Of all the different powertrains out there, Nissan’s implementation is arguably the most unique. Their e-POWER system was designed and engineered to give you the best of both worlds… That silent, smooth, and near-seamless propulsion of an electric car, but with a good-old internal combustion engine up front, working just like a generator, which should help alleviate any range anxiety. Plus, it’s about to get even better now, too.
With the unveiling of the new and updated Nissan Qashqai, which, by the way, is still available with a way more traditional mild-hybrid configuration, if that’s what you prefer, could now be spec’d with Nissan’s 3rd-generation e-POWER hybrid powertrain. Promising even lower fuel consumption, fewer tailpipe emissions, and a far quieter, more refined ride quality, it’s everything we knew and love from the outgoing e-POWER tech, but improved.
So, here are the highlights, specifically on the refreshed Nissan Qashqai… A whopping fuel economy figure of 62 mpg (WLTP), which isn’t just class-leading, but it should also translate to fewer trips to the petrol station, as the Qashqai could manage a total driving range of up to 745 miles. Yet, its CO2 emissions are down by 12%, now at just 102 g/km, and with a cabin noise reduction by up to 5.6 dB, it can very nearly match an EV’s silent drive.
Same (Same), But Different
That said, what’s so special about this new-generation e-POWER system that warrants such huge improvements over the old one, then? Now, for folks who might not be aware of how Nissan’s e-POWER system works, here’s a quick rundown… Your wheels are driven not by the engine and transmission, but by an electric motor, sort of like an electric car. This motor is then powered by a battery pack, which, once again, is reminiscent of a ‘pure’ EV.
Meanwhile, there’s a internal combustion engine at the front that generates electricity, which will then be distributed directly to the electric motor to drive your wheels, and even to charge the battery, if needed. This is unique compared to most other hybrids, as Nissan’s e-POWER is a far more simplified system, lacking any complicated gearboxes or couplings that transition between engine, electric, and hybrid power altogether.
The big upside to Nissan’s idea of hybridisation is how you’re able to experience that smooth and instantaneous power delivery and response of a proper, pure-electric vehicle. Furthermore, it even has regenerative braking, as do EVs, helping to convert excess kinetic energy into electrons, feeding it back into the battery. Yet, unlike an EV, you needn’t worry about your battery going flat, as you have a petrol engine that’s only a quick fill-up away.
On paper, this new, 3rd-generation e-POWER still retains the same old layout and recipe as the outgoing model, including that 3-cylinder 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine at the front, specific to this slightly updated Nissan Qashqai, and underneath, you’ll find a 2.1 kWh battery pack. Again, the latter is identical to the outgoing e-POWER. However, it’s the little things that count, and that’s where Nissan was able to eke out some gains.
It’s The Little Things That Count
The beating heart of which is a newly developed 5-in-1 modular powertrain unit, which combines your inverter, electric motor, reducer, increaser, and the generator into a single, compact, and lightweight lump. It even has a bit of commonality with the new Nissan Leaf EV’s 3-in-1 drive unit, too. As a result, while overall power remains unchanged at 140 kW, with ‘Sport Mode’ enabled, it’ll boost you up to 151 kW max, and 330 Nm of torque.
In addition, Nissan made further improvements to the engine itself, which is now a brand-new unit, and it’s also built specifically for use with e-POWER. Among the more noteworthy parts of this new engine is the inclusion of Nissan’s new ‘STARC’ combustion concept. This has allowed them to achieve a superb level of thermal efficiency, now up to an impressively high 42% (@ 2,000 RPM), thanks to its far more efficient burn of the air-fuel mix.
Some other cool tuning bits that Nissan made to this engine include increased rigidity of the cylinder block and the oil pan (to help reduce vibrations), as well as a longer stroke, now increased from 90 mm to 100 mm, which does help with increasing torque, particularly at lower speeds. Additionally, there’s a new, bigger turbocharger, yielding more efficient driving at lower speeds on the motorway, as well as lower noise and a more refined ride.
On top of that, Nissan even made the change to a lower viscosity engine oil (0W16), introduced to aid in reducing friction inside the engine a bit further, and improving overall efficiency by a smidge. So, if you’re thinking about how Nissan’s new e-POWER (in the Qashqai, specifically) is able to claim 16% better fuel economy in real-world driving conditions, in addition to a mighty 14% improved fuel consumption on the motorway, this is how.
