Nissan Leopard

Specs: engines, gearbox, drive

Feed: most versions use Distributed injection (multi-point). Exceptions: 4 generation 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2960 cc uses Direct injection (direct); both 1 generation cars use Carburetor.

Feed: most versions use Distributed injection (multi-point). Exceptions: 4 generation 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2960 cc uses Direct injection (direct); both 1 generation cars use Carburetor.

Performance and economy (mpg)

0–100 km/h and top speed exist only on 4 generation, and not on every 4 generation row. City / highway / combined consumption, CO2 and eco class are not measured on all 19 versions.

• 2.0 AT 125 hp (4 generation): 14.8 s, 190 km/h — slowest measured sprint and lowest measured top speed.
• 2.5 AT 190 hp: 10.3 s, 209 km/h — 4.5 s faster and 19 km/h quicker than the 125 hp 2.0 AT, at the same 1550 kg kerb weight.
• 3.0 AT 160 hp: 10.4 s, 205 km/h — 0.1 s slower and 4 km/h slower than the 190 hp 2.5 AT, despite 962 cc more (2960 vs 2496) and 30 hp less.
• 3.0 AT 220 hp: 8.4 s, 229 km/h.
• 3.0 AT 230 hp: 8.0 s, 232 km/h — 0.4 s and 3 km/h better than the 220 hp 3.0 AT, for +10 hp and +60 kg (1600 vs 1540).
• 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2987 cc: 6.9 s, 248 km/h — fastest measured Leopard: 7.9 s quicker than the 125 hp 2.0 AT, 1.5 s quicker than the 220 hp 3.0 AT, top speed 58 km/h above the 125 hp car.

Not measured for 0–100 and top speed: 4 generation 2.5 AT 235 hp; 4 generation 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2960 cc; both 3 generation cars; all seven 2 generation cars; both 1 generation cars.

Specific output (hp per litre of displacement):

• Highest: 2 generation 2.0 AT 210 hp — 210 / 1.998 ≈ 105.1 hp/l.
• Next: 4 generation 2.5 AT 235 hp — 235 / 2.495 ≈ 94.2 hp/l.
• 4 generation 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2960 cc — 270 / 2.960 ≈ 91.2 hp/l.
• 4 generation 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2987 cc — 270 / 2.987 ≈ 90.4 hp/l.
• 2 generation 3.0 AT 255 hp — 255 / 2.960 ≈ 86.1 hp/l.
• Lowest among naturally aspirated sixes with a figure: 4 generation 3.0 AT 160 hp — 160 / 2.960 ≈ 54.1 hp/l.

Kerb kg per hp (lower is stronger on paper):

• 4 generation 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2960 cc: 1590 / 270 ≈ 5.89 kg/hp.
• 4 generation 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2987 cc: 1600 / 270 ≈ 5.93 kg/hp.
• 2 generation 3.0 AT 255 hp: 1520 / 255 ≈ 5.96 kg/hp.
• 3 generation 4.1 AT: 1650 / 270 ≈ 6.11 kg/hp.
• 4 generation 2.0 AT 125 hp: 1550 / 125 = 12.40 kg/hp — heaviest per horsepower of any version with a kerb figure.

1 generation kerb weight is not measured, so kg/hp is not measured there.

Dimensions and weight

Wheel size is not measured on any version. Gross weight is not measured on any version. Ground clearance and tank are not measured on 1 generation.

Tank: 80 L on every 4 generation and 3 generation version; 65 L on every 2 generation version (−15 L). 1 generation tank: not measured.

Ground clearance: 4 generation mostly 150 mm; 2.5 AT 235 hp and 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2987 cc sit at 145 mm (−5 mm). 3 generation: 140 mm. 2 generation: 135 mm. 1 generation: not measured.

Kerb weight range (measured): 1310 kg (2 generation 2.0 MT) to 1700 kg (4 generation 2.5 AT 235 hp). The 235 hp 2.5 AT is 150 kg heavier than the 190 hp 2.5 AT (1550 kg) and 360 kg heavier than the lightest coupe. 4 generation sedans cluster 1540–1600 kg except that 1700 kg turbo inline six. 3 generation 3.0 AT 200 hp matches the lightest 4 generation 3.0 AT at 1540 kg; 4.1 AT is 1650 kg.

