Nissan unveiled the all-new Sakura electric minivehicle in Japan. Sales of the newest addition to Nissan’s EV lineup are scheduled to start in the market during summer 2022. The Nissan Sakura EV takes the minivehicle class to the next level. Its nimble handling and 4.8 meter turning radius allows drivers to execute sharp maneuvers with ease. Despite its size, the Sakura has a spacious interior and an ample driving range, making it perfect for daily driving needs such as commuting and shopping. It also features ProPILOT Park, an automated system designed to make parking easier and driving more pleasurable. Named after the iconic Japanese cherry blossom, the Sakura’s affordable price provides more consumer choice in the EV market. Nissan Executive Vice President Asako Hoshino says: “The all-new Sakura follows the LEAF and Ariya as a mass-market EV. We believe it will be a gamechanger for the Japanese market and will make EVs much more accessible to customers in Japan.”
The Nissan Sakura is equipped with a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery that has a track record of performance and reliability in the LEAF. Thanks to the special stacking method of its cells, the battery is compact, allowing the Sakura to have a spacious interior. Yet it offers a range of up to 180 km (based on WLTC Japan cycle), making it perfect for daily use. The battery can also be used as a mobile power source during emergencies and provide a day’s worth of electricity to a home. In addition to the ProPILOT driver assistance system, the Sakura is equipped with the ProPILOT Park system – a minivehicle first. ProPILOT Park automatically controls steering, acceleration, braking, shifting and the parking brake while parking. These advanced technologies enhance driving ease and pleasure, from city streets and parking lots to highways. Scheduled to go on sale in Japan in summer 2022, the Sakura is priced starting at approximately 1.78 million yen (including consumption tax and the clean energy vehicle subsidy). Nissan will offer online purchasing options such as video chats and a dedicated website which will enable customers to choose from conventional face-to-face services all the way to full online orders from the comfort of their home.
The Nissan Sakura features the instant, smooth power and quietness that are the hallmarks of EVs. Equipped with advanced control technology and a motor producing 47 kW and 195 Nm of torque, the Sakura’s quick and steady acceleration makes merging on highways effortless. Meanwhile, the technology Nissan has cultivated through its development of the LEAF over more than a decade has enabled the Sakura to have the highest level of cabin quietness in the minivehicle class. Three drive modes – Eco, Standard and Sport – provide optimal performance for different situations. Using e-Pedal Step, the driver can decelerate smoothly and steadily by easing off the accelerator pedal – an action that also charges the battery through regenerative braking. The Sakura’s speed can be modulated using just the accelerator pedal. This makes driving more enjoyable on city streets, where repeated acceleration and deceleration are necessary, and on snow-covered roads that require smooth deceleration. In addition, the Nissan Sakura’s low center of gravity enhances stability and offers superior ride comfort over uneven road surfaces.
The centerpiece of the Sakura’s cockpit is a 7-inch Advanced Drive Assist Display meter and a large 9-inch. navigation display placed horizontally to allow viewing with minimal eye movement. The NissanConnect navigation system offers a range of features to enhance the Sakura’s driving experience, including route setting based on charging needs, an emergency SOS call service and Apple CarPlay wireless connectivity. The seats have a comfortable sofa design and are upholstered in luxurious fabric. Their horizontally positioned copper-colored trim gives the interior a modern look and a sense of roominess. The cup holders are designed to grip beverages to prevent wobbling. Ample storage space is available for daily needs. For example, the horizontal instrument panel center tray can hold a smartphone, a wallet and other small items. The twin-spoke steering wheel adds a sense of sportiness and the optional Premium Interior Package version comes leather-wrapped. Three interior colors are available: black, beige and blue grey.
