Nissan has already confirmed that it will have an upmarket version of the Nissan Leaf wearing Infiniti badges, but now a source at Nissan has confirmed to Inside Line that the company will use technology from the Leaf to create an electric sports car.
The source wouldn't go into any further detail on the project, but it's clear that Nissan has two potential candidates. An all-electric 370Z-E is the lower-cost route, or the company could make an ambitious run at a production version of the Essence Coupe.
For now we know this: Tesla's competition is right around the corner.
hybris says:
07:11 AM, 07/19/10
If the 370Z-E is AWD then I'd wouldn't mind owning it just for going to school and around town.
adb4 says:
08:09 AM, 07/19/10
Umm... What? If the idea is to use the technology from the Leaf (an affordable fwd electric compact), why would they try to make a rwd supercar? More importantly, wouldn't the technology required to make a superfast rwd sports car be significantly different from the Leaf hardware? Why not--as they've done with the Leaf--go with the more affordable fwd 2-seater or 2+2, a la the Audi TT or Peugeot RCZ?
inlinesix says:
09:59 AM, 07/19/10
adb4:
Where did you get "rwd supercar"? Or "superfast"?
stephen987 says:
10:06 AM, 07/19/10
Gee, that looks like a QuickTime logo.
adb4 says:
10:14 AM, 07/19/10
@inlinesix: I got those terms from use of phrases like "Essence Coupe" (mid-engine, rwd, superfast), "370Z-E" (rwd), and "Tesla's competition" (e.g., electric supercar, not an affordable coupe).
throwback says:
11:13 AM, 07/19/10
I think less 370Z and more Pulsar.
hollowtek says:
11:15 AM, 07/19/10
hopefully it'll be 'affordable'.
inlinesix says:
11:49 AM, 07/19/10
I think they'll go for a more affordable version of the Tesla or a FWD "sportier" coupe. Neither will be superfast. I mean what did Musk say about his company a few days ago... there isnt a big market for a $100,000 car right now?
rohith says:
11:50 AM, 07/19/10
@adb4: While the Tesla Roadster is priced like a supercar; by no means does the Tesla perform like a supercar. The Roadster S is 5 seconds slower that the Porsche Boxster Spyder around Willow Springs, according to Motor Trend. No one claims the Boxster Spyder is a supercar.
For about $60,000, you'll be able to get BOTH a Leaf and Z, so it's absolutely possible that Nissan could bring out an all-electric sports car based on the Z for around $50-60k that could compete with the Tesla Roadster.
mrhuangsta says:
06:31 PM, 07/19/10
@adb4 yea.....i don't think the nissan is any type of supercar..