The Nissan LEAF has been named 2011 World Car of the Year, adding to the European Car of the Year title it picked up earlier this year.
The announcement, made today at the New York International Auto Show, saw the all electric Nissan LEAF see off competition from the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A8 to win the award, chosen by a panel of motoring journalists from Europe, North America, and Asia.
The jury's decision was explained in a statement reading, "The LEAF is the gateway to a brave new electric world from Nissan. This 5-seater, 5-door hatchback is the world's first, purpose-built, mass-produced electric car. It has a range of over 100 miles on a full charge claims Nissan, takes around eight hours to recharge using 220-240V power supply and produces zero tailpipe emissions. Its low centre of gravity produced sharp turn-in with almost no body roll and no understeer. It feels just like a normal car, only quieter."
Currently produced in the Far East, and available in Japan, the United States, and Europe, Nissan plan to extend sales of the lithium-ion battery powered LEAF globally over the next 12 months. Further production facilities for the LEAF will see it manufactured in Tennessee, United States, by late next year, and in the UK at Nissan's Sunderland plant by early 2013.
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