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Can the Nissan LEAF Drift?

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Drifting Nissan LEAF

Nissan vehicles are known for their exceptional drifting skills, and the Nissan GT-R even holds a world record for the world’s fastest drift. Japan’s powerful drift culture ensures that future Nissan performance vehicles will consider drifting performance in their engineering. That is true for the performance vehicles, but what about the everyday driving models? What about electric vehicles?


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Autocar wanted the answer to that last question, so they took to the drifting track with a Nissan LEAF. The zero emissions vehicle was equipped with plastic drifting tires in the rear, but other than that it was a standard production model. Matt Prior, Autocar‘s Chief Tester, took the Nissan LEAF to the track at the British Drift Championship (out of competition, of course) to see how it would perform. Take a look at the small-yet-mighty EV’s performance below.

The Nissan LEAF’s standard equipment meant that the test driver had to rely on his foot brake instead of the hand, or emergency, brake. Most drift cars also run the course at about 65 mph, and the Nissan LEAF cruised along at a leisurely 43 mph. Once Prior got the hang of how the car handled, he was able to complete several drifts. He remarked that it was a bit odd drifting in the Nissan LEAF because there was no engine noise to accompany the sound of squealing tires as the back of the car swung around the curve.


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Throughout the ride, Prior seemed to be having fun figuring out how to make the Nissan LEAF accomplish the drift challenges. He did end up in the grass, however, damaging the back wheel. To conclude the video, he says that the Nissan LEAF can indeed drift, as long as you don’t expect it to win any medals and you don’t plan on crashing it.

It just goes to show that it’s not so hard being green. In fact, it can be pretty darn fun.

News Source: Autocar