e-Power instead of plug-in hybrid. Nissan's engineers have developed a unique among the electrified drives - which also drives extremely class. Debut is in summer in the Qashqai.
The range of alternative drive systems in the automotive industry is greater today than ever before. It ranges from different hybrid forms from battery cars with and without range extenders to hydrogen/fuel cell vehicles. Nissan Engineers have now come up with something new and developed it ready for series production. The unique eco drive is called e-Power and is celebrating its debut in the Qashqai. It is no coincidence that the new technology first gets the compact crossover model. The Qashqai is the bestseller in the Nissan program and e-power thus develops the greatest potential for savings. It should be up to 40 percent in the city compared to a mild hybrid.
No plug-in hybrids
With e-Power, the Japanese brand stands out from the trio Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi. While the other two rely on plug-in hybrids for their electrification strategy, Nissan said: There must be another way of giving the customer an electric driving experience without having to worry about range and charging infrastructure? In addition, as soon as subsidies for the plug-in hybrid gradually expire in Europe, sales figures will drop massively. It's not worth investing in this expensive technique for this scenario, even if the ingredients are mostly off the corporate shelf.
However, the e-power principle could be a suitable bridging technology. What makes this drive special? Compared to a hybrid system, with e-Power the car is always and exclusively driven by the electric motor (140 kW/190 hp). The petrol engine, a three-cylinder turbo with a displacement of 1,5 liters, 115 kW/156 hp and variable compression, only drives a generator to generate electricity. This sends its energy either directly to the electric motor or via an inverter (conversion to direct current) to the battery.
Various hybrid techniques
Now you could object that an electric car with a range extender is basically nothing different. Correct. But with him, the combustion engine only gets going when the capacity of the battery is running low. Not so with e-Power. Here, the petrol engine starts as soon as something accelerates faster or you are faster than 60 km/h. If you take your foot off the gas or drive slowly, only the electric motor works. The Qashqai could roll up to three kilometers purely with electricity, the 1,95 kWh battery does not give more.
Good streamer
The Qashqai e-Power delivers the biggest surprise while driving. Electrotypically, it responds immediately and directly, accelerates linearly and behaves just as smoothly and comfortably as a purely electric car. Only with the difference that occasionally three cylinders can be heard discreetly in the background. It is also good that the increase in engine speed harmonises with the increase in speed. Hybrid drivers have different things to report here. Nothing is worse than when the engine revs up and the car can't keep up with the acceleration.
Nissan will offer the e-power system starting this summer. First in the Qashqai, then in the new X-Trail, which will make its appearance at the end of the year. The manufacturer has not yet announced any prices. But one thing is already clear: There is no innovation premium for buyers as there is with a “real” electric car. This new Qashqai variant will not receive an e-mark either, although only an electric motor takes over the drive. Incidentally, the Federal Motor Transport Authority in Flensburg classifies the e-power Qashqai as a hybrid.