Nissan is giving its original battery-electric vehicle a new personality. The Leaf Nismo went on sale in Japan this week and offers a notable upgrade in performance and handling, in line with more conventional Nismo packages. Headlight.News has more.

The world’s first mainstream battery-electric vehicle has never been known for performance, Nissan today largely marketing the 2026 Leaf as an affordable EV option.

But the latest-generation Leaf is about to get a new personality – at least for buyers who opt for the Nismo performance package. While the drivetrain remains the same, the 2027 Nissan Leaf Nismo will get a variety of interior and exterior upgrade, including a ducktail spoiler, revised suspension, sportier tires and unique driving modes.

Costing about 1 million yen, or $6,100, more than a more plebian version of the EV, the Nismo model went on sale in Japan this week. But it will follow in North America and Europe, according to Chief Performance Officer Guillaume Cartier. “It will be a global car,” he said.

What’s new

Initially launched in the 2011 model year, Leaf was the first long-range battery-electric vehicle from a major manufacturer. It helped kick-start EV demand but slowly lost momentum as newer, more powerful and longer-range alternatives came to market. A third-generation package was introduced for 2026 and introduced a new, more SUV-like design, as well as longer range and improved performance.

The Nismo package retains the same, single-motor drivetrain, mounted on the front axle it produces a maximum 214 hp, depending upon trim. It draws power from a 75-kWh pack delivering up to 303 miles per charge, according to the EPA. But Nissan claims it delivers about 20% better launch acceleration thanks to revisions made to the EV’s powertrain software.

True performance fans know that straight-line acceleration is only part of the equation, however. The Nism package rides on new Enkei-branded 19” wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires meant to enhance grip – albeit with some sacrifice in range. The suspension, meanwhile, has been updated with features like swing valve shocks to reduce body roll and improve handling.

Design tweaks

The Nissan Nismo package introduces a new ducktail spoiler and other flourishes meant to reduce aerodynamic drag – while also adding a sportier appearance.

The interior adopts a more dynamic appearance with new, well-bolstered Recaro-style seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel with a red center marker, and unique buttons to operate driving modes and e-Pedal braking. Add Nismo badging inside and out.

There’s even a different power switch and power-meter gauge.

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When, where and how much

The 2027 Nissan Leaf Nismo is now available in Japanese showrooms at a starting price of 6.6 million yen – or US$40,260 at current exchange rates. That’s about 1 million yen, or $6,100 more than a similarly equipped non-Nismo package.

For now, the Nismo edition is only available in Japan, and there’s a second, lower-performance version available, as well.

Longer-term, as Cartier noted, the plan is to bring the sportier Leaf package to both Europe and North America. Nissan certainly could use a boost. The automaker sold just 5,147 Leaf EVs in the U.S. last year, making it something of a market afterthought. During the first half of this year sales were a weak 1,684.

Leaf currently is Nissan’s only U.S. EV, the Ariya pulled from the market for at least the 2026 model year.