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2018 Nissan Leaf could offer ProPilot feature
By Product Expert | Posted in Features & Technology, Nissan Leaf on Friday, June 23rd, 2017 at 5:34 pm
Is ProPilot in the Nissan Leaf self-driving?
Every automaker is on a mission to be the first to offer up self-driving technology, while also competing to offer the best electric vehicle to the market. It seems Nissan is attempting to do both, at least in a limited scale, with the release of the upcoming 2018 Nissan Leaf. The model will have the option of the ProPilot feature, which we previously noted is now available in two models for consumers in Japan. There does seem to be some confusion on whether ProPilot is entirely self-driving or not, so let’s dig into it.
Does ProPilot make Nissan models autonomous?
There are many consumers out there who are very excited at the prospect of future cars offering full autonomy, but we aren’t there yet. ProPilot is something like autopilot for planes, which is to say that you can take your hands off the controls, but you should still be completely monitoring the system. It’s also exclusively used for single-lane highway driving, and is best utilized in stop-and-go traffic situations.
Read More: 200-mile range predicted with new Leaf battery
Essentially, the system uses a variety of different driver assistance features in conjunction to make this work. Automatic cruise control monitors the distance between you and the driver in front of you, while steering assist and lane keeping control help keep you in your lane. Combine these features together, and it’s simple to see how ProPilot is useful when you’re stuck in heavy traffic, but it really isn’t meant to be a feature that is entirely self-driving, and multiple lane highways are currently too complex.
Full details on the 2018 Nissan Leaf are not yet available, but it’s predicted that the vehicle will get a boost to range upwards of 200 miles per charge. We wouldn’t be surprised to see faster charging times, either, since this is another major criticism of EVs at the moment.
What do you think of Nissan ProPilot? Share your thoughts with a comment below, and be sure to check back here at the Glendale Nissan Blog for more updates.
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