markp4200
Member
- Messages
- 331
Ref; my previous thread:
GT-R Track day - worth a go?
Whilst doing the video shoot, I took the opportunity of driving one of the first Nissan Leafs in the UK.
I can't make up my mind about the future now.
Always been a sceptic regarding hybrids particularly and EVs especially .....but I think the mainstream may have cracked it now.
The Nissan Leaf is genuinely a 'love it/hate it' style and I'm not totally convinced but from a driving point-of-view I do think it has a future. Interiors of cars are my thing (why else would I have a 4200?) and the Leaf has a very good interior; not in the mould of Germanic black but very much more Franco-funky! Comfort has been sorted very well and the drive is good ...no,.. very good!
Don't even think 'sporty' or anything remotely 'driver-orientated' but think of Focus/Golf/Megane and you are right to make comparisons. Here the Nissan has the measure of the others but the mileage range may be a problem for some. If the journeys are basically on the shortish side, it's not a problem. If it involves many 80+ mile trips then plug-ins are necessary, albeit a 30 min charge will give 80% of full-charge so not a problem for Motorway stops/top-ups.
It really does feel a lot like any other mid-size car to drive except that it is silent and well-sound insulated, and has huge urgency up to around 40mph, actually very quick indeed.
The future for EVs is not guaranteed, even with a £5K Gov't subsidy the list price is high, but as the technology becomes widely used, so the costs will reduce. There are limits on the market dues to the range, but given virtually free running costs, the
outlay is not so much for a very good car.
Now that was me looking at it from an everyday car point-of-view.
As a Maserati driver, there is no substitute for the adrenaline rush of hearing the V8. There is no immediate threat to us and our loves from the EV; I think Tesla have proved that. But there will be changes and the environment in which we enjoy our driving will be very different in 10 years time.
GT-R Track day - worth a go?
Whilst doing the video shoot, I took the opportunity of driving one of the first Nissan Leafs in the UK.
I can't make up my mind about the future now.
Always been a sceptic regarding hybrids particularly and EVs especially .....but I think the mainstream may have cracked it now.
The Nissan Leaf is genuinely a 'love it/hate it' style and I'm not totally convinced but from a driving point-of-view I do think it has a future. Interiors of cars are my thing (why else would I have a 4200?) and the Leaf has a very good interior; not in the mould of Germanic black but very much more Franco-funky! Comfort has been sorted very well and the drive is good ...no,.. very good!
Don't even think 'sporty' or anything remotely 'driver-orientated' but think of Focus/Golf/Megane and you are right to make comparisons. Here the Nissan has the measure of the others but the mileage range may be a problem for some. If the journeys are basically on the shortish side, it's not a problem. If it involves many 80+ mile trips then plug-ins are necessary, albeit a 30 min charge will give 80% of full-charge so not a problem for Motorway stops/top-ups.
It really does feel a lot like any other mid-size car to drive except that it is silent and well-sound insulated, and has huge urgency up to around 40mph, actually very quick indeed.
The future for EVs is not guaranteed, even with a £5K Gov't subsidy the list price is high, but as the technology becomes widely used, so the costs will reduce. There are limits on the market dues to the range, but given virtually free running costs, the
outlay is not so much for a very good car.
Now that was me looking at it from an everyday car point-of-view.
As a Maserati driver, there is no substitute for the adrenaline rush of hearing the V8. There is no immediate threat to us and our loves from the EV; I think Tesla have proved that. But there will be changes and the environment in which we enjoy our driving will be very different in 10 years time.
