Nissan’s ‘leading environmentally-friendly affordable family vehicle’ (LEAF), is one of the first all-electric cars made for the mass-market and has sold over 650,000 units worldwide.

The first generation’s powertrain was so incredibly quiet that additional sound dampening materials had to be added to reduce the noise of the wind and the tyres on the road which drivers were not used to hearing. Even the headlights had to be redesigned to channel the wind away from the mirrors because the wind noise against them was too audible from inside the cabin. In later models, designers incorporated different fabrics and plastics to help deaden the sound as well as “aerodynamic upgrades and exterior refinements” to reduce wind noise.

The original Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system to warn other road users of this car’s presence was a high-pitched whining noise which the driver was initially able to turn off. Nissan has since developed a distinctive voice for the Leaf by adapting the distinct ‘Canto’ soundscape that was first heard in Nissan’s 2017 concept car IMx, for a new Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS). The IMx was dubbed the “singing car”, referring to the Italian word ‘canto’ which means ‘I sing’. Its tone and pitch are dependent on acceleration, deceleration, speed and reversing and helps gives a sonic identity to the brand.

This car is on display as part of the Museum's feature exhibition, Beep-Beep, Yeah!: The Sounds and Songs of the Motor Car.

On loan from Nissan Motors.