• 2027 Nissan Leaf Nismo debuts in Japan as the new flagship trim.
  • It gets a redesigned bodykit but drops the fancy LED taillights.
  • Pricing opens at $40,500 and climbs to $44,400 for the top B7 trim.

Nissan has launched a Nismo variant of the new Leaf in Japan, positioning it as the performance flagship of the range. The fully electric crossover picks up a more aggressive bodykit, sportier cabin touches, a sharper chassis setup, and reworked electronics, but it gains no extra horsepower and, stranger still, misses out on the 3D holographic taillights that mark the top of the lineup.

Starting with the functional aero, the Leaf Nismo sets itself apart with a pronounced front splitter built around a “twin blade” design and Arteria Magma red inserts. Those red accents carry over to the mirror caps and the plastic cladding along the profile, which rides on a new set of lightweight 19-inch Enkei alloy wheels.

More: Nissan’s Most Expensive Leaf Yet Misses Out On A Key Feature

At the back, the Leaf Nismo borrows the smaller taillights from the entry-level Leaf instead of getting the cooler LEDs from the Platinum+ and Autech trims with their Z-inspired graphics. That is an odd call given where this car sits in the range and what it costs, since the flagship ends up wearing the cheapest lights in the family. The rear does at least get a unique ducktail spoiler and a lightly redesigned bumper with a red pinstripe to claw back some visual interest.

New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash

Nismo

The color palette runs to four shades and two bi-tone finishes with a black roof, combined with a stealthy black and red interior theme. Inside, the cabin gains Nismo badges, contrasting stitching, custom graphics on the digital cockpit, matte suede fabric, and synthetic leather upholstery, along with a set of optional power-adjustable Recaro buckets.

No Power Boost

If you were expecting a power boost to match the aggressive styling, you will be disappointed. Nissan has carried over the electric powertrain from the standard Leaf without adding a single extra pony, so the bodykit writes a check the drivetrain never cashes. The entry-level B5 Nismo uses a 53 kWh battery with a 174 hp (130 kW / 177 PS) electric motor, while the range-topping B7 Nismo steps up to a 75 kWh battery and a 214 hp (160 kW / 217 PS) electric motor.

More: Good News, There’s A New Mitsubishi Eclipse. Bad News, It’s A Rebadged Nissan Leaf

As with the standard model, the Leaf Nismo is available exclusively in FWD form, leaving the 4ORCE AWD system for the more expensive Ariya Nismo. Nissan engineers did add a bespoke Nismo drive mode for sharper accelerator response, along with Nismo-calibrated paddles that pull stronger regenerative braking, so the changes reach past the styling even if the output figures sit still.

New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash
New Nissan Leaf Nismo’s Ducktail Writes Checks Its Power Can’t Cash

Nismo

More importantly, the crossover also benefits from Nismo-specific chassis tuning, which is where the badge starts to justify itself. The modifications include new springs, anti-roll bars, swing-valve shock absorbers, reinforced subframe bushes, and a re-calibrated steering weight. Backing up the improved handling is a new set of 235/45 R19 Michelin Pilot Sport 5 performance tires.

Pricing And Market Launch

The Nissan Leaf Nismo is now available to order in Japan. Pricing starts at ¥6,601,100 ($40,500) for the B5 and climbs to ¥7,227,000 ($44,400) for the range-topping B7 with the Recaro bucket seat package.

Nissan has yet to confirm whether the model will reach other markets such as Europe and North America, though it seems plausible given the automaker’s plans to expand its global Nismo lineup.