Japanese car-makers, Nissan unveiled the new generation Leaf electric vehicle in Japan earlier this month. While the first generation, which was launched in 2010, managed to sell almost 3 lakh units globally, Nissan is hoping for more this time with the new Leaf. How you ask? Nissan has heavily invested in the new technology and innovations which the company says will give its opponents a run for its money. The company boasts of groundbreaking technology and innovations that makes the new Leaf even better than its predecessor. We take a look at the autonomous features that makes the new Nissan Leaf a force to reckon with in the electric vehicle segment.
Also Read: Nissan Leaf Electric Car Unveiled; Gets Autonomous Tech And A Range Of 400 Km
The new Nissan Leaf is offering advanced technology to the growing market for mainstream electric vehicles. With 'Nissan Intelligent Driving', the new Leaf is more connected to its driver with 3 unique features that the company says will change the way we drive. These include ProPilot, ProPilot Park and e-Pedal.
(2018 Nissan Leaf)
Hiroki Isobe, Chief Vehicle Engineer, Nissan Motor Company said, "Drivers of the new Nissan Leaf will quickly come to love the e-Pedal, as it makes the usual experience of urban driving far smoother and more fluid, and less demanding. Our testing has showed that drivers quickly find the e-Pedal intuitive and even enjoyable. It promotes anticipation on the road, which in turn has a positive effect on driving pleasure."
Also Read: 2018 Nissan Leaf: All You Need To Know
The ProPilot feature is a single-lane autonomous driving technology that can automatically control the distance to the vehicle in front, using a speed fixed by the driver. It can also help the driver navigate and keep the vehicle in its lane. If the car in front stops, the ProPilot system will automatically apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to a full stop. The car will then resume driving when the switch is activated again or on lightly pressing of the accelerator. Nissan says that this function can significantly reduce stress when driving on the highway in both heavy and flowing traffic.
(2018 Nissan Leaf)
The next feature is the ProPilot Park. This is a fully fledged system that helps the driver's to park automatically controlling acceleration, brakes, handling, shift changing and parking brakes to guide the car into a parking spot. By combining four high-resolution cameras and information from 12 ultrasonic sensors around the car, the ProPilot Park guides the car into a space accurately. All steering, braking and throttle inputs are automated.
(2018 Nissan Leaf)
The system can automatically identify a parking space around the car so that the driver doesn't need to set a target parking position. Requiring only three easy steps for activation, this technology liberates drivers from one of the most tedious, and at times the most challenging, tasks of driving.
(2018 Nissan Leaf)
Another innovation that enhances the Nissan Leaf's driving experience is the e-Pedal, offered as standard equipment. This feature allows the driver to start, accelerate, decelerate, stop and hold the car by using the accelerator pedal alone. Nissan has high hopes from the e-Pedal feature as it can change the way people drive. By simply releasing the accelerator, the car will come to a smooth and complete stop and hold without the need to press the brake pedal. The e-Pedal eliminates the need for drivers to constantly move their foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal to slow down or stop. This helps reduce fatigue.
(2018 Nissan Leaf)
According to a study conducted by Nissan, the Leaf's e-Pedal reduces the number of times the driver must apply the brakes while commuting in heavily congested traffic. While the conventional brake pedal must be used in aggressive braking situations, the e-Pedal lets drivers use a single pedal for more than 90 per cent of their driving needs.
Also Read: Nissan To Commence Leaf Electric Car Pilot Run This Year In India
Along with ProPilot, ProPilot Park and e-Pedal, the new Nissan Leaf is equipped with a set of advanced safety technologies including Intelligent Lane Intervention, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Intelligent around view monitor with moving object detection and Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication.
(2018 Nissan Leaf)
The new Nissan Leaf goes on sale on October 2 in Japan, while the deliveries for the U.S., Canada and European markets will start from January next year. While the Leaf is sold in more than 60 markets worldwide, Nissan is hoping to bring in the new Leaf to India as well, with dry runs to commence by end of this year to check if it is feasible to launch an electric vehicle in India.
