NISSAN CHALLENGES CHICAGO’S DIRTIEST SLUSH WITH “WORLD’S CLEANEST CAR”
All-electric, zero-emissions Nissan LEAF with nano-paint technology cleans itself
CHICAGO – What do you get when you combine the world’s best-selling zero-emission vehicle with innovative paint technology that repels dirty slush, Chicago street grime, bird crap and everyday dirt? Answer: a Nissan LEAF electric vehicle that might just be the “world’s cleanest car,” which will be shown at the Chicago Auto Show.
Created to demonstrate its potential use in future vehicles, this Nissan LEAF’s exterior is treated with a specially engineered “superhydrophobic” and “oleophobic” paint that repels water and oils. This “self-cleaning” paint, called Ultra-Ever Dry®, creates a protective layer of air between the paint and environment, effectively stopping water and road spray from leaving dirty marks on LEAF’s surface. Nissan is one of the first carmakers to apply this technology to a vehicle.
The coating, marketed and sold by UltraTech International Inc., has been in testing at the Nissan Technical Center in Europe. So far it has responded well to common car-dirtying events including rain, spray, frost, sleet and standing water with the technology creating an protective “umbrella of air” for the paint. Chocolate syrup squirted onto the hood rolls right off onto the floor and has been a crowd favorite during public demonstrations.
Nissan is evaluating public feedback to consider using the treatment as a future aftermarket option. For the North American demonstration, the paint is featured on a white Nissan LEAF with a matte finish.
“The 100 percent electric LEAF provides the perfect canvas for this new, advanced paint technology,” said Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc. “This is one LEAF that never has to stop at gas stations – not even for a car wash.”
Nissan LEAF in Chicago
Nissan’s “No Charge to Charge” promotion provides Chicagoans with two years of no-cost public charging with the purchase or lease of a new LEAF from Nissan dealers in the Chicago market. This includes complimentary access to fast chargers that can charge a LEAF from zero to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.
“Nissan LEAF is an attractive option for Chicago car buyers for a number of reasons, such as the available Illinois Alternative Fuels Rebate of up to $4,000* and significantly lower operating costs than a gas-powered car,” said Brendan Jones, director, Nissan Electric Vehicle Sales and Infrastructure Strategy. “Adding free public fast charging in Chicagoland gives Nissan LEAF an even greater competitive edge over other vehicles, regardless of their fuel source.”
With “No Charge to Charge,” new LEAF buyers can enjoy added range confidence with free access to fast chargers** spread throughout Chicagoland at retail stores, tollway oases and other convenient locations for drivers. As part of the promotion, LEAF drivers will also enjoy free one-hour charging sessions at more than 140 level 2 (240 volt) charging stations**.
For 2015, the zero-emissions Nissan LEAF is available in three trim levels: LEAF S, SV and SL, along with option packages offering advanced systems such as Around View® Monitor and seven-speaker Bose® energy-efficient audio and Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant*. The EPA estimated driving range for LEAF on a fully charged battery is rated at 84 miles and MPGe ratings are 126 City, 101 Highway and 114 Combined.** Nissan LEAF can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity in 30 minutes when equipped with a quick charge port and using a fast charger. Charging at home through a 240V charging dock is estimated to take less than five hours with the 6.6 kW onboard charger (less than eight hours with the S grade’s standard 3.6 kW onboard charger). However, charging times may vary.
* Compatible smartphone required. Standard text rates and/or data usage may apply.
**Based on EPA formula of 33.7 kW/hour equal to one gallon of gasoline energy, EPA rated the LEAF® equivalent to 126 MPG measured as gasoline fuel efficiency in city driving, and 101 MPG in highway driving. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions — use for comparison only. Charging times and range estimates may vary depending on driving/charging habits, weather, temperature and battery age. The 6.6kW onboard charger is a standard feature on SV and SL trims. It is an optional feature on the S trim. 240-V home charging dock is sold separately.
