Twin-Motor, 304 HP Test Drivetrain Unleashes the Nissan Leaf Demons

The nameplate became earlier this year the first EV in history to climb over the 400,000 units sold globally, and despite the onslaught of new EVs coming our way, it's likely to lead the pack for some time more.

But not if it doesn't improve on itself. And this is precisely what Nissan plans to do for both the Leaf and the future, brand new models it is working on.

Taking advantage of the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show now in full swing in the Japanese capital, Nissan said this week a new electric drivertrain is in the works. One that will give its EVs all-wheel-drive control, and more power than dreamed possible.

The new drivetrain has already been fitted on a Leaf e+ for testing purposes, turning the vehicle in the test car on which the technology would mature. Nissan did not say when the R&D on the system would be completed.

As is, the twin electric motors powering the two axles develop a combined power of 227 kilowatts, or roughly 304 hp, and a peak torque of 680 Nm. Because it is aided by a new motor control system, the drivetrain should provide the test car with "highly responsive, yet uncommonly smooth, acceleration."

"Soon, Nissan will launch a next-generation EV that will be a true breakthrough," said in a statement Takao Asami, senior vice president for research and advanced engineering at Nissan.

"The new electric-drive four-wheel-control technology now being developed integrates Nissan's electric propulsion and 4WD control technologies with our chassis control technology to achieve a huge leap in acceleration, cornering and braking performance, on par with the latest sports cars."

Full details released so far by the Japanese can be found in the press release section below.