G12 AUTOMOTIVE THE CAR PAGES Warming to a cool technology T
he outside temperature was 27 degrees Fahrenheit. The air on this clear, moonlit night looked ice blue. It was the tail end of
the Christmas shopping season. The stores were open late. I could feelMary Anne’s anxiety. “It works in the cold?” she said. I assured her that the 2011 Nissan Leaf SL, arguably the first all-electric car that is a bona fide, reasonably affordable automobile, replete with nearly all the things American consumers have come to expect in and of automobiles, operated just fine in extreme temperatures, cold or hot. “Heat,”Mary Anne
ordered.My wife is fond of one-word commands, the result of decades of teaching elementary-school children. I turned on the Leaf SL’s heater, adjusting the
cabin temperature to 73 degrees. Immediately, the Leaf SL’s electronic range monitor, on the instrument panel directly behind the steering wheel, changed to indicate 65 miles of driving range, 12 miles less than a previously displayed distance of 77 miles. Mary Anne’s nervousness increased. She
suggested we turn back home, park the Leaf and take an available car with a traditional gasoline engine. I insisted that we stay the course in the Leaf
SL. “What if we run out of power?How do we get
back home?” she said. “No problem,” I said. I regaled her with tales of
my globe-trotting travels—how I could always find an electrical outlet somehow, somewhere to plug in and recharge the lithium-ion batteries of my laptop, iPod or camera and keep going. The Leaf, available as the base SV and the upgraded SL driven for this column, is the first all-electric car with a lithium-ion battery pack, much like the battery packs in laptop computers. Lithium-ion batteries are lighter and hold more power than the comparably sized nickel-metal- hydride batteries used in most available electric vehicles and gas-electric hybrids. I thought these factual nuggets would impress
Mary Anne. They didn’t. “You can always finish a column when you get
to a hotel,” she said. “This is a car. It’s freezing out here. I want to get home . . . tonight!” Therein resides the promise and problem of
all-electric vehicles. They make perfect sense for the kind of driving 90 percent of us do every day —round trips to work, shopping centers, school, medical appointments and houses of worship. Many of those trips are 40 miles or less. Fully charged, the Leaf’s 48 lithium-ion battery modules, snugly located beneath the car’s floor boards, offer a 100-mile range. Range, as indicated by the winter’s tale described herein, is affected by temperature, often negatively. The use of power-needy devices such as heaters and air conditioners has a similar
NISSAN
stations can reduce charge times to 30 minutes. All that might seem an unwelcome hassle to
the cheap-fuel-spoiled gas-and-go crowd. All- electric cars are not appealing to, nor are they ideal for, everybody. The Leaf, for example, is not the car for a one-
WARREN BROWN On Wheels
effect. But even in extreme temperatures and with power-consumption devices in use, most routine commuter round trips in a Leaf can be completed without worry. Fully recharging the car’s battery modules
using ordinary house current—115 to 120 volts —would take 20 hours. That means most Leaf buyers will wind up spending $2,200 to install a rapid-charge home charging station designed for Nissan by AeroVironment ofMonrovia, Calif., a technology company specializing in electric vehicle systems. The AeroVironment charger reduces the Leaf’s
charge time to three to eight hours, depending on the car’s state of charge at time of hookup. Sparsely available commercial “quick-charge”
car family, unless that family has a daily round- trip commuting routine of about 60 miles, or less —to allay any hint of range anxiety. But I really like this little car. So doesMary
Anne, who warmed up to it considerably after safely returning from our late winter’s night shopping trip. “So, hmm, looks like I could use this car to go
to school every day without worrying about pumping gasoline,” she said. An aside for the record:Mary Anne never
pumps gasoline . . . or diesel. I do that—always, every time, regardless of season or weather, even when her premium-gasoline-fedMini Cooper needs refueling. Mary Anne was referring to peace of mind.
Happily, the Leaf provides that for those of us worried about endangering our breathing and national security with unnecessary expenditures of gasoline. It’s not perfect. But it’s a darn good turn of the wheel in the right direction.
brownw@washpost.com
NUTS&BOLTS 2011 Nissan Leaf SL
Bottom line: The Nissan Leaf SL is a real automobile. That’s the first and most appealing thing about it. As an all-electric with a 100-mile range per full charge, it makes perfect sense as an everyday commuter vehicle, especially in traffic- congested city centers where mobile-source air pollution poses a genuine health risk.
Ride, acceleration and handling: The Leaf SL gets excellent marks in all three. Handling is surprisingly good. Credit goes to the beneath-the-floorboards location of the lithium-ion battery pack, which gives the Leaf a favorable center of gravity. All-electric vehicles are direct-drive machines in which power is sent to drive wheels without need of geared transmission. Torque is instant.
Body style/layout: The Nissan Leaf, available as the SV or SL, is a compact, front-wheel-drive all-electric sedan/hatchback (four side doors and a rear hatch). The SL comes with a cleverly mounted solar panel in the rear-roof air spoiler to assist battery recharging.
Engine/transmission: There is no engine or transmission. There is, instead, a 48-module lithium-ion battery pack powering an 80-kilowatt alternating-current synchronous electric motor moving the front drive wheels. Gasoline- equivalent output is 107 horsepower and 207 foot-pounds of torque.
