NISSAN has confirmed the evolution of its highly successful LEAF electric vehicle (EV) by launching two versions of the LEAF 3.ZERO.

Following a record-breaking year for Nissan electric vehicles, LEAF 3.ZERO brings to Europe’s best-selling electric vehicle a new eight-inch infotainment screen enabling additional connectivity services such as door-to-door navigation and an all-new and improved NissanConnect EV app will also be available when the LEAF 3.ZERO goes on sale in Europe.

The Nissan LEAF 3.ZERO e+ Limited Edition, priced from £36,795 including Government Grant, is also available to order now. This limited edition – of which only 5,000 units will be produced for Europe – features a higher output capable of delivering 160 kW (217 PS) of power; 340Nm of torque; and a longer driving range expected to be up to 239 miles from a single charge of the 62 kWh capacity battery.

Both 3.ZERO launch versions are flagship models for the 2019 Nissan LEAF, sitting at the top of their respective ranges.

At the centre of the LEAF 3.ZERO e+ Limited Edition is an Intelligent Power-enhanced high-capacity battery and more powerful motor.

On the road, the LEAF 3.ZERO e+ Limited Edition will deliver a 40 percent range increase over the LEAF 3.ZERO which is equipped with a 40 kWh battery. This represents more than 62 miles additional range for a comparable usage, a clear evolution of the LEAF.

Through innovative design and clever engineering, the new higher-power battery contains 288 cells compared to the 192 found in the 40 kWh equivalent. Even with a 25 percent increase in energy density and 55 percent increase in energy storage capacity, the Nissan LEAF e+ battery pack is almost the same size and configuration as the pack in the Nissan LEAF 40kWh. Other than a five-millimetre increase in the car’s overall height (based on 16-inch wheels), the car’s exterior and interior dimensions are unchanged.

With the more powerful motor, acceleration from 50mph to 75mph is nearly 13 percent quicker. This allows the LEAF e+ to confidently pass slower-moving vehicles, exit corners faster and merge seamlessly with fast-moving traffic. The top speed (97mph) has also increased from the 40kWh version by approximately 10 percent.

The launch of the Nissan LEAF 3.ZERO follows a historically strong year for Nissan electric vehicles, with the new LEAF performing particularly well. The new LEAF has been the highest selling EV in Europe for 2018, with over 40,000 cars delivered across the continent. The LEAF remains the world’s best-selling electric vehicle, with more than 380,000 units sold globally since the original car launched in 2010.

The LEAF 3.ZERO is priced from £31,095, including the £3,500 UK Government Plug-in Car Grant, with first deliveries expected to start from May, while initial customer deliveries of the LEAF 3.ZERO e+ Limited Edition will commence from this summer.