Nintendo has revealed today that
Mario Kart 7 will have the Tanooki power-up. We have seen in previous video's of the game the Tanooki leaf fly by but had no info on it but now we do. The Tanooki power-up can be used either offensively or defensively as you can use it to protect you from incoming shells or to whip other opponents off the track.
“Fans of the Tanooki power-up will be glad to hear that the Super Leaf makes an appearance in this latest instalment giving you both offensive and defensive abilities. Use your Tanooki tail to both protect you from incoming shells and to whip opponents off the track.”