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JD Power Honors 2018 Nissan LEAF with Inaugural Engineering Award

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2018 Nissan LEAF

J.D. Power is handing out two new awards for achievement in engineering, and the 2018 Nissan LEAF is a winner. Taking home the prize for the Highest-Rated Vehicle Redesign for the 2018 model year, the all-electric, zero-emissions 2018 LEAF boasts the automaker’s signature V-Motion grille, an element absent from the 2017 model, and is equipped with a 110 kw AC synchronous electric motor with 40 kWh lithium-ion battery to generate 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque.


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“While J.D. Power has become known for benchmarking quality in all phases of the automotive industry for the past 50-plus years, we wanted to recognize the achievements of the engineers who translate concept vehicles into practical road vehicles,” said Doug Betts, senior vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power. “Nissan launched its first LEAF vehicle in 2010, and their engineers were able to utilize the lessons learned from that vehicle and successfully apply improvements to the redesigned vehicle.” 

The 2018 LEAF is available at three trim levels: S, SV, and SL and delivers an EPA-estimated electric range of 151 miles. It features a standard Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System and 7-inch information display. Smartphone integration is seamless with available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available Bose Energy Efficient Series Premium Audio System pumps quality sound through seven speakers. The available Intelligent Around View Monitor provides an expansive view of your surroundings to help prevent accidents.


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“This award is a credit to hundreds of Nissan technical
professionals here in the U.S., as well as in Japan,” said Chris Reed, senior vice president of engineering at Nissan North America. “Any vehicle redesign requires a massive amount of coordination across many functional teams, and I am very proud of the excellent vehicle this effort produced which has been recognized by J.D. Power.”