Nissan Indicates It Will Produce a Leaf NISMO If There Is Sufficient Demand | Carscoops

      A Leaf NISMO is not currently in development, but Nissan indicates that strong demand could make it a possibility.

      The new Leaf incorporates design and engineering elements from the Z sports car.

      A Nissan executive explains that the meaning of NISMO varies between Japan and the U.S.

      If there are enough customers, the company may produce a NISMO version of its electric vehicle.

      The latest iteration of the Nissan Leaf is here, and for the first time, it emphasizes the brand’s performance heritage. Its taillights, suspension adjustments, and steering are all inspired by the Z sports car. A Leaf NISMO is not yet in production, but Nissan has suggested that its creation is feasible if there is sufficient demand.

      Christian Spencer, a senior manager at Nissan USA, mentioned to Carscoops that NISMO has different implications depending on the region. “The NISMO brand varies widely across the world,” he explained. “In Japan, for example, NISMO has deeper connections with certain electric vehicles.”

      He noted that Japan already has a NISMO variant of the Ariya, while North American consumers typically associate the badge with models like the Z and GT-R.

      “In the U.S., we tend to be more focused on that, as the driving conditions are different,” Spencer clarified. “For instance, Japanese roads are narrower and have steeper inclines, so the interpretation of NISMO changes a bit.”

      Regarding a specific Leaf NISMO, Spencer remained open to the idea. “I can say we’re always willing to explore,” he stated. “I can’t discuss future products, but we are constantly looking into what interests our customers.”

      The crucial takeaway is that if enough people express interest, Nissan is ready to respond. As Spencer noted, “If we observe demand from our customer base, we will pursue it.”

      While this isn't an outright confirmation, it's certainly more positive than a simple “no.” Nissan has previously created NISMO versions of the Leaf for other markets, and given that this new model is inspired by the brand’s performance range, a sportier, sharper-handling electric hatchback would not seem out of place. The determining factor now is whether U.S. customers are numerous and vocal enough to warrant such a model.