(Posted on Apr 12, 2019 at 01:56PM by Michelle Bogle)
This week in Detroit, the 2018 Nissan Leaf was recognized as the highest rated redesign at the inaugural J.D. Power Engineering Awards, which were presented at the Society of Automotive Engineers 2019 WCX World Congress Experience.
"This award is a credit to [the] hundreds of Nissan technical professionals here in the U.S., as well as in Japan," said Chris Reed, Senior VP of Engineering at Nissan North America, in a press release. "Any vehicle redesign requires a massive amount of coordination across many functional teams, and I am very proud of the excellent vehicle this effort produced, which has been recognized by J.D. Power."
Within the automotive industry, J.D. Power has cemented itself as the authority for benchmarking quality. With their new Engineering Awards, they are able to recognize the achievements of innovators who turn concept vehicles into practical modes of transportation. The Leaf is a prime example – since its release in 2010, the all-electric car’s engineers have been able to utilize the lessons learned from each generation and apply that education to the Leaf’s latest redesign, which will see the release of a PLUS version later this year.
To learn more about the Leaf’s engineering excellence or to inquire about the forthcoming Leaf PLUS, contact Kirkland Nissan in Seattle, Washington, today.
(Posted on Oct 17, 2018 at 02:18PM by Michelle Bogle)
One year ago, the Nissan Leaf made its way across the pond to the European market – and to say that it has been a sales success is an understatement. Since its release, the Leaf has gone on to sell 26,000 units, topping the charts for the first eight months. According to the automaker, that equates to one unit sold every minute across the continent!
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The 2018 Leaf has been most popular in markets, such as Austria, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. But, in Norway, the Leaf has become the top-selling passenger car of the year, outclassing all electric and combustion-powered models alike. Talk about an achievement!Â
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Many European commercial operations have also been buying up the EV to fill the need for eco-friendly, low-cost fleet vehicles. Not only will this save businesses a considerable amount on fuel with the Leaf’s zero-emission performance, but the plug-in is also affordable to maintain and keep on the road with no need for oil changes or spark plug replacements.
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If you’ve been considering the Leaf as your next vehicle, now has never been a better time to get behind the wheel. At Kirkland Nissan in Seattle, Washington, our inventory is stocked with many 2018 models – and we are also eagerly awaiting 2019 models. To learn more about this best-selling EV, contact our team to discuss pricing and specs.
(Posted on Aug 30, 2018 at 12:21PM by Michelle Bogle)
Commuting into the city comes with its perils – congestion, accidents, road closures and detours. By the time you make it to the office, your nerves are shot. You just want to park your vehicle and leave your bad drive behind you. But, what if your nightmare has just begun? Tight underground garages and parallel parking spots can be downright frightful in Seattle.
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Allow the 2018 Nissan Leaf to deliver some solace. The top-of-the-line SL trim comes equipped with an Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM), which acts as a second set of eyes to help you navigate the most difficult maneuvers.
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This four-camera system works by creating a virtual composite 360-degree bird's-eye view of the Leaf and its surrounding environment. To see what and where you need to see, the display automatically shows front, rear and curbside split-screen views.Â
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For example, when you shift into reverse to start backing in, the split-screen display provides images of the rear view and the overhead. Colored lines also help guide you into the spot and gauge the distance between the Leaf and other obstacles. When you shift the car back into drive, the display automatically switches to the front view image.
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Make your commute stress-free in the 2018 Leaf. To schedule your test drive in an SL model, contact our team at Kirkland Nissan to book an appointment.
(Posted on Aug 24, 2018 at 03:54PM by Michelle Bogle)
Switching from a gas-powered vehicle to an all-electric one can come with an accompanying list of worries. Drivers often wonder if they will feel hindered by range limitations or inconvenienced with regular chargings.Â
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But in a 2018 Nissan Leaf, you can set these concerns aside. Not only does this model deliver incredible range and battery power, but it was also voted a top mainstream EV car in the AutoPacific 2018 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSAs).Â
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Hosted annually, the VSAs identify the most satisfying automobiles available on the market. The results are based on survey responses from over 58,000 owners of new 2017 and 2018 model year cars and light trucks in a range of segments.Â
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This was the first win for the Nissan Leaf in the mainstream EV category, which just so happens to coincide with the vehicle’s latest enhancements that help it drive farther, better and smarter than ever before.Â
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Now available on all 2018 Leaf models is ProPilot Assist, which aids in stop-and-go traffic by allowing the vehicle to control the acceleration, braking and steering during single-lane highway driving. The EV also delivers an increased range of up to 150 miles and incorporates standard Nissan Intelligent Mobility features, such as Automatic Emergency Braking and e-Pedal technology. All of these enhancements provide a more satisfying ownership experience, making the Leaf a solid new vehicle choice for Seattle shoppers.
