Latest news with #ePower
Auto Express
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New Nissan Qashqai e-Power 2025 review: impressive efficiency in an unusual way
The Qashqai e-Power is a unique, and slightly unusual, proposition in the ever-expanding sea of hybrid family SUVs. Around town, its clever powertrain delivers a genuinely EV-like drive, while the newly enhanced version brings noticeable improvements in refinement and fuel economy on the motorway. The cherry on top is that the updated set-up will be cheaper to run, in terms of trips to the pump and maintenance, which buyers will appreciate in the long term. Advertisement - Article continues below The Nissan Qashqai received much more aggressive styling, an interior overhaul and new Google-backed tech as part of its extensive mid-lift facelift last year, but there were no changes under the bonnet at the time. Presumably because the brand's engineers were still toiling away on the next evolution of its e-Power hybrid system, which is finally ready to be rolled out later this month. The unique set-up is designed to deliver as close to an EV-like driving experience as possible – without the driver having to worry about range or charging – by only using an electric motor to drive the front wheels. The petrol engine acts solely as a generator to charge a 1.8kWh lithium-ion battery, which in turn powers the e-motor. For the third iteration of its e-Power set-up, Nissan has designed an all-new five-in-one electric drive unit that shares core components with the latest Leaf EV. By putting everything into one unit, not only does it mean the system is now more efficient, but it also emits less noise and vibrations, to help improve refinement. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View Qashqai View Qashqai View Qashqai View Qashqai There's also a new, dedicated 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a larger turbocharger so the motor doesn't have to rev as high on the motorway, further boosting refinement and efficiency simultaneously, while the company's 'STARC combustion concept' supposedly improves thermal efficiency by up to 42 per cent. As well as reducing fuel consumption, Nissan has managed to increase the service intervals from 9,000 to 12,000 miles, which will allow buyers to save money on maintenance. Advertisement - Article continues below The result of all this is that the Qashqai e-Power can now average up to 62mpg, compared with roughly 54mpg before. It also consumes less fuel while cruising on the motorway which, in theory, should allow drivers to cover up to 745 miles on a single tank of petrol. Meanwhile CO2 emissions have dropped from 117g/km to 102g/km, and cabin noise has fallen by 5.6dB. Nissan has also tweaked the hybrid system's power output, because customers apparently wanted to feel more of a difference when switching into Sport mode. Now, in Normal mode, the e-motor produces 188bhp and 311Nm of torque, but switching to Sport ups it to 203bhp and 330Nm; that's enough to whittle the official 0-62mph time down from 7.9 to 7.6 seconds. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below To try and appreciate the improvements in the driving experience, we tested the outgoing and new Qashqai e-Power back-to-back, and there is a definite (if very subtle) improvement in refinement. For instance, the old engine sounded harsher and seemed to emit a constant drone while cruising on the motorway, then roaring into life when we floored the throttle. By contrast, the new one is generally much quieter, especially on the motorway, as Nissan promised. Advertisement - Article continues below In town, however, we found it impossible to tell the difference between the two cars, which is understandable because both are propelled by a silent electric motor. We often noticed a delay in power delivery when trying to accelerate, however, which breaks the illusion that you're driving an EV. We still like the stronger regenerative braking setting, which Nissan calls the e-Pedal mode, that you activate easily by a pressing button on the centre console. It might not deliver the genuine one-pedal driving you get in some EVs, but it does slow the car considerably when you lift off the throttle and helps in town-centre traffic. The only downside is that, when you hit the open road, the brake pedal doesn't feel as natural as when you switch the system off. Nissan says it's also updated its 'ProPilot' adaptive cruise control system. Among the improvements are an automatic and predictive speed limit function, which can slow the car down in preparation for a new speed limit to help prevent drivers from getting tickets. Unfortunately, the company hasn't come up with an easier way for drivers to silence the incessant