NISSAN DEVELOPS FIRST ‘SELF-CLEANING’ CAR PROTOTYPE
- Nissan tests innovative nano-paint technology which repels dirt
- Nissan Note is first car to trial paint which could make car washes obsolete
- Potential aftermarket application being investigated by Nissan engineers in Europe
ROLLE, Switzerland (April 24th, 2014): Washing a car can be a chore – and a costly one at that. In response, Nissan has begun tests on innovative paint technology that repels mud, rain and everyday dirt, meaning drivers may never have to clean their car again.
The specially engineered super-hydrophobic and oleophobic paint, which repels water and oils, has been applied to the all-new Nissan Note to create the world’s first self-cleaning car.
To assess the real-world effectiveness of the super-hydrophobic as a potential aftermarket application, engineers at Nissan Technical Centre Europe will be testing the self-cleaning Note over the coming months in a variety of conditions.
Nissan is the first carmaker to apply the technology, called Ultra-Ever Dry®, on automotive bodywork. By creating a protective layer of air between the paint and environment, it effectively stops standing water and road spray from creating dirty marks on the car’s surface.
It’s not the first time ‘self-cleaning’ technology has been used on the Note. The car already features a ‘wash and blow dry’ function on its rear view camera. This uses water and compressed air to automatically keep the lens free of dirt and ensure the Notes’ safety sensors work in all conditions.
So far, the coating, which is being marketed and sold by UltraTech International Inc®, has responded well to common use cases including rain, spray, frost, sleet and standing water. Whilst there are currently no plans for the technology to be applied to the model as standard, Nissan will continue to consider the coating technology as a future aftermarket option.
Geraldine Ingham, Chief Marketing Manager for Nissan Note, comments, “The Nissan Note has been carefully engineered to take the stress out of customer driving and Nissan’s engineers are constantly thinking of new ways to make families’ lives easier.
“We are committed to addressing everyday problems our customers face and will always consider testing exciting, cutting edge technology like this incredible coating application.”
The all-new Nissan Note is already packed with innovative technology to make driving safer. Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning and Moving Object Detection combine to form the Nissan Safety Shield. This unique package is powered by 360° Around View Monitor technology which relies on the unique self-cleaning rear camera – an innovation already breaking new ground in the B segment.
Bringing premium technology and sharp design to the B-segment is at the core of the new Note’s appeal, with innovative thinking applied to all aspects of its design and engineering.
The Nissan Safety Shield pack comprises the following three technologies:
Blind Spot Warning
A feature once reserved for cars in the premium sector, Nissan’s system uses the rear wide view camera to detect vehicles in the hidden blind spot areas on both sides of the Note. If a vehicle is detected in either blind spot, a discreet warning light illuminates in the glass of the Note’s wing mirror. If the driver indicates to change lanes and the system detects a vehicle in the danger area, the light flashes and an audible warning is given.
Lane Departure Warning
Another premium feature making its debut in the B-segment, Lane Departure Warning detects if the car is starting to drift out of lane. While you might expect a windscreen mounted camera or radar system to be required for this function, the Note again uses only its rear wide view camera. Advanced computer programming detects even faint road markings allowing the car to determine if it is drifting out of position without indicating. If it does, a warning is given to the driver to correct their road position. Cleverly, the system automatically adjusts its sensitivity when on rural roads to allow for the different required driving style.
Moving Object Detection
Building on the capabilities of Around View Monitor, this new function effectively gives the driver a digital co-pilot to help them look at what might be approaching the path of their reversing Note. While conventional parking aids warn the driver of an object in their way, Moving Object Detection gives an audible and visual alert if someone or something is moving around the car, for example if a child is walking towards your reversing Note. Mounted on the tailgate and having a convex lens, the rear wide view camera has a sweep of vision in excess of 180 degrees, giving it an unparalleled field of vision at the back of the car. Images from the camera are displayed on the 5.8-inch Nissan Connect screen.