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Nissan unveils aftermarket body panels kit for Nissan Leaf

Discussion in 'Nissan/Infiniti Hybrids and EVs' started by Rybold, Dec 22, 2010.

  1. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    I like it. :)
     
  2. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Best Leaf I've seen...even though it's a 3d drawing.
     
  3. Erikon

    Erikon Active Member

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    Have the people designing these kits EVER encountered a pothole?
     
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  4. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I always find it funny how at car shows they display all their concept cars HELLA lowered, even if it's like next year's Ford focus or any other POS. There's hardly ever any wheel gap. I'm not even exagerrating, look for yourself next time. Lmao, like Wth dude? Is it really going to look that cool? No!
     
  5. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    I like the look. It erases the fish-face of the original:

    [​IMG]

    For the most part, there is nothing really extreme here.
    Anything that reduces drag would increase range.
    Aero-wise, I see:
    * Body lowered ?
    * Full wheel covers +
    * Hidden wipers +?
    * Lowered bumper cover +
    * Splitter +
    * Side skirts +
    * Shaved handles ?
    * Window tint -- energy saving by reduced thermal load on AC?

    The oversize, low profile tires... probably more glitz than aero.

    Missing are rear wheel skirts. Can't tell what was done at the rear...
    a diffuser would be in keeping with the overall look.
     
  6. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Totally fish face. Or frog face.

    Anyways its a cool car.
     
  7. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Agreed.
     

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  8. priushippie

    priushippie New Member

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    The Leaf is the a real winner for Nissan and the world in general. The body panel kit is super!
     
  9. carbuilder

    carbuilder New Member

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    I couldn't agree more! The big question now is how much will it cost you to get a Body Panel kit?
     
  10. priushippie

    priushippie New Member

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    It probably will not be cheap, but coolness sometimes costs $.
     
  11. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    Now it looks like an electric car
     
  12. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Fish face?

    What are you talking about?
    Oh - you guys are full of it -
    how can you say the Leaf looks like a fish?!?

    . . .

    . . .

    . . .


    [​IMG]


    oh . . . . never mind there is a bit of polliwog and catfish goin' on there -

    :p
     
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  13. Skoorbmax

    Skoorbmax Senior Member

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    Looks good but I would never body kit a car, it's got to be the worst way to spend money ever.
     
  14. NYPrius1

    NYPrius1 Active Member

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    Looks Like a Volkswagen Beetle To Me :spy:
     
  15. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I can see the fish too -- I like it!
    No doubt someone is going to go and wreck the impression by making it shark lite.
     
  16. onegreenev

    onegreenev New Member

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    It is more like a Nurse Shark Face rather than a fish. But I sorta do see that KOI look as well.

    I love the new look and as soon as available I will do that for my Leaf. Makes it nicer and racier and way better look. No more fishy face or sharky face.

    It's about time.

    Pete :)
     
  17. mmcdonal

    mmcdonal Active Member

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    How about - Separated at Birth: Admiral Ackbar and the Nissan Leaf? Huh? Huh?

    [​IMG]
     
  18. mmcdonal

    mmcdonal Active Member

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    On a serious note, that body kit looks like it is for styling, and not mileage. Note the pronounced vertical "fins" on the outside edge of the bumpers. Wouldn't those cause unnecessary turbulence?
     
  19. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    Of all the after-market aero kit suppliers, Aero Style is most likely to
    actually deliver on claims of improved aerodynamics. They did kits for
    both Gen II and Gen III Prii that subsequently won MPG challenges in
    Japan. The kit was done for Nissan "Nismo," Nissan's custom/high
    performance subsidiary.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    By all outward appearances, Aero Style did a lot of things right on the
    LEAF kit:
    * lowered the leading edge of the front bumper cover so it aacts more
    like a splitter to minimize air getting under the car.
    * the "fins" forward are probably to shape the air passing down the
    side of the body. When air curves around the front bumper it can get
    chaotic which then gets further messed up when it passes the wheel
    wells. Better to send air at the front of the car up and over the top.
    * smaller side mirrors -- may not be legal in USA where minimum
    area is 25 sq. in.
    * full wheel covers
    * the extensions at the lower edges of the body keep high pressure air
    from spilling out from under the car, you want that air to get all the
    way to the back.
    * rear roof-edge "spoiler," to create a Kamm-back effect.
    * fins at the rear keep air from curling around the back and disturbing
    the air bubble that follows the car. Keeping the bubble intact results in
    the that went over and under the car rejoining at a point well behind
    the car. This creates a "virtual" boat tail and greatly reduces
    turbulence/drag.
    * although not visible, a different "diffuser" the underbody piece
    between the rear axle and rear bumper.

    Absent a redesign of the basic LEAF body, it appears that the
    Nismo Aero Style concept addresses virtually all of the "low
    hanging fruit" variety aero improvements save one, that being
    rear wheel opening skirts.

    At least at this time, it appears that the Nismo aero kit is only available
    in Nissan supplied OEM versions in Japan. I've seen nothing yet on
    availability in the US as OEM or aftermarket. The official Nissan site has a full
    discussion of the "concept," but makes no mention of availability.

    I'd like to be shown otherwise.