New Nissan Leaf previewed by Tokyo concept

As for the next-generation Leaf, the new electric vehicle is due out in 2017 and may end up spawning a family of models just like Toyota’s Prius. Dubbed the Leaf Piloted Drive 1.0 Concept and based on the first-generation Leaf EV, the concept will soon will begin autonomous testing at the Japanese company’s Advanced Technology Center located south of Tokyo.

Nissan CEO, Carlos Ghosn has set a target date of 2020 for the release of a fully autonomous production vehicle that will be able to self-navigate from highways through to congested city streets.

According to Nissan, the newly developed technologies will make the “occupants feel as though they were in the hands of a skilled driver”.

Inside the boot of the Leaf Pilot Drive 1.0 resides the computer hardware that deciphers the information provided by the sensors.

Expect the driving range to be higher than the 107 miles that the latest 2016 Leaf offers.

This is a Nissan teaser for a concept to be shown at the Tokyo Motor Show later this week, and it hints at a few of the style for the next generation Leaf, writes Brian Byrne. Also, a new driver interface is featured in the prototype, including a heads-up display and a centre cluster that gives drivers a 360 degree view of the car’s surroundings when it’s in Piloted Drive mode. Check back with AutoGuide.com next week as we’ll be covering the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show live from Japan.