Prepare Yourselves: Nissan Is Officially Making A Leaf Nismo

Nissan has confirmed it will offer a Nismo version of the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle, which it is due to be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month.

The brand showed off a concept sketch to the audience at a Nissan Futures event in Oslo. It might be the unlikeliest hot hatch ever conceived, but Nissan thinks that a Nismo model will help the Leaf’s appeal amongst younger buyers.

It’s not the first performance Leaf, although it’s a little more conventional than the last effort (the Leaf Nismo RC, below).

So, how does Nismo tune a Leaf?

Well, the concept image shows that the ‘racier’ version has wheels and a bodykit that are unique to that model. Some red trim pieces and blacked-out bonnet and roof add to the visual differences. And that’s about it.

Chances are that Nissan will base the Nismo model on the “e-Plus” version of the new Leaf. This adds higher capacity batteries and a higher output motor than the regular 40kWh, 110kW (147bhp) Leaf. That’ll make for more power and more performance - 0-60mph could dip under eight seconds - and a larger range of up to 225 miles.

We’re all going to have to wait until 25 October to find out more about this rather odd creation.