Capacities: There are seats for five people. Rear seating room is unusually generous for a compact car, largely thanks to the below-boards location of the battery pack. You can pack a week’s worth of groceries, four boxes of miniature Christmas lights and three bags of pavement salt in the luggage compartment. Take my word for it.
Mileage: The Environmental Protection Agency gives the Nissan Leaf the gasoline-vehicle equivalent of 106 miles per gallon in the city (because energy tends not to be used in standstill congested traffic) and 92 miles per gallon on the highway. But those numbers are misleading. It’s best to use the miles-to-zero power range monitor when driving the Leaf.
Safety: Standard equipment includes ventilated front disc brakes front and rear, electronic brake-force distribution, four- wheel anti-lock protection, side and head air bags, and electronic stability and traction control.
Price: The base price for the 2011 Nissan Leaf SL is $35,240, including $700 for an optional quick-charge port and an $820 destination fee. Dealer’s invoice price on that model is $33,720. Please note that the recommended AeroVironment home-charge station, approximately $2,220 at this writing, is sold separately. Buyers of the car are eligible for a rebate of up to $7,500 from the federal government. Buyers of the AeroVironment charge station are eligible for a second rebate up to $2,000. Also, individual states are offering tax rebates to buyers of all-electric and gas-electric hybrid vehicles.
6 Nextweek: The reborn Dodge Durango SUV. 3
washingtonpost.com/cars: Search a database of past reviews, plus the latest auto news.
OPQRS
DC
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2010
JINGLE ALL THE WAY TO TOYOTATHON $0DOWN$
0SECURITY DEPOSIT
MANUYARIS $10,991
After Toyota $ NEW 2010 TOYOTA
AL TRANS, 4CYL, 2 DOOR #077118, #087044
1000 Rebate
CAMRY LE4CYL, AUTO #172433, #172495, #182042, #182305
NEW 2011 TOYOTA
$17,891 After Toyota $
1000 Rebate
COROLLA LE4CYL, AUTO, 4DR #070794, #070587, #081086, #081223
NEW 2010 TOYOTA
$13,791 After Toyota $
750 Rebate
CUBE 1.8S ALTIMA 2.5S SENTRA SR FRONTIER XE LEASE$ Model #21060
NEW 2010 NISSAN AUTO $10,897 $15,197 $12,397 $ Stock #041306, #041317 NEW 2010 NISSAN
Model #13110 Stock #046242
NEW 2010 NISSAN Stock #040113, #040055 Model #12210 NEW 2011 NISSAN 13,997
2WD • KING CAB Model #31011 Stock #147502
DARCARS NISSAN COLLEGE PARK 888-236-5043 | 9330 BALTIMORE AVE COLLEGE PARK , MD
NEW 2010 TOYOTA 4X2
VENZA4CYL, AUTO #174508, #159008
$22,991
NEW 2011 TOYOTA RAV-44CYL, AUTO, 4X2,
#164098, #164086, #153100, #153032
$18,995 After Toyota $
500 Rebate NEW 2010 TOYOTA #077922, #077908, #08P636, #08P640 After Toyota $
PRIUS II $18,991
AUTO, 4CYL, 4 DOOR 1500 Rebate
DARCARS NISSAN ROCKVILLE 888-805-5293 | 15911 INDIANOLA DR ROCKVILLE, MD
DARCARSNISSAN.COM | M-SAT 9-9 SUN 11-7
All prices & payments include all incentives & Nissan rebates plus Tax, Tags, Frgt, Cars $720, Trucks/SUVs $800 (preowned no Frgt) +$100 proc. fee. ***On select models only. Plus tax, tag, frgt. and $100 proc fee. Some rebates require financing through Nissan. See dealer for details. Offer expires today.
0%FOR UP TO AS LOW AS
A VERSAUTO • AC • HATCHBACK Model #11411
NEW 2011 NISSAN $10,897 $18,697 $25,897 $ Stock #145057, #145058
Model #22211 • Stock #141056, #141057, #141053
AUTO • AWD Stock #148001, 148006 Model #23211 AWD NEW 2011 NISSAN ROGUE
MURANO S XTERRA LEASE$ Model #24411
NEW 2011 NISSAN NEW 2011 NISSAN 4X4 Stock #148505, #148507, #148512 22,197 LEASE$
60 MONTHS** $0 SECURITY DEPOSIT
SIGN&DRIVE SPECIAL $0 DOWN
SR, AUTO • Model #12210 Stock #040013, 040055, 040136 PER
155
ALTIMA 2.5S 169
NEW 2011 NISSAN
AUTO • Model #13111 Stock #146003, 146013
PER MONTH
4WD-S • Model #22111 Stock #141056, 141057
ROGUE 199
DARCARS See what it’s like to love car buying
DARCARSNISSAN.COM | M-SAT 9-9 SUN 11-7
NEW 2011 NISSAN
PER MONTH
grad, Nissan lease loyalty and all other manf. rebates.With approved credit. See dealer for details.
