Part of the problem of getting the ever-thrill-seeking youths to buy the Nissan Leaf was, apparently, the non-aggressive nature of the car. Nissan is looking to change this by supposedly upping the aggro on the new Leaf with a Nismo version of it. Update: this post has been updated with an official Nissan statement and photos.
A photo of the Nissan Leaf Nismo concept was shown at Nissan Futures event. You can see a black hood, a puffed out front bumper, sculpted side skirts and different wheels.
Autocar, which was at the event, noted that Nissan design chief Alfonso Albaisa said that Nissan would make a “racier” Nismo version of the Leaf in order to “help the second-gen hatch reach image-conscious buyers—something its predecessor struggled to do.”
From the story:
“The previous Leaf’s design wasn’t popular, so its look couldn’t contribute to sales,” he said. “The new car is lower, wider and sportier, with the point of this design being to get greater accessibility of the market.
It’s unclear if the production version Leaf Nismos would benefit from engine upgrades as well, or just the aesthetic ones seen in the Tweet above.
We already know that Nissan is looking to double its yearly Leaf deliveries with the new model. And that it will try and spice up its lineup with more Nismo offerings. Perhaps this is one of the ways the company is going to try and accomplish those goals.
When tapped for comment, a Nissan rep responded, “A concept car design rendering was shown at an event in Europe. We have made no announcement on production plans for such a vehicle.”
Update Oct. 3, 2:35 p.m.: An official Nissan press release states that the Leaf Nismo would have improved aerodynamics, a sport-tuned suspension and performance tires. Additionally, it would have a “custom-tuned computer that delivers instant acceleration at all speeds.”
Sounds just peachy.