The MY21 Nissan Leaf is now on sale, bringing new connected vehicle tech and a signature EV sound to alert road users.

The MY21 Nissan Leaf is on sale now

Nissan has always incorporated a form of alerting sound since the first-gen Leaf and the latest model will come equipped in Europe with a new Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) named ‘Canto’.

Created by sound designers and engineers at Nissan Japan as the signature brand sound for all Nissan EVs, but adapted for Europe at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe, it automatically activates at speeds up to 18mph.

It alerts both drivers and pedestrians around the car to its presence, complying with EU laws that make AVAS systems mandatory for all hybrid or electric vehicles sold from 1 July 2021 onwards.

But Nissan’s AVAS is also intended to not be alarming to pedestrians, residents and passengers, and to complement surroundings. It also varies in tone and pitch depending on whether the vehicle is accelerating, decelerating or reversing.

It’s one of a number of changes for MY21 Leaf, which as before will be available with a 40kWh battery pack for Acenta, N-Connecta and Tekna grades and 62kWh for N-Connecta and Tekna trims, bringing a range of up to 239 miles.

Other updates include Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention (IBSI) as standard. Nissan’s Intelligent Rear View Mirror (IRVM) is also available as an option on N-Connecta and Tekna grades.

Prices for the updated line-up remain the same, starting from £25,995 for the Leaf 40kWh Acenta.