2011 Nissan LEAF Trims and Specs

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.

As the Leaf's premium trim, the 2011 Nissan Leaf SL electric car includes such standard features as a rear rooftop spoiler with an integrated solar panel, which recharges the car's lithium-ion battery pack while under way. Other standard features specific to the Leaf SL include a rear-view parking-assist monitor, a cargo cover, foglights, and auto on/off headlights. The Leaf SL's cabin seats five passengers and comes equipped with a Nissan navigation system, which enables drivers to find recharging stations locally, as well as view trip/route information and keep tabs on how far they can travel on the battery's current charge. In addition, owners can manage the car's climate control system remotely using a smart phone. A digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, tilt steering column, Intelligent Key system with push-button start, and six-speaker audio system with a CD player, MP3 input jack, and XM satellite radio also come standard. The driver's seat features six-way manual adjustment, while the passenger seat adjusts four ways manually.

A 48-module battery pack, located under the seats and rear floor, provides power for the Leaf's 80-kilowatt electric motor, which generates 106 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. Because the Leaf has no transmission and full torque available at all times, it accelerates quickly and smoothly, with a top speed of 90 mph. Owners can recharge the Leaf's battery in about 20 hours using a standard household 120-volt outlet and the included Trickle charging cable, or about eight hours using a 220-volt outlet. In addition, owners can arrange to have a dedicated in-home charging station installed, which recharges 80% of the battery's power in about 30 minutes. Drivers engage the Leaf's gears using a palm-shift drive selector located on the center console. Nissan's electronic stability control system, called Vehicle Dynamic Control, comes standard, along with traction control and antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. The Leaf rides on 16-inch alloy wheels and comes equipped with a tire repair kit.