bonging from the various other driver-assistance systems. The speed-limit warning and lane-keep assist were particularly vocal during our test drive. To turn systems like this off, you have to use the buttons on the steering wheel to trawl through various menus on the digital driver's display, which is as slow, overly complicated and distracting a process as it sounds. We're surprised Nissan hasn't found an easier solution for drivers, like the 'My Safety Perso' button you get in Renaults and Dacias. We've been told the new Nissan Qashqai e-Power will cost the same as the existing version, which is available from £34,860 – nearly £2,000 more than a mild-hybrid automatic model in the same specification. The first cars featuring the new and improved e-Power set-up are due to arrive on customers' driveways by September. Model: Nissan Qashqai e-Power Tekna+ Price: £39,155 On sale: July Powertrain: 1.5-litre 3cyl petrol hybrid Power/torque: 203bhp/330Nm Transmission: Single-speed automatic, front-wheel drive 0-62mph: 7.6 seconds Top speed: 105mph Economy/CO2: 62mpg/102g/km Size (L/W/H): 4,425/1,835/1,575mm Got the Nissan Qashqai on your mind? Take a look at our latest deals on a new Nissan Qashqai , or find top prices on a used Nissan Qashqai . Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month! Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month! A three-time Auto Express Family Car of the Year winner, paired with Golf GTI power, is our Deal of the Day for 6 July Car Deal of the Day: Peugeot 208 GT is a sharp supermini for less than £180 a month Car Deal of the Day: Peugeot 208 GT is a sharp supermini for less than £180 a month It may be getting on a bit, but thanks to distinctive styling you really wouldn't know it – Peugeot's 208 is our Deal of the Day for 7 July
Auto Blog
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Third-generation Nissan e-Power hybrid system promises EV-like driving
Nissan Bets on Simpler, Smoother Hybrid Tech Hybrids are ubiquitous, but none operate quite like those with Nissan's e-Power system, the third generation of which just debuted in the redesigned Qashqai crossover for the European market, but is expected to reach the United States in 2026 in the next-generation Rogue. While most automakers opt for a parallel hybrid system that allows both an internal-combustion engine and electric motors to directly power the wheels, e-Power is a series hybrid system, in which the combustion engine acts purely as a generator, with electricity providing all of the motive power. That means instant response to throttle inputs, as in an EV, and is mechanically simpler than other hybrid systems, Nissan notes. Numerous Improvements A key update for the third-generation e-Power system is the integration of an electric motor, generator, inverter, and a reduction gear into a single unit that's more compact and lighter than the previous packaging, Nissan said in a press release. Battery capacity is unchanged from the previous Qashqai hybrid, at 2.1 kilowatt-hours. The new Qashqai hybrid also retains a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, but Nissan made a few changes to boost efficiency, power, and refinement. Thermal efficiency has improved to 42%, meaning more of the fuel volume actually gets translated into energy for turning the wheels. Low-speed performance in particular has been approved, according to Nissan, while a larger turbo lets the engine operate 200 rpm lower at highway speeds, reducing noise (overall cabin noise is down to 56 decibels, Nissan claims). The automaker says these changes make the previous engine's variable-compression-ratio tech redundant. Nissan estimates 62 mpg on the European WLTP testing cycle, which is generally more optimistic than the U.S. EPA testing cycle. Output improves by about 15 horsepower, to 202 hp. That's about the same as the 201 hp rating of the U.S.-spec 2025 Nissan Rogue, which uses a variable-compression turbo-three engine without a hybrid system. Expect To See e-Power In The U.S. Soon Source: Nissan Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Built in the United Kingdom, the redesigned Qashqai is scheduled to reach European markets in September 2025. It's not likely to reach the U.S., but Nissan confirmed last year that it planned to launch e-Power in the U.S. and Canada by the end of fiscal year 2026. Earlier this year, the automaker said the Rogue would get the third-generation e-Power system, along with the Qashqai and a minivan. While the Rogue could use a hybrid option, as most of its U.S.