---
title: "Nissan Confirms Leaf Nismo for Production"
description: "Watch out, Tesla."
date: "2017-10-03"
modified: "2017-10-03"
authors:
  - name: "Eric Brandt"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/eric-brandt"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/14809/nissan-confirms-leaf-nismo-for-production"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Nissan News"
tags:
  - "compact"
  - "electric car"
  - "Electric Vehicle"
  - "EV"
  - "Future Cars"
  - "Hatchback"
  - "Leaf"
  - "NISMO"
  - "Nissan"
  - "Nissan LEAF"
  - "performance"
  - "Tokyo Motor Show"
---

# Nissan Confirms Leaf Nismo for Production

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/10/nissan-leaf-nismo-2.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

We might not have asked for a high-performance version of Nissan’s humble EV, but it looks like we’re getting one according to [*Autocar*](<https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/nissan-leaf-nismo-concept-previews-upcoming-production-version>). The [rumored Nissan Leaf Nismo](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/14255/nissan-is-thinking-about-making-a-nismo-leaf>) has just been confirmed for production at the Tokyo Motor Show along with the unveiling of a concept version of the car giving us an idea of what to expect from the production model.

https://twitter.com/_/status/914830435083079680

We don’t know anything about performance or mechanical improvements to the Leaf [Nismo](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/9745/nissan-planning-to-bring-more-nismo-models-to-market>) over the [standard model](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/14105/this-is-the-all-new-2018-nissan-leaf>), but the concept tells us a bit about the new aesthetic. While it looks decidedly sportier, it’s also a bit generic in its upgrades with a new body kit, different wheels, some red trim, a black stripe on the hood, and not much else.

The Nissan Leaf Nismo is not to be confused with the upcoming Leaf E-Plus scheduled to arrive in 2019. The Leaf E-Plus will have bigger batteries for longer range and a stiffer structure. Since a Nismo variant is coming to the regular Leaf, we would be surprised if the Leaf E-Plus didn’t get the Nismo treatment as well. Perhaps a Leaf Nismo RS?

The confirmation of the Nissan Leaf Nismo raises an important question: Are more Nismo cars in Nissan's lineup always a good thing? We’ve been pretty outspoken here at *The Drive* about [the current state of Nissan’s performance division](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/9628/nissan-has-turned-its-back-on-nismo-and-thats-a-damn-shame>) and how underwhelming cars like the Nismo variants of the Sentra and the Juke are cheapening the once-sacred badge. It’s hard to imagine the Leaf Nismo making that problem better rather than worse, but we’ll hold off on optimism until we get more details and have a chance to drive one.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/brandt004>)