Nissan NZ refutes rumours of early Nissan Leaf 60kW/h release

Rumours of an April 2019 release of the New Zealand-new Nissan Leaf 60kW/h are unfounded.

EVtalk was informed that a Nissan dealer reckons they have confirmation they would be selling the version from April 2019.

But Nissan New Zealand managing director John Manley says the facts are they will release the 40kW/h Leaf version new here next year.

“The formal release date is yet to be determined,” he says.

“However, our original target was this financial year, which ends March 31, 2019.

“We still see this as practicable, however, given global demand for the new Leaf we are unable to be definitive.

“With regard to the 60kW/h battery version of the new Leaf, this variant has not yet had a global release.

“Obviously our dealers are very enthusiastic as to having the new Leaf in their showrooms and some may be getting a little ahead of themselves.”

Meanwhile, motoring.com.au claims it’s got the first 2019 Nissan Leaf 40kW/h to come Down Under for a preview.

It says Nissan is being tight-lipped on both the new Nissan Leaf’s Australia launch date and its pricing. “It’s also yet to confirm how many Leaf variants will be offered,” motoring.com.au says.

“We may have to wait until late in 2018 to have answers to all our Nissan Leaf questions – and almost certainly the local launch will roll over into 2019.”

The five-seater 40kW/h Leaf is reported to have around a 270km real-world range.