Nissan is studying customer demand for an all-electric Nismo performance model, according to company officials speaking at the new Leaf launch in Copenhagen.
Partha Bhagawati, Nissan’s European product lead, confirmed to EV Powered that the Japanese automaker is evaluating options for a high-performance electric vehicle. This comes as Nissan works toward electrifying 50% of its lineup by 2030.
The timing follows disappointing sales of the Ariya Nismo – Nissan’s current electric performance offering.
Platform Capabilities
The new Leaf uses Nissan’s modular CMF-EV platform, which it shares with the Ariya. This means any potential Nismo variant could use the company’s dual-motor e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system.
That powertrain delivers up to 429 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque.
“We’re still studying customer demand for an all-electric Nismo model, but nothing has been decided right now. The Leaf’s platform is definitely capable of being used for a performance model, as we’ve already done that with the Ariya – if there’s a need for it, we will do it.”
Balancing Performance and Practicality
Bhagawati stressed that any performance model likely wouldn’t carry the Leaf nameplate. The new Leaf targets mass-market buyers who need a primary family vehicle – not a weekend toy.
“The Leaf is a mass-market EV, and unlike the original which we designed as a secondary car, we believe this latest-gen will be the primary vehicle in the household,” he explained.
The executive highlighted a key challenge facing performance EVs.
“When you add performance to any EV, it comes at the cost of range. If we were to do anything, we would need to maintain that balance.”
The current third-generation Leaf offers up to 386 miles of range with its larger 75kWh battery pack.
Future Nameplate Speculation
Bhagawati’s comments have sparked speculation about which nameplate might get the electric Nismo treatment. Options from Nissan’s heritage include iconic names like GT-R or 370Z.
Industry observers are also watching the upcoming electric Micra. Nissan’s smallest EV shares its platform with the Renault 5, whose underpinnings also support the Alpine A290 hot hatch.
When asked about a potential Micra Nismo, Bhagawati remained diplomatic: “We can’t comment on any future lineups, but we are closely monitoring what our EV customers want.”
The company’s cautious approach reflects lessons learned from the Ariya Nismo’s market reception. While that model showcased Nissan’s electric performance capabilities, sales haven’t met expectations in key markets.
Nissan’s electrification timeline puts pressure on the company to identify which segments justify performance variants. The automaker needs models that can attract enthusiasts while supporting its broader EV adoption goals.