39 mos. leases 12K miles/year. 1st month pymnt, taxes, tags & title due@signing. Incl. college
SENTRA
NEW 2010 NISSAN
MONTH
CELEBRATE NOW WITH TREMENDOUS SAVINGS! HURRY IN FOR BEST SELECTION! NEW 2011 TOYOTA
SIENNA $21,981
4 CYL, AUTO BASE #160292, #151415
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36 MONTH LEASE.
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$149/mo 2011 CAMRY HYBRID
DARCARS DARCARS TOYOTA OF SILVER SPRING
888-869-1610 | 12210 CHERRY HILL RD SILVER SPRING, MD
DARCARSTOYOTA.COM | M-SAT 9-9 SUN 11-7
888-828-7649 | 15625 FREDERICK RTE 355 ROCKVILLE, MD
355.COM | M-SAT 9-9 SUN 11-7
355 TOYOTA IN ROCKVILLE
$0 down, $0 security deposit, 1st month payment, tax, tags, freight, aq fee $650, $100 processing charge due at signing. Not all buyers will qualify. Customer is responsible for excessive wear and excessive mileage charges of $.15 per mile in excess of 36,000 miles. Offer ends 12/27/10. *All prices are plus taxes, tags, freight $650-$750-$800-$850 and dealer processing charge of $100. Leases are + taxes, tags, proc fee $100, freight $750 and acquisition fee $650. Offer ends 12/27/10. See dealer for details. %0 APR on approved credit. Offer ends 12/27/10. See dealer for details.
COROLLA SPORT4CYL, AUTO NEW 2010 TOYOTA 36 MONTH LEASE.
$0 DOWN FOR LEASE ONLY #071223, #070973, #081358, #081231
$119/mo
NEW 2010 YARIS - TUNDRA - CAMRY - COROLLA - PRIUS
See what it’s like to love car buying 0%
FOR 60 MONTHS
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AIR COND, CD, MP3, MESSAGE CENTER, KEYLESS ENTRY, ABS, SIDE A/B. Stk #212053. EXCL TAX, TAGS, AFTER $3000 FORD REBATE, $500 FORD MILITARY REBATE, $725 FGT
OR BUY MONTHLY
AVAILABLE WITH FORD CREDIT FINANCING ON SELECT MODELS WITH APPROVED CREDIT IN LIEU OF FORD REBATES. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. FORD CASH REBATE APR
FINANCING +
AUTO, AC, CD/MP3, ALARM, ABS, SIDE A/B & MUCH MORE. Stk #215004. EXCL TAX, TAGS, AFTER $2000 FORD REBATE, $500 FORD MILITARY REBATE, $725 FGT
AVAILABLE FROM FORD ON SELECT MODELS. SEE DEALERS FOR DETAILS. UP TO
NEW FORD All New!
$145 $17995 All New!
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DARCARS See what it’s like to love car buying 19 HYBRIDS, 2011
$22995 283 $
DARCARS SALE PRICE:
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OR BUY MONTHLY NEW FORD All New!
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NEW FORD
$211 $15995 195 $
DARCARS SALE PRICE: OR BUY MONTHLY OR BUY MONTHLY $30995
WITH SNOW PLOW AUTO, AC, ABS, LIMITED SLIP AXLE, ROOF LIGHTS, TOW PACK & MUCH MORE. Stk #207108. AFTER $5000 FORD REBATE, $975 FGT DARCARS SALE PRICE:
NEW F-250 4X4 SUPER DUTY
AFTER FORD $5000 REBATE
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F-150 - AUTO AUTO TRANS, AIR COND, ABS, ADVANCE TRAC, SIDE AB, 8’ BED, MORE. Stk #207202. 1 this price. EXCL TAX, TAGS, $925 FGT, $100 PROC CHG, AFTER $500 FORD MILITARY REBATE, $2500 FORD REBATE, $1000 FMCC BONUS CASH
$1000CASH 6000 FORD CREDIT BONUS$
60 mos 0% apr financing from Ford Credit Financing on select models with apprvd credit. $16.67 per $1000 financed regardless of down pymt. Man. rebates & programs subject to change. Pymts based on 72 mos financing thru SUNTRUST at 3.49% apr on apprvd credit w/20% down of sale price & incl $500 Ford Military Appreciation Bonus Cash & applicable Ford Retail Customer Cash listed & excl tax, tags, frght, & $100 dlr proc charge. Ford Credit bonus cash valid only w/Ford Credit Financing, subject to apprvl. Offers cannot be combined w/any other offer public or private & good on apprvd credit & include all manufacturer applicable rebates and meet conditions set by manufacturers on some incentives. Excl tax, tags, frght. Dealer not responsible for typographical errors. Expires 12/28/10 & supercedes previous ads.
1-888-822-4940 EXIT 20A • 9020 LANHAM-SEVERN ROAD, LANHAM, MD
DARCARSFORD.COM | M-SAT 9-9 SUN 11-6
DARCARSFORD.COM • ALL OFFERS LISTED DO NOT INCLUDE PROCESSING CHARGE OF $100 •
DARCARSFORD.COM
2011
2011
2011
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2010
FINAL DAYS
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