Nissan has launched a Nismo version of its Leaf electric hatchback on sale in Japan. 

Nismo is the Japanese brand’s performance badge, which the company says blends “race-bred performance with everyday drivability”, which is surely what the few people who have actually got their new third-generation Leafs so far have been crying out for. 

The suspension has been given a thorough working over by the clever Nismo engineers, with new springs, stabilisers and bushes. No idea what any of those do, but the ride is apparently firmer (very sporty) and the car turns into a corner much more keenly as a result. 

There are special standard fit sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres as well, which will help, and the engineers have even tinkered with the driving modes and regen braking levels to give them a bespoke Nismo feel. 

What you don’t get, crucially for a Nismo performance badged sporty version of a Nissan, is any more power – on the plus side that means no hit to the range, and you do get fancier Recaro seats inside and some fresh shades of grey inspired by Nissan’s racing efforts. 

The Nissan Leaf Nismo isn’t available in the UK, but if it does well in Japan perhaps they’ll consider sticking in a few dealerships – it does already have the steering wheel on the right side after all. 

Having driven the Nismo version of the Ariya though, I’d say it’s probably a safer bet to not buy the sporty Leaf, especially seeing how we much we like the standard car’s pleasantly relaxing ride. Let’s stick to the everyday drivability and leaf the race-bred performance then… 

The Japanese Leaf Nismo starts from 6.1m yen, which translates to just over £30,000 and orders are open already if you’re over there and happen to be in the market. Meanwhile a new entry level version of the Leaf was announced in the UK earlier this month with a 52kWh battery and starting from £28,849.