News reports out of Yokohama

[EVDRIVER]

Electric power steering is very basic, it uses a torque sensor on the steering shaft and in the Toyota Yaris for example a very small motor under the dash on the steering column that directly assists. I have modified this system to work on an EV and it is some of the best steering out there. No pumps, no complex systems and it is VERY low draw.

 

[mwalsh]

A couple more. Don't any of these guys own cameras?:

http://www.completecar.ie/testdrives/article/Nissan/null/Leaf/386/112

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/all-electric-nissan-leaf-driven/250533

 

[EVDRIVER]

A couple more. Don't any of these guys own cameras?:

http://www.completecar.ie/testdrives/article/Nissan/null/Leaf/386/112

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/all-electric-nissan-leaf-driven/250533

One thing I keep noticing is that Nissan won't release 0-60 times and compares "thrust" to a 3.5 V6 which to me translates in 0-30 comparison not 0-60. I'm going to bet the Leaf has a 0-60 about 10 seconds at best due to it's potential high weight, more likely 11.

 

[Bicster]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oy0fJt4uc8[/youtube]

http://www.plugincars.com/first-drive-nissan-leaf-%E2%80%94-its-roomy-inside-even-tall-folks-38507.html

 

[evnow]

A couple more. Don't any of these guys own cameras?:

http://www.completecar.ie/testdrives/article/Nissan/null/Leaf/386/112

That should answer some questions ...

The first thing you notice is the torque. It is instant and pretty ferocious. Nissan wouldn't give us 0-100km/h figures just yet but it feels quicker than 10 seconds and because everything is so silent it is hard to judge how fast you are going.
.....
The steering has decent feedback and unlike some of the electric cars we have driven there was none of the harsh regenerative braking feel that makes you feel like the car will stop if you take your foot off the accelerator. The LEAF feels like a normal car to drive and one that anyone could get used to in a matter of seconds.

 

[Nubo]

A couple more. Don't any of these guys own cameras?:

Or stopwatches? :roll:

Or the curiosity to maybe engage Eco mode for a few minutes, for comparison? Sigh.

 

[evnow]

A couple more. Don't any of these guys own cameras?:

Or stopwatches? :roll:

But they have video cameras !

 

[mwalsh]

Or the curiosity to maybe engage Eco mode for a few minutes, for comparison? Sigh.

Yeah! Actually, I want to know if ECO mode can be engaged while the car is cruising. I would assume so, but until someone actually tries it........

 

[mwalsh]

This is basically a re-hash of Paul Scott's report. But there are a couple of pictures in this one that Paul didn't use on his blog:

http://www.allcarselectric.com/blog/1046216_nissan-give-test-drives-of-2011-leaf-production-model-feedback-positive-80-charge-in-30-minutes

 

[sjfotos]

From Nick Chambers:


My battery was about 30% discharged at the time I got in to drive. In my 20 minutes of driving the car, my estimated range went from a high of 116 km (72 miles) to a low of 60 km (37 miles). The readout changed every 5 seconds or so to recalculate a new range based on my real time driving conditions. Most drivers are not going to get much out of seeing that their range is fluctuating so much. In fact, that could be a pretty distracting thing.


http://gas2.org/2010/06/16/first-drive-nissan-leaf-its-a-zippy-roomy-well-designed-car/

 

[garygid]

But, the good part is that the miles-remaining would appear to vary with the current SOC, driving conditions, speed, and power usage.

That can be very helpful in selecting a speed and power usage that is more likely to get you to your destiation.

 

[evnow]

My battery was about 30% discharged at the time I got in to drive. In my 20 minutes of driving the car, my estimated range went from a high of 116 km (72 miles) to a low of 60 km (37 miles). The readout changed every 5 seconds or so to recalculate a new range based on my real time driving conditions. Most drivers are not going to get much out of seeing that their range is fluctuating so much. In fact, that could be a pretty distracting thing.

Yes - they should have that as a special mode - not the standard one. They should give the remaining kwh of the battery all the time ...

 

[evnow]

Some photos from gas2.

Yes, they do have 10 buttons on the left ... two of which are blanks :lol:

Under the hood ...

 

[mwalsh]

I've asked Nick if we could get full resolution versions of the interior and engine compartment pictures.

 

[AndyH]

Some photos from gas2.

Great - Thanks!

[/quote]

Crud - more caps! Windshield washer on the passenger side - but what's the one on the driver's side front?

 

[jsnable]

It sure looks like a radiator-type cap, with a pressure relief valve and overflow. Not only that, but there is another one in the back left of the engine bay :?: I know the battery is air cooled, but anybody know about the inverter?

Jay

 

[palmermd]

It sure looks like a radiator-type cap, with a pressure relief valve and overflow. Not only that, but there is another one in the back left of the engine bay :?: I know the battery is air cooled, but anybody know about the inverter?

Jay

He's referring to the black screw on cap closer to the front of the car.

 

[johnr]

From Nick Chambers:

My battery was about 30% discharged at the time I got in to drive. In my 20 minutes of driving the car, my estimated range went from a high of 116 km (72 miles) to a low of 60 km (37 miles). The readout changed every 5 seconds or so to recalculate a new range based on my real time driving conditions. Most drivers are not going to get much out of seeing that their range is fluctuating so much. In fact, that could be a pretty distracting thing.

http://gas2.org/2010/06/16/first-drive-nissan-leaf-its-a-zippy-roomy-well-designed-car/

A software update to incorporate an appropriate level of negative feedback in the calculation would attenuate the reading, solving that issue nicely. Hear that, Nissan engineers?

 

[jsnable]

He's referring to the black screw on cap closer to the front of the car.

It may be the reservoir for whatever those two overflow hoses send out... On a different note, nice to see all the Aptera refugees here! And somewhat depressing too.

Jay

 

[planet4ever]

Some photos from gas2.

Yes, they do have 10 buttons on the left ... two of which are blanks :lol:

I'm not sure they are all buttons. I remember seeing someone demo unlatching the "fuel input" cover (what's the right name for that?) by reaching under one "button" and pulling it out. I definitely got the impression of a purely mechanical cable to the latch.

I'll admit I can't see how you could do that based on the picture you show, unless you press on the top of the lever/button to get the bottom to pop out.