News Electric vehicle advocate Osher Günsberg delighted by the new Nissan LEAF

Sydney, Australia – Podcaster, author, Network TEN host of The Bachelor and Nissan LEAF owner, Osher Günsberg, has driven the new second-generation Nissan LEAF and was astonished by how good it is to drive.

Proud owner of three LEAFs since 2011, including two in the USA, Günsberg has been a LEAF enthusiast and passionate electric vehicle advocate well before it went on sale here in 2012.

Ahead of its arrival in Australia mid-next year, Günsberg was given the keys to the new Nissan LEAF to try it for himself. The result left him impressed.

“Driving the new Nissan LEAF was incredible,” said Osher Günsberg.

“This is the fourth version of Nissan LEAF that I’ve driven, so I am well aware of the package, but the developments on this are amazing.

“The range is greater, the power and drive impressive, and the assortment of safety technology truly astonishing. Then there is the e-Pedal, which offers a brand new driving experience.

“The LEAF was truly something, and so much fun to drive. So much fun.”

Günsberg, who hosted a Nissan electrification media call in Sydney today, wanted to play a role in the event given his love of the Nissan LEAF and his commitment to clean, environmentally friendly living.

While he has been a believer in electric mobility for many years, working with Nissan allowed him to not only spruik about the advantages of electric vehicles but help influence governments and more in the community to support the future of transport.

“But I also want government to commit to the infrastructure to support this and for more people to get behind LEAF and electrification.

“As far as air quality goes it’s the right choice for the community. As far as noise pollution goes it’s the right choice for the community.

“I’ve been overseas and seen the extraordinary EV infrastructure and it’s not hard to do.”

With the new Nissan LEAF arriving next year, Günsberg is excited about the progress from generation to generation.

“What excites me the most, considering I’ve been driving a Nissan LEAF since 2011, is in this short amount of time, the incredible leaps of energy density within the battery pack,” said Günsberg.

“It’s incredible what Nissan has achieved in five years, can you imagine where we will be in five more years?

“It is unbelievable the innovation that takes place, it’s at the cutting edge of innovation and design, it’s so exciting.”

Given his enthusiasm towards LEAF, environment and sustainability, and the electric future of motoring, Nissan felt Günsberg was the perfect person, to host the event.

“It’s rare to find someone with a profile who is so believing of a product and is desperate to align themselves with it,” said Nissan Australia managing director, Stephen Lester.

“Osher’s passion for Nissan LEAF and electric vehicles is obvious, as too is his desire to not only influence government infrastructure policy and support, but to inspire more Australians to consider this product, is commendable. 

The Nissan LEAF is the world’s best-selling electric vehicle with over 360,000 global sales.

With a more powerful 40kWh battery and a real world driving range of up to 270kms (WLTP combined cycle^#), the new Nissan LEAF has an improved 110kW of power – up 38 per cent versus the outgoing model – and 320Nm or torque, an increase of 14 per cent over the first generation, making driving exhilarating.

Charging times*, depending on the charging connection, range between 24 hours to a less than 60 minute fast charge.

The New Nissan LEAF is packed with Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) technologies including Intelligent 360 degree Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking – with Pedestrian Protection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent Cruise and Trace Control and Intelligent lane Intervention.

Nissan is committed to making transportation safer, smarter and more enjoyable, and it is Nissan Intelligent Mobility that will help to achieve this. NIM encompasses three core areas of innovation: how our cars are powered (Nissan Intelligent Power), how they are driven (Nissan Intelligent Driving) and how they are integrated into society (Nissan Intelligent Integration).

It also features e-pedal, a world-first technology that allows drivers to start, accelerate, decelerate, stop and hold the car by using the accelerator pedal alone – without needing to use the brakes. It also features the Auto Hold function, maintaining the car’s position until acceleration is required.

Available in six contemporary colours including arctic White, Ivory Pearl with black roof, Magnetic Red, Pearl Black, Platinum and Gun Metallic, LEAF will be sold at 89 Dealerships nation-wide, the biggest electric network in Australia.