I think it has been the dream of many car owners to create a car that runs without making any sound at all. Finally, that seems to be possible in the upcoming Nissan Leaf, the electric vehicle coming out 2010. However, this car seems to too silent for comfort and safety. Engineers at Nissan are unnerved by it, so they are thinking of ways on how to enable the Leaf to make some noise. This is to address a road safety concern raised by some people.

According to them, the fact that electric cars don’t make any sound at all could be a big threat to pedestrians. Well, they have a point. The purring sound generated by the engine warn the people that there’s an oncoming vehicle, so if they intend to cross the road at least they can stop immediately on the sidewalk and wait for it to pass. But with the uber-silent EV, there’s no chance of that. Pedestrians, especially children, are likely to be harmed because they won’t have that kind of warning, especially those people who tend to be absent minded when they go out.

So, what are the options that Nissan has in mind?  The company presented the artificial sound of chime, the melody, and a futuristic whir to the National Traffic Safety Administration. Well, we hope that they make a good choice for all people’s safety.

Photo Credit: Baltimoresun

Have you heard of the Nissan Leaf? This is the latest of Nissan’s creations that has captured people’s attention all over the Web because of its features and what Nissan says are its capabilities.

According to Nissan, the Leaf is “The world’s first affordable, zero-emission car.” You might be asking, so what? Cars claiming to have zero-emissions are aplenty already, what makes the Nissan Leaf special? Well, this EV (Electric Vehicle) is a standalone model, developed from an entirely new platform with a one-of-a-kind design. This car is not just all for show. It has features that make it also great for everyday use.

It can go about 160 kilometers on a single charge. It has a lithium-ion battery and an electric motor that produces 107 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. Its engine is capable of springing to 90 mph, and on-the-go charging can be achieved by regenerative braking. When you stop, the Leaf’s battery can be charged to 80 percent capacity in a half hour from a high-output, quick-charger; a full charge from a special high-voltage home outlet takes eight hours.

Aside from being eco-friendly, the Nissan Leaf also has s great-looking and spacious interior that makes it ideal for family use. “The center stack is production and looks slick, but its smooth finish flush buttons may also be hard to operate by feel on the move. The digital instrument cluster display and the drive controller look well finished and inviting, as does the interior as a whole.” This is according to Autoblog when they had a test drive of the said EV.
Photo Credit: Autoblog