-market rivals already offer one, e-Power still comes with some questions. Series hybrids have struggled with efficiency and vibration issues at the steady-state highway speeds that are common in the U.S. That's why other automakers have avoided this tech (Honda's two-motor hybrid system comes close, but still allows the engine to directly drive the wheels in certain situations) and why Nissan has hesitated to bring e-Power to the U.S. Nissan launched the first-generation e-Power system in Japan in 2016, on the Note hatchback. As of last October, it claimed to save sold more than 1.5 million vehicles with the system, and that it was available in 68 markets. It's been promising U.S. sales for most of that span, even announcing plans to make e-Power the default powertrain tech for its Infiniti luxury brand. But those plans were canceled in 2021. Rogue Plug-In Hybrid Too 2025 Nissan Rogue — Source: Nissan Nissan's technical skills and tenacity shouldn't be underestimated, however. It made variable-compression engines work even after other automakers had given up on the concept, after all. And Nissan likely has a backup plan for the Rogue as well. Car and Driver reported last October that a Nissan Rogue plug-in hybrid would likely arrive for the 2026 model year, borrowing tech from its Mitsubishi Outlander platform-mate. The plug-in hybrid is expected to be sold alongside the Rogue e-Power hybrid, helping the Rogue achieve parity with rivals like the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Toyota RAV4, which all offer both hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain options. About the Author Stephen Edelstein View Profile
The Independent
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
The petrol car that thinks it's an EV
Nissan has given its British-built Qashqai e-Power a boost with an all-new hybrid system that makes it drive more like a fully electric car than ever. Unlike a traditional full hybrid car, where the engine sometimes directly powers the wheels, the Qashqai's e-Power technology uses a 1.5 litre petrol engine to continuously charge the car's small 2.1kWh battery through an inverter, which then powers the electric motor driving the front wheels. Like an EV and a full hybrid, the car's brakes are used to convert kinetic energy under braking into electrical energy, which is fed back into the battery. That means the Qashqai e-Power drives like an EV. There's the instant acceleration that electric cars are known for and no gear shifts, but with a petrol engine providing the power. Previous e-Power models were criticised for the intrusive engine noise, which is anything but like an EV. Efficiency wasn't as impressive as expected, either. The e-Power system has now been totally re-engineered with a totally new engine to make it more efficient and, crucially, up to 5.6 decibels quieter than the previous version. Nissan has increased thermal efficiency, which allows the engine to operate more quietly at lower speeds, while a larger turbocharger has been fitted to reduce engine speeds on the motorway – again, reducing noise. Other benefits in addition to the noise reduction include an additional 13bhp of power, a 12 per cent reduction in emissions and a boost in fuel efficiency meaning a potential range of 745 miles – or 62mpg in old money. Running costs should also be reduced by extended service intervals, with attention required every 12,000 miles, up from 9,000 miles previously. The new e-Power system will be launched in the Nissan Qashqai, built in Nissan's mega-factory in Sunderland, from September. It coincides with an upgrade to the Qashqai's in-car tech. The infotainment system is now Google powered with Google Maps, Google Assistant – including voice commands – and access to apps via the Google Play store. Nissan's ProPilot autonomous driving features have also been boosted with improved multi-lane autonomous drive interfaces for better traffic monitoring and awareness of surrounding environment. Many of the tweaks to the new Qashqai e-Power came as a response to customer feedback, as well as Nissan learning more about electric power systems. David Moss, Nissan's research and development boss, said 'This new version of e-Power reflects everything we've learned from developing electric motor drive systems for Europe. We've analysed what worked in our previous generations, what appealed most to customers, and re-engineered the system to deliver maximum efficiency, lower emissions and a quieter, more refined drive - all with the same performance as a diesel. We are proud that New e-Power now offers best-in-class fuel efficiency and emissions.' The new Qashqai e-Power arrives before an onslaught of new all-electric models from Nissan. First to arrive will be a new all-electric Micra, followed by a reinvention of t he original EV, the Nissan Leaf. Finally, an electric version of the Juke will join the Leaf in rolling off Nissan's production line in Sunderland.
