Nissan has announced a number of upgrades to its e-Power technology on the Qashqai, promising to deliver better fuel consumption, lower emissions and an even smoother ride.
First launched in Europe four years ago, e-Power was developed by Nissan to deliver an electric-drive experience without the need to plug in; the 1.5-litre petrol engine is used only to generate electricity which is distributed directly to the electric motor to drive the wheels, as well as to charge the battery if needed.
Unlike traditional hybrids, there is no complicated gearbox and coupling to combine petrol power and electric energy to drive the wheels, meaning response is instant and the drive is always smooth, just like an EV. And like an EV, the regenerative braking system on e-Power converts kinetic energy into electrical energy, fed back into the battery.
The next generation of e-Power which will be rolled out on all Qashqai models built in Sunderland from September 2025, bringing major improvements across every key areas. For starts, Nissan says fuel consumption has been reduced to 4.5-litres per 100km, a claimed best-in-class figure, while a new range of 1,200km from a full tank of fuel is now said to be possible.
CO2 emissions have also been reduced, and are now down to 102g/km, down from 116g/km, which is a 12 per cent reduction from the outgoing Qashqai e-Power. Meanwhile, the e-Power system is now quieter, with a 5.6-decibel reduction in cabin noise, and there’s an extra 10kW (that’s 13.5hp) power when Sport mode is selected.
At the core of New e-Power is a newly-developed 5-in-1 modular powertrain unit, which integrates the electric motor, generator, inverter, reducer and increaser into a compact and lighter package. Combined with improvements to engine calibration and sound insulation, the system reduces both noise and vibration under load. Overall, power is up by 11kW, at a maximum of 151kW. The battery capacity is unchanged at 2.1 kWh.
