Nissan Will Offer a Range-Extended EV in 2016

In an interview with Australia's Motoring magazine, Shimoida said Nissan's "series hybrid" would use an internal combustion engine that will not send power to the wheels but "that is only for generating energy," and that the vehicle would not be a Leaf.

Opening another model front in the alternative energy powertrains is a play from the Chevrolet book, as opposed to BMW. Chevy sells the Volt with a range extender, while the Spark EV is its current EV and the Bolt will be its next-generation pure EV; BMW's i3 offers both powertrains. Shimoida wouldn't proffer any information beyond the new powertrain, saying, "Next year we announce what it's called."

This gives us even more to look forward to from Nissan's green space. The IDS concept shown at the Tokyo Motor Show is a thinly veiled preview of the next-generation Leaf, which makes us wonder what donor vehicle the company has in mind for its series hybrid. The Versa Note is an obvious choice among current platforms. If Nissan were going to go all the way we'd be happy to see a production version of the Sway concept (pictured) shown at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. That would make a splash to get the attention of hatchback buyers everywhere.