Fast Company
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Fast Company
Nissan bets on its hybrid EV to drive a comeback
Money-losing Japanese automaker Nissan is banking on its latest 'e-Power' technology for a turnaround. A kind of hybrid, e-Power comes equipped with both an electric motor and gasoline engine, much like the Toyota Motor Corp. Prius. It's different from a Prius in that it doesn't switch back and forth between the motor and engine during the drive. That means the car always is running on its EV battery, ensuring a quiet, smooth ride. 'Nissan has a proud history of pioneering innovative technology that set us apart,' Chief Technology Officer Eiichi Akashi told reporters on the sidelines of a test drive at its Grandrive course outside Tokyo. The advantage of e-Power vehicles is that they never need to be charged like EVs do. The owner just fuels up at a gas station and the car never runs out of a charge. Nissan Motor Corp., which racked up a $4.5 billion loss for the fiscal year through March, sorely needs a hot-seller, especially in the lucrative North American market. But the U.S. market is proving a big headache for all the Japanese automakers because of President Donald Trump's tariff policies. To achieve a turnaround, Nissan is working on reducing costs, strengthening business partnerships and redefining its lineup. That's where e-Power fits in, according to Akashi. Yokohama-based Nissan announced earlier this month that it's slashing about 15% of its global work force, or about 20,000 employees, and reducing the number of its auto plants to 10 from 17, under an ambitious recovery plan led by its new Chief Executive Ivan Espinosa. Nissan officials did not give a price for the upcoming e-Power models. The one other automaker that offers a similar technology is 'kei,' or tiny car, manufacturer Daihatsu Motor Co. E-Power is already offered on the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail model in Europe, and the Note in Japan. The upgraded version will be offered in the new Rogue in the U.S. Nissan, a pioneer in EVs with its Leaf, which went on sale in 2010, is also preparing beefed up EV models. It's also working on a solid-state battery which is expected to replace the lithium-ion batteries now widely used in hybrids, EVs and e-Power models. Analysts say Nissan is in danger of running out of cash and needs a partner. Speculation is rife its Yokohama headquarters building will get sold, or one of its Japan plants will be turned into a casino. Nissan started talks last year with Japanese rival Honda Motor Co. for a business integration but announced in February that it was dropping the talks.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Japan's troubled automaker Nissan banks on hybrid EV technology
Reporters try out Nissan's e-Power electrification technology on the current Qashqai model at the company's Grandrive facility in Yokosuka, Japan, outside Tokyo, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuri Kageyama) YOKOSUKA, Japan — Money-losing Japanese automaker Nissan is banking on its latest 'e-Power' technology for a turnaround. A kind of hybrid, e-Power comes equipped with both an electric motor and gasoline engine, much like the Toyota Motor Corp. Prius. It's different from a Prius in that it doesn't switch back and forth between the motor and engine during the drive. That means the car always is running on its EV battery, ensuring a quiet, smooth ride. 'Nissan has a proud history of pioneering innovative technology that set us apart,' Chief Technology Officer Eiichi Akashi told reporters on the sidelines of a test drive at its Grandrive course outside Tokyo. The advantage of e-Power vehicles is that they never need to be charged like EVs do. The owner just fuels up at a gas station and the car never runs out of a charge. Nissan Motor Corp., which racked up a $4.5 billion loss for the fiscal year through March, sorely needs a hot-seller, especially in the lucrative North American market. But the U.S. market is proving a big headache for all the Japanese automakers because of President Donald Trump's tariff policies. To achieve a turnaround, Nissan is working on reducing costs, strengthening business partnerships and redefining its lineup. That's where e-Power fits in, according to Akashi. Yokohama-based Nissan announced earlier this month that it's slashing about 15% of its global work force, or about 20,000 employees, and reducing the number of its auto plants to 10 from 17, under an ambitious recovery plan led by its new Chief Executive Ivan Espinosa. Nissan officials did not give a price for the upcoming e-Power models. The only other automaker offers a similar technology is 'kei,' or tiny car manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corp. E-Power is already offered on the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail model in Europe, and the Note in Japan. The upgraded version will be offered in the new Rogue in the U.S. Nissan, a pioneer in EVs with its Leaf, which went on sale in 2010, is also preparing beefed up EV models. It's also working on a solid-state battery which is expected to replace the lithium-ion batteries now widely used in hybrids, EVs and e-Power models. Analysts say Nissan is in danger of running out of cash and needs a partner. Speculation is rife its Yokohama headquarters building will get sold, or one of its Japan plants will be turned into a casino. Nissan started talks last year with Japanese rival Honda Motor Co. for a business integration but announced in February that it was dropping the talks. Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press