Rear suspension (English labels as listed): Independent, spring on 4 generation 3.0 AT 160 hp, 3.0 AT 220 hp, 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2987 cc, several 2 generation cars, and both 1 generation cars. Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem on the remaining 4 generation and 3 generation rows. Dependent, spring on 2 generation 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT 155 hp and 3.0 AT 185 hp. Front: Independent, spring on all. Brakes: 4 and 3 generation use Ventilated disc front and Disc ventilated rear. 2 generation: mix of Ventilated disc / Disc. 1 generation: Disc front, Drum rear.

Generations: what changed in the numbers

1 generation → 2 generation (Coupe to Coupe). Power stays 115 hp on the base 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT, but 2 generation adds Turbo 2.0 AT at 155 hp (+40 hp) and 210 hp (+95 hp vs 115), and 3.0 AT at 185 / 200 / 255 hp. Gearbox on the automatic moves from Automatic 3 to Automatic 4; the manual moves from Manual 4 to Manual 5. Cylinder layout on the 2.0 changes from 6 Inline (1 generation) to 6 V-shaped (2 generation). Feed changes from Carburetor to Distributed injection (multi-point). Kerb, clearance, tank, torque, 0–100 and top speed for 1 generation are not measured, so those deltas cannot be stated.

2 generation → 3 generation (Coupe to Sedan). Body label changes from Coupe to Sedan. The 2.0 line disappears. The 3.0 AT 200 hp sedan (2960 cc, 200 hp, 260 Nm, 1540 kg) sits next to the 2 generation 3.0 AT 200 hp coupe (2960 cc, 200 hp, 259 Nm, 1460 kg): same hp, +1 Nm, +80 kg, clearance 140 vs 135 mm, tank 80 vs 65 L. The 4.1 AT (8 V-shaped, 4130 cc, 270 hp, 371 Nm, 1650 kg) is the only 8-cylinder Leopard: +70 hp and +112 Nm versus the 200 hp 3.0 AT, +110 kg, same 140 mm clearance and 80 L tank. 0–100 and top speed: not measured on 3 generation.

3 generation → 4 generation (Sedan to Sedan). The 4.1 AT is gone. In its place 4 generation stacks five different 3.0 AT tunes (160 / 220 / 230 / 270 / 270 hp) plus two 2.5 AT and a 125 hp 2.0 AT. Versus 3 generation 3.0 AT 200 hp (200 hp, 260 Nm, 1540 kg, 140 mm): the 4 generation 3.0 AT 160 hp is −40 hp, −12 Nm, same 1540 kg, +10 mm clearance; the 4 generation 3.0 AT 220 hp is +20 hp, +19 Nm, same 1540 kg, +10 mm, and is the first 3.0 with a measured 8.4 s / 229 km/h. The 4 generation 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2987 cc matches the 4.1 AT’s 270 hp with 27 cc less displacement than a 4.1, −4 Nm (367 vs 371), −50 kg (1600 vs 1650), +5 mm clearance (145 vs 140), and is the only 270 hp car with a measured 6.9 s / 248 km/h.

Which version to choose

If you want the shortest measured 0–100: 4 generation 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2987 cc (Turbo, 270 hp, 367 Nm, 1600 kg, 6.9 s, 248 km/h, fuel 95, Front, longitudinal, Independent, spring rear, 145 mm). That is 1.1 s faster than the 230 hp 3.0 AT and 7.9 s faster than the 125 hp 2.0 AT. What the extra displacement versus the 2960 cc turbo 3.0 AT 270 hp buys on paper: +27 cc, −1 Nm (367 vs 368), +10 kg, a measured sprint the 2960 cc turbo does not have, fuel 95 instead of 98, Distributed injection (multi-point) instead of Direct injection (direct). kg/hp is almost identical (5.93 vs 5.89).

If you want 270 hp without turbo: 3 generation 4.1 AT (8 V-shaped, 4130 cc, 270 hp, 371 Nm, 1650 kg, fuel 98). Same hp as both 4 generation 270 hp cars, highest torque in the catalogue (371 Nm: +3 vs 368, +4 vs 367, +28 vs the 255 hp turbo coupe). You pay 50–110 kg versus the 270 hp 4 generation cars and you get no measured 0–100. Specific output is only 65.4 hp/l versus 90–91 hp/l on the turbo 3.0s.

