The Nissan Leaf is approaching its 11th birthday and a successor is not due until 2026 – but it is set to take a new direction.
The Nissan Leaf small electric hatchback is due to be replaced by an SUV in 2026 – but will continue to be made in the UK, according to overseas reports.
The UK’s Autocar magazine says Nissan has submitted documents to a government committee outlining the replacement for the Leaf will begin rolling off the production line at its Sunderland plant from 2026.
The Leaf – which will celebrate its 11th year on sale in Australia next month – remains one of the cheapest electric cars available, but offers a limited driving range of between 270 and 385 kilometres (WLTP cycle) depending on the variant.
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“The Leaf successor vehicle will enter production in 2026,” Nissan said in its documents put forward to a UK Government committee, Autocar reports.
The yet-to-be-named successor will be a small SUV, and could take its design influence from the Nissan Chill-Out concept revealed in 2021 (top).
Nissan currently sells a handful of UK-built models in Australia, including the Qashqai SUV, creating a precedent for the Leaf successor to be sold in local showrooms.
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