Nismo Gives Nissan Leaf a Sportier Look for Concept Car

TOKYO, JAPAN -- Nismo, the motorsports arm of Nissan Motor Co., at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show revealed its second road car concept – a sportier version of the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle.

The major elements of the kit are the front aero bumper, rear under protector, rear diffuser, extended side sills and 18-inch alloy wheels. The front bumper incorporates LED lighting, which is arranged transversely to create a sense of motion.

Extended side sills and the deeper bumpers front and rear emphasize the Leaf’s low center of gravity, made possible by the location of the car's lithium-ion batteries beneath the passenger compartment. Unlike the standard car, which runs on 16-inch wheels, the Nissan Leaf Nismo Concept has 18-inch rims with lower profile tires for added grip.

Nismo has left the Leaf’s electric drivetrain untouched. One of the features of the 80kW AC motor is the instant supply of full torque (280Nm). 

The Nissan Leaf Nismo Concept is not the first Leaf produced by Nismo. In April 2010, Nissan revealed the Leaf Nismo RC electric racing car at the New York Motor Show.