If you want the strongest 2.5: 4 generation 2.5 AT 235 hp (Inline, Turbo, Front, transverse — the only transverse engine in the set). +45 hp and +40 Nm versus the 190 hp 2.5 AT, +150 kg, −5 mm clearance, fuel 95 not 98. 0–100 and top speed: not measured. Specific output 94.2 hp/l is the best in 4 generation. The 190 hp 2.5 AT is the one with a measured 10.3 s / 209 km/h and the same 1550 kg as the 125 hp 2.0 AT.

If you want a 3.0 without turbo in 4 generation: skip 3.0 AT 160 hp unless you need fuel 92. It is slower (10.4 s / 205 km/h) than the 190 hp 2.5 AT (10.3 s / 209 km/h) at almost the same weight (1540 vs 1550 kg) and has the worst specific output of the sixes (54.1 hp/l). 3.0 AT 220 hp (8.4 s, 229 km/h, 1540 kg, Independent, spring rear, Front, longitudinal) is +60 hp and −2.0 s versus the 160 hp car at the same kerb weight. 3.0 AT 230 hp adds 10 hp and 15 Nm, 0.4 s and 3 km/h, but +60 kg and Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem rear instead of Independent, spring.

If you want a Coupe, not a Sedan: stay in 1 generation or 2 generation. The only manual in 2 generation is 2.0 MT (115 hp, 163 Nm, Manual 5, 1310 kg — lightest measured Leopard, Dependent, spring rear). The 2 generation 2.0 AT 115 hp is the same 115 hp with Automatic 4, +50 kg (1360 kg), fuel 92 not 95, 4 valves not 2. Turbo path on 2.0: 2.0 AT 155 hp (+40 hp, 1340 kg, 180 km/h measured, Dependent, spring) then 2.0 AT 210 hp (+95 hp vs 115, 264 Nm, 1440 kg, 105.1 hp/l — highest in the model, 0–100 not measured). On 3.0 in the coupe: 3.0 AT 185 hp (fuel 92) versus 3.0 AT 200 hp (+15 hp, +14 Nm, same 1460 kg, fuel 95, Independent, spring) versus 3.0 AT 255 hp Turbo (+70 hp and +84 Nm vs 185 hp, 1520 kg, 5.96 kg/hp). Top speed 180 km/h is measured only on 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT 155 hp; the rest of 2 generation top speed is not measured.

If you want the smallest running costs on paper (fuel grade only — consumption is not measured): 4 generation 2.0 AT 125 hp and 3.0 AT 160 hp, plus 2 generation 2.0 AT 115 hp and 3.0 AT 185 hp, list fuel 92. Everything else with a fuel label wants 95 or 98. 1 generation fuel: not measured.

If you want the earliest, simplest pair: 1 generation 2.0 MT (Manual 4, Carburetor, 115 hp / 84 kW) versus 2.0 AT (Automatic 3, same 115 hp / 84 kW, same 1998 cc, 6 Inline, 2 valves, Front, longitudinal, Disc / Drum). Torque, rpm, compression, fuel, 0–100, top speed, tank, weights, clearance and wheels: not measured. The only numbered difference in the gearbox is 4 speeds versus 3.

Reliability / problems (what the numbers actually separate): this catalogue does not list failure rates. What it does list as hardware splits: Turbo versus No; Direct injection (direct) only on 4 generation 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2960 cc; Carburetor only on 1 generation; the sole Inline turbo 6 (2.5 AT 235 hp) versus V-shaped everywhere else in 4 generation; Front, transverse only on that 235 hp car; 8 cylinders only on 4.1 AT; Drum rear brakes only on 1 generation. Those are the mechanical forks a buyer can actually see in the data.

Short map. Measured-fast sedan: 3.0 AT 270 hp / 2987 cc. Same 270 hp, no turbo, more torque, more mass: 4.1 AT. Best hp/l: 2 generation 2.0 AT 210 hp. Lightest: 2 generation 2.0 MT. Do not buy 4 generation 3.0 AT 160 hp for performance — the 190 hp 2.5 AT beats it on 0–100 and top speed at +10 kg. Do not treat two badges named 2.5 AT or five named 3.0 AT as one car: 235 vs 190 hp and 160 vs 220 vs 230 vs 270 vs 270 hp are different engines.