2011 Nissan Leaf SV Trim Overview

The 2011 Nissan Leaf SV base electric car comes equipped with a number of features designed to ensure optimal efficiency of operation as well as carefree driving. Because the Leaf travels only about 100 miles on a single charge, Nissan includes a navigation system as standard equipment. The system not only provides route and driving-distance information, but also informs drivers of how far they can travel on the car's current battery charge and alerts drivers to recharging stations in their area. Initially, charging stations will be located in cities in California, Oregon, Washington, and Tennessee, with additional stations around the country in the coming years. The Leaf also comes standard with Bluetooth and gives owners the capability of turning on the car's climate control system remotely, while the Leaf is still hooked up a recharging station, to optimize battery power under way. Other standard interior features include a digital instrument cluster, Nissan's Intelligent Key system with push-button start, power windows and door locks, a tilt steering column, and a six-speaker audio system with CD player, MP3 jack, and XM satellite radio. The driver's seat adjusts six ways manually, while the passenger seat features four-way manual adjustment.

The Leaf's 80-kilowatt electric motor produces 106 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, and drives the car to a top speed of 90 mph. A 48-module lithium-ion battery pack, dispersed across the wheelbase under the front and rear seats, powers the engine. Regenerative brakes help recharge the battery. Charge times range from about 20 hours using a standard 120-volt household outlet to about eight hours using a 220-volt outlet to a few hours when using a dedicated in-home recharging station. The Leaf has no transmission, muffler, or tailpipes, since they're not needed. Drivers engage gears using a palm-shift drive selector located on the center console. Nissan's Vehicle Dynamic Control system with traction control and antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution come standard. The Leaf rides on 16-inch alloy wheels. It has no spare tire, but Nissan includes a tire repair kit in the standard package.