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What more assurance do you need? Contact our team at Kirkland Nissan to schedule your test drive in the award-winning 2018 Leaf today!
(Posted on Aug 1, 2018 at 01:44PM by Michelle Bogle)
The all-new Nissan Leaf NISMO launched in Japan yesterday and industry insiders and EV fans have been buzzing with chatter about the vehicle’s sporty looks and higher performance. It has many hoping to see one on North American soil soon; but, that hope is far-fetched since Nissan doesn’t have plans to roll-out the Leaf NISMO to international markets.
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However, the automaker has released more footage of the all-electric supercar, giving fans a closer glimpse at its artful design and on-road performance. Have a look here:
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The Leaf NISMO rides on sparkling 18-inch aluminum wheels, which have been custom-designed to limit air resistance, while the characteristic layered double wings improve the vehicle’s downforce without compromising drag coefficient. Inside, slick red accents and a sporty three-spoke steering wheel give the Leaf an athletic feel, along with the custom carbon and chrome finishes on the instrument panel.
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Nissan also updated the Leaf NISMO’s ride quality with a custom suspension system, which has been tuned for comfort. An internal computer also allows for stronger acceleration responses, which is supported by an electric power steering system and Intelligent Trace Control for better stabilization while cornering.Â
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Wish you could test drive the Leaf NISMO? We wish you could too. Alas, the closest experience you can get on Seattle ground is the 2018 Leaf. To schedule your test drive, contact our team at Kirkland Nissan today.
(Posted on Jul 27, 2018 at 03:55PM by Michelle Bogle)
Earlier this year, we shared a story about a Polish traveler named Arkady Paweł Fiedler, who took a Nissan Leaf on a first-ever EV expedition across Africa. The trip was documented as part of the Electric Explorer African Challenge 2018 with photography by Albert Wójtowicz, who joined Fiedler on his trip.
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Just this week, Nissan shared another story of a globetrotting Leaf EV. This time, Polish adventurer, Marek Kamiński, recently completed a two-month journey in the plug-in vehicle, driving 13,000 kilometers from Poland to Dongfeng Nissan's Intelligent Mobility Experience Center in Beijing. He made stops through Kaliningrad, Lithuania, Russia and Siberia, Mongolia, China, and South Korea.
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Kamiński's project, known as the No Trace Expedition, was created as a way to bring awareness to electric vehicles and how they are well-designed to travel long distances beyond their traditional urban confines. As an environmentalist, the adventurer’s project also highlighted the benefits of all-electric powertrains and their positive effects on the earth.
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The 2018 Leaf’s extended range of 150 miles made it easier for KamiÅ„ski to complete his passage, along with the vehicle’s latest tech, like ProPILOT Assist, which is an advanced autonomous driver assist feature.Â
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"I've been using ProPILOT on new Nissan Leaf, and it worked perfectly under all kinds of driving conditions during the expedition," said Kamiński in the press release. "The Nissan ProPILOT is energy-saving for long-distance driving. Of course, I still prefer to drive on my own, so I only activate the Nissan ProPILOT when I need some rest."
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Where will the Leaf travel to next? Anywhere is possible! If you’d like to hit the open road in the world’s best-selling EV, contact our team at Kirkland Nissan in Seattle, Washington, for a test drive.
(Posted on Jul 25, 2018 at 03:23PM by Michelle Bogle)
Ever wish you could ditch your bike or the long walk home from the store and hop into a Nissan Leaf all-electric vehicle for a short ride? Well, if you lived in Japan, this is now a possibility.
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According to a recent Nissan Global press release, the automaker is expanding their e-share program, known as Mobi, to 100 new locations in Japan through a partnership with home goods retailer, Kohnan Shoji Co., Ltd. This service allows customers to order and rent a Nissan Leaf or Note e-Power vehicle for short periods of time – as little as 15 minutes.
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This expansion of the e-sharing program is designed to provide consumers with added convenience, especially if they do not own a vehicle to transport larger items home. It’s also a way for the automaker to promote their all-electric powertrains and advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies to new customers, including ProPilot Assist, which is a semi-autonomous driving system.
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For now, Nissan doesn’t have plans to extend its e-share program to global markets, but they do intend to expand Mobi to 500 locations across the country by the end of the current fiscal year, as part of their M.O.V.E. plan for 2022.Â
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Curious to learn more? If you are traveling to Japan in the near future, you can take the e-sharing program for a spin. Otherwise, contact our team at Kirkland Nissan in Seattle, Washington, to schedule your test drive in a 2018 Leaf.