It’s not just Mitsubishi that has plans for an electric (EV) minicar – better known in Japan as Kei cars; fellow Alliance member Nissan is also doing the same, with a new Kei EV purportedly called the Nissan Sakura.
Nissan IMk concept. Notice the similarities in design with the Sakura?
Thanks to Creative311, spyshots of heavily-camouflaged units of the Nissan Sakura have surfaced, with the little Kei EV doing its rounds around Japan.
Nissan Ariya and Nissan Sakura share a similar familar look. Photo credit: Mochin_dayo
One particular spyshot sees the Nissan Sakura parked beside the Nissan Ariya, the latter is Nissan’s newest EV. With the uncamouflaged Ariya parked beside the Sakura, one can spot the similarities in design between the two models, down to the common family face.
Nissan IMk concept. Note the similar windowline
But if the camouflaged Sakura’s design is a bit too hard to decipher, fret not, as Nissan released a bunch of photos of the Nissan IMk concept, likely as an early look at the Sakura. Most of the design elements on the IMk concept are carried over on the camouflaged Sakura.
Could the Nissan Sakura get the same horizontal tail lights as the IMk? Photo credit: Mochin_dayo
Although powertrain details are under tight wraps at the moment, the Japanese source claims that the Nissan Sakura can offer a range of about 200 km.
A little peek into the Sakura's interior. Photo credit: yasuhira720
Nissan is expected to debut the Nissan Sakura later this year in its home market Japan, in which it will square off against the aforementioned Mitsubishi Kei EV. The Mitsubishi is likely to be based off the regular petrol version of the eK Wagon and not developed from the ground-up as an EV.
Keyword: Spied: Nissan Sakura EV spotted, on track for Japan debut later this year