Nissan chooses Europe to launch the first application of its third-generation e-Power powertrain in the Nissan Qashqai C-segment crossover to be built in the U.K.
The automaker is seeking to tap into markets with consumers open to both battery-electric and hybrid vehicles currently driving the bulk of sales growth.
Its e-Power system claims to combine the advantages of both powertrain systems and uses a refined “generator”/battery powertrain that boasts less vibration and noise while delivering better fuel economy and CO2 efficiency. It also maintains power and extends service intervals from 9,000 miles (14,490 km) to 12,000 miles (19,320 km).
In a prelaunch roundtable with Nissan executives, WardsAuto was told much of their engineers’ focus was devoted to creating a new integrated power unit bringing five key components into one unit.
Unlike the previous e-Power system, this third-generation unit brings the 1.5L, 115.5-hp turbocharged gasoline internal-combustion engine together with the generator, inverter, reducer and increaser into one unit. This also reduces the weight of the power unit by 28 kg (61.6 lbs.) to just 281 kg (618 lbs.)
This reduces movement between each component and significantly reduces both vibration and powertrain noise, which is cut by a claimed 5.6 dB, the difference between a conversation held outside with background noise and one with a person in your own living room.
Nissan engineers’ second-biggest focus was on tuning the combustion characteristics of the ICE component to better suit its role as a generator of electricity to feed the 2.1-kWh lithium-ion battery which powers the electric motor to drive the wheels.
Much of this is down to the gasoline engine retune that reduces highway operating revs by 200 rpm.
Matthew Wright, Nissan vice president-powertrain development and design for the automaker's Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO) region, explains that his engineer teams in the U.K., Germany and Spain helped tune the powertrain to suit the various environments the Qashqai will face on the Continent.
Nissan claims the new Qashqai’s e-Power system will achieve a 745-mile (1,200-km) range on Europe’s WLTP efficiency rating using a gallon (U.S.) of gasoline every 52 miles (84 km) with CO2 emissions of just 102 g/km, 12% less than the current system.
Additional real-world fuel consumption tests carried out by the German motorist group ADAC included cruising speeds of 130 km/h (81 mph), the standard speed for many European highways and also Germany’s own unlimited-speed autobahns.
In these conditions, the studies showed the Qashqai will comfortably achieve a range in excess of 620 miles (998 km), Wright adds.
While overall system power remains unchanged at 201 hp, it does get a 13.4-hp boost from a short-term use of Sport Mode. Electric-only driving allows silent take-off and parking.
“This is the first application of the new e-Power globally. We are very proud to bring this to Europe and will also be supplying vehicles to markets beyond our manufacturing base in Sunderland,” Wright says.
The latest Qashqai equipped with new e-Power will be available in European markets from September, with a rollout across Africa and Oceania following in the months ahead.