More Power, But Using Less Fuel
And, if that wasn’t enough to win you over, how about these new, longer service intervals, which have since been raised from once every 9,000 miles, up to 12,000 miles. I’ve no doubt that the simpler construction and having fewer moving parts inside this 3rd-gen e-POWER system have something to do with that. To be clear, while Nissan’s e-POWER isn’t a racy, performance-oriented hybrid by any means, I’m certain you’ll appreciate more oomph.
With that in mind, thanks to a respectable 311 Nm of torque and 140 kW of power, you could manage a 0 to 62 mph sprint in a decent 7.9 seconds, or shave off 0.3 seconds when you enable the Sport Mode function for some added boost. Nissan’s engineers certainly went the extra mile when it came to weight reduction, too, as the new 5-in-1 powertrain unit is now 18 kg lighter, while the engine is an additional 10 kg lighter than the old one.
Yet, NVH levels as a whole are down versus the last-generation e-POWER tech. The interior ambient noise levels are nearly the same as an EV (comparable to the new Leaf), which is a pretty significant reduction in decibels. In addition, thanks to upgraded engine mounts and a stiffer powertrain structure, you should be able to notice the reduced vibrations and resonance, as well as quieter operation overall, even when you’re at motorway speeds.
To make your drive even more silent, just like the outgoing e-POWER system, this new kit has an EV button that lets you drive your new Qashqai purely on electric power. Alas, it’s not a huge amount of range, and even when the battery is fully charged, it’ll go no more than 2 to 3 kilometres, but at least for manoeuvring quietly out of a driveway, it works well enough. In urban driving, though, you’re probably in EV mode around 40% of the time.
Halfway Between Fossil Fuels & Electric
As I noted earlier, the goal of Nissan’s e-POWER is to be the best of everything. It refines the concept of a hybrid powertrain, but now quieter, smoother, more responsive, and punchier than most hybrids, without the jerkiness of gear shifts that are typical of hybrids that still retain a transmission. Aside from this, you’re getting diesel-like range, and unlike plug-in hybrids or EVs, you could enjoy all those worry-free miles without needing to plug in.
This is a massive boon for folks who’d like to experience an electric vehicle, but aren’t yet ready to deal with the charging infrastructure, or the many lifestyle changes that you have to adapt to when you’re living with electric cars day-to-day. Nissan’s e-POWER hybrid system promises to bypass this, offering you nearly all the benefits of EVs, aside from zero-emission driving, but with an ownership experience no different than any other ICE car.
I’d say this kind of powertrain is perfect for a lot of people, especially if the prospect of owning an EV appears rather daunting. That level of convenience and familiarity alone is probably worth its weight in gold, and it might even soften the resolve of those would-be car owners who are firmly against EVs, due to misconceptions and perceived challenges that EV ownership might bring them, with e-POWER being a fitting stepping stone.
Bringing Nissan UK’s Best-Seller Up-To-Date
Ah, but we’re not quite done just yet, as removing all barriers and complexity that electrification may introduce won’t be enough to entice and transition folks into getting the new Nissan Qashqai e-POWER, won’t it? Visually, this slight update to the already-pretty-new Qashqai, in celebration of it getting a high-tech powertrain, includes the redesigned set of wing mirror caps, covers on the suspension wishbones, and improved rear tyre deflectors.
Additionally, the rear muffler design has been updated, and you even get a re-styled set of 17-inch alloy wheels, too. The interior is where you’ll notice the more consequential upgrades, however. Nissan’s ProPILOT ADAS suite has been expanded to encompass newer systems, such as prevention against undertaking, while improving its older hardware, like improved multi-lane monitoring, speedier lane-keep assist, and better blind-spot warnings.
Elsewhere, the Nissan Qashqai’s smarter, more intelligent driver aids and safety systems are accompanied by the enhanced infotainment system and connectivity, powered by Google. The most welcome nice-to-haves are the revamped and more potent Google Assistant features, new apps to fiddle around with in the Play Store, and more seamless access to Google Maps, as well as giving you weather forecasts at planned destinations, too.
All in all, it’s a solid round of fine-tuning the already highly capable Nissan Qashqai, made all the better with its e-POWER hybrid tech, and all the fuel savings, effortlessness, and performance that it brings to the table. To be built at Nissan’s state-of-the-art factory in Sunderland, the latest Nissan Qashqai, with e-POWER, brings a lot of pride for us Brits, too, and you needn’t wait long to get one, with order books opening this coming autumn.
