Nissan unveils game-changing all-electric minivehicle Sakura in Japan

on 20 May, 2022 at 10:49

Nissan today unveiled the all-new Sakura electric minivehicle in Japan. Named after the iconic Japanese cherry blossom, the Sakura’s affordable price (starting at approximately 1.78 million yen ($13,841) provides more consumer choice in the EV market. The 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. Sakura 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.

The Sakura EV takes the minivehicle class to the next level. Its nimble handling and 4.8 meter turning radius allows drivers to execute sharp manouvers 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.

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The 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 and on snow-covered roads that require smooth deceleration. Sakura’s low center of gravity enhances stability and offers superior ride comfort over uneven road surfaces.

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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.

As per Nissan Executive Vice President Asako Hoshino, the all-new Sakura follows the Nissan LEAF and Ariya as a mass-market EV. Nissan believes Sakura will be a gamechanger for the Japanese market and will make EVs much more accessible to customers in Japan. The charging port, located on the right-side back of the Sakura, lights up when the lid is opened to facilitate night time use. Sakura will be available in fifteen body colors are available, including four two-tone options that evoke the seasons. Scheduled to go on sale in Japan this summer, the Sakura is priced starting at approximately 1.78 million yen (including consumption tax and the clean energy vehicle subsidy).