be a hoot to drive. I think they went to conservative though. Overall though thumbs up and big kudos to Nissan for making this happen!

 

[TEG]

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/JustOneThing/thing-green-electric-car/story?id=11825991

(The Leaf video segues into a good Tesla spot.)

 

[JRP3]

to a Mitsubishi I-Beam

LOL. New model?

 

[JRP3]

Leaf enthusiasm http://finance.yahoo.com/news/First-Buyers-of-Nissan-Leaf-nytimes-1361061352.html?x=0

 

[TEG]

http://www.investingcontrarian.com/index.php/financial-news-network/getting-something-for-nothing/

 

[JRP3]

Good article until this point:

He did mention that one unanticipated problem had arisen. My ears perked up. Many wealthy Tesla Roadster owners in Los Altos Hills were impressing so many girlfriends with rides that they were requiring multiple daytime recharges, even though they promised to recharge only at night. Not only did this send their electricity bills through the roof, it was causing problems with the grid as well. I guess its all part of the teething process, a cost of making the great leap forward to the next generation. Who knew that Match.com would be involved?

This joke will possibly be picked up by detractors to show the grid is already inadequate. We don't need any more FUD.

 

[JRP3]

As predicted:

A few Tesla Roadsters in Palo Alto causing problems on the grid due to charging in the daytime! LOL, this electric car thing is going to work real well!

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/getting-something-nothing#comment-655417

 

[stopcrazypp]

As predicted:
http://www.zerohedge.com/article/getting-something-nothing#comment-655417

That the grid will go down because of plug-ins has always been a main point of BEV detractors (and the related claim that massive amounts of money needs to be spent to upgrade the grid to make it plug-in ready). They probably jump with joy with this kind of "evidence".

 

[TEG]

http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencarad...drive-shows-first-impression-wasnt-wrong.html