Nissan Micra EV, third-gen Leaf revealed

Nissan showcased its upcoming line-up of electric vehicles, including the next-generation Leaf and all-new Micra, on Wednesday. The Nissan electric cars will launch in Europe this year and will be joined by the Juke electric compact crossover in 2026. 

1. Electric Micra is built on a CMF-BEV base and has over 400km range
2. The Leaf uses the CMF-EV platform and now has a compact SUV-like high stance

Nissan Micra EV details

Battery and range

All previous-gen Micra models were combustion-engined, and one of them had launched in India, too. But in its fifth generation, the hatchback has become all-green, with 40kWh and 52kWh battery pack options; the larger unit promises over a 400km range on a single charge. Nissan did not disclose the power and torque figures.

Platform

The Micra EV shares its CMF-BEV platform and underpinnings with the Renault 5. Renault, which has an alliance with the Japanese automaker, will manufacture the zero-emission Micra in France. 

Exterior 

The all-electric Micra’s production version retains many design cues from the motorsport-themed 20-23 EV concept shown about one and a half years ago. Particularly, the Nissan logo-shaped circular LED headlights look very similar. “The beauty was that we were looking at something much cuter, with round, puppy-dog headlights,” our sister publication Autocar UK quoted Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan’s global design chief, as saying. 

A width-wide light strip on the front bumper has been replaced by a silver trim, and the wheels have a flat design (they were angular in the concept). The wheel arches get new gloss-black cladding, and slimmer outside rearview mirrors make way for traditional ones. Also, the electric Micra does not have a rear spoiler. Its interior was not revealed.

New Nissan Leaf

Battery and range

While battery details were not made public, the EV would have an over 598km range, Francois Bailly, chief planning officer of the global business at Nissan Motor Corporation, confirmed to Autocar UK. He added, “How long you can drive on a highway is key for us, which is why you see the beautiful shape with the aerodynamics. For us, it’s about practicality.”

Platform

The electric Leaf will utilise the CMF-EV platform, which is used in the larger Nissan Ariya. Nissan will manufacture the upcoming EV at its state-of-the-art Sunderland plant, which it claims is the UK’s largest car manufacturing facility in terms of volumes. 

Exterior

This is the first time Nissan has shown its third-generation Leaf EV in production spec. While the length has been slightly reduced compared to the older Leaf hatchbacks, it now has a compact SUV-like high stance. With a focus on aerodynamics, the new Leaf will have a lower 0.25 drag coefficient (Cd) to boost efficiency and range.

Nissan will not be bringing the all-electric Micra and new Leaf here. However, on the ICE front, Nissan India will launch a Renault Triber-based MPV and a Hyundai Creta SUV rival in 2025 and by 2026, respectively.