The new Nissan Qashqai will be the first to receive the e-POWER powertrain.

The groundbreaking, innovative e-POWER transmission will be introduced to the Nissan Qashqai lineup this summer, once again breaking the benchmark in the newly launched crossover segment.

The new Qashqai is the first European model to feature the unique e-POWER transmission. Exclusive to Nissan vehicles, as a key component of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility strategy, it is unique among electrified powertrains for enhanced driving pleasure and efficiency.

“The introduction of the innovative e-POWER transmission to the new Qashqai underscores Nissan's leadership position in the crossover segment. Customers will enjoy driving an electric vehicle without having to recharge the battery. e-POWER is an important milestone in Nissan's electrification strategy,” said Guillaume Cartier, president of Nissan AMIEO.

Why electronic force?

Nissan research has shown that drivers of European crossovers spend more than 70% of their time behind the wheel of a car, driving around the city and its environs. It has also been proven that when choosing a vehicle, customers feel the need to combine driving pleasure with the highest possible level of environmental friendliness.

In response to this trend, Nissan has developed the e-POWER transmission, designed with European customers in mind. It delivers optimal fuel economy and driving pleasure like an electric vehicle, combining two of Nissan's strengths: advanced battery and electric motor technology, and an innovative variable compression internal combustion engine.

Therefore, e-POWER is the ideal solution for everyday drivers on urban or suburban routes who cannot or do not want to spend time charging the battery from a wall outlet, and at the same time are ready to take the first step towards an 100% electric car.

100% electric drive wheels

The e-POWER system consists of a high-performance battery powered by a 158 hp 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, and a 140 kW generator, inverter and electric motor, the size and power of which are similar to Nissan electric vehicle engines. The internal combustion engine generates energy that the inverter can deliver as electricity to a battery, an electric motor, or both, depending on the demand of the driving conditions.

This solution is different in that the electric motor is the only source of wheel drive, so that the car responds quickly and accelerates smoothly. It is an attractive alternative to traditional hybrid systems.

The e-POWER transmission of the new Nissan Qashqai is designed for the fun, smooth and smooth ride that comes with all-electric drives, but without the need to recharge the battery.

Best Selling Automotive Drive System

The e-POWER transmission was first used in Japan in 2017 on the compact Note, which became the best-selling car in the Japanese market in 2018.

For the new Nissan Qashqai, the e-POWER system has been significantly upgraded to meet the expectations of European customers and their daily urban or suburban driving. The Note model for the Japanese market is powered by a 1.2-litre (80 hp) three-cylinder battery-operated petrol engine. The total power of this system is 95 kW (127 hp). In the European version, the system has been upgraded to a 1.5L three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with a variable compression ratio, developing 158 hp and a total system output of 140 kW (190 hp). .

The advantage of e-POWER is the optimum operating range of the engine with the highest possible compression ratio, which means greater fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions compared to a conventional combustion engine, as well as greater driving comfort due to quieter engine operation. An additional benefit is the minimization of the negative impact of the e-POWER system on the air quality in the city.

Thanks to the all-electric drive, there are no delays in torque delivery, unlike a traditional hybrid system, where engine speed can increase significantly in response to the driver pressing the accelerator pedal. The instant response of the e-POWER transmission provides a unique and exciting driving experience in any driving situation.

For best performance during moments of fast acceleration or high speed, the e-POWER power control unit can transfer the power generated by the 1.5 liter engine directly through the inverter to the electric motor to increase battery power.

During deceleration and braking, kinetic energy is recovered and used to recharge the battery to improve system performance when needed.

“We know that potential buyers of Qashqai e-POWER will spend almost three-quarters of their time driving around the city and the surrounding area. It is for them that we have developed the e-POWER drive system, which guarantees the most economical, efficient and quiet engine operation in the most typical driving conditions. At the same time, we did not save on performance. The car accelerates quickly thanks to the all-electric wheel drive. There is also no gearbox that could interfere with the power transfer process,” said David Moss, senior vice president of research and development for the AMIEO region, Nissan Technical Center for Europe (NTCE).

Variable compression ratio

At the heart of Nissan's unique e-POWER powertrain is a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder, turbocharged, variable compression gasoline engine with 158 hp developed specifically for this system. First introduced in Infiniti, Nissan's premium brand, the variable compression ratio is unique to internal combustion engines. It allows you to adjust the compression ratio, thus providing optimal performance and economy depending on the amount of engine load. Before the solution was first applied to Infiniti in 2018, the engine itself was ranked among the top 10 engines in the world by American automotive consultancy Ward's.

Compression ratio range from 8:1 to 14:1. This was achieved thanks to the possibility of adjusting the piston stroke depending on the power consumption of the system.

When power requirements are low—for example, when driving at a constant speed and when the battery level is high—the compression ratio is higher, which helps to optimize fuel consumption and emissions. On the other hand, when there is a high demand for power and the need to recharge the battery or transfer power directly to the engine, a lower compression mode is activated to maximize engine power. The transition between the individual compression ratios is imperceptible, the driver does not need to take any action.

“E-POWER on the Qashqai is a unique Nissan technology that puts driving performance and driving pleasure at the forefront. In developing this system for the European market, we have made every effort to ensure that Nissan Qashqai e-POWER drivers do not give up driving. Our technologies combine the best to reflect the most important things for Nissan - courage, innovation and innovation, putting the driver first,” added David Moss.

Linear melody

Key to the development of the Qashqai's e-POWER system was the need to provide a "natural" driving experience - matching engine speed to vehicle speed. Linear Tune is the result of a collaboration between Nissan Technical Center Europe (NTCE) engineers in the UK and Spain. This feature manages the operation of the gasoline engine by causing the engine to gradually increase in speed to meet power requirements as you accelerate, while eliminating the effects of engine mismatch and noise on drivers and passengers. The discrepancy between the engine speed and the speed of the car causes a feeling of discomfort for drivers and passengers. Auto users often describe a sudden burst of engine speed without the accompanying proportional acceleration as frustrating and "inconsistent". The Linear Tune feature in the e-POWER transmission is the antidote to such situations.

electronic pedal step

Like the LEAF, the e-POWER system on the new Nissan Qashqai provides the driver with a unique driving experience thanks to the e-Pedal Step system. Designed to eliminate the tedious need to constantly accelerate and brake in the city, requiring the driver to move their foot frequently from brake to accelerator pedal and vice versa, e-Pedal Step allows you to accelerate and brake using only the accelerator pedal. pedal.

The e-Pedal Step function must be activated using the switch on the center console. As soon as the engine starts, depressing the accelerator pedal provides a "classic" boost in speed. When the pedal is released, the e-Pedal Step will begin to decelerate the vehicle with approximately 0.2g deceleration, enough to activate the brake lights. The vehicle will slow to a creeping speed without stopping. This solution also ensures maximum smoothness of parking maneuvers at low speeds. Drivers quickly adjust the pressure on the accelerator pedal for a smooth ride that is more intuitive and less demanding.

electrified landfill

For potential Nissan Qashqai customers, the introduction of the e-POWER variant means more choice. The current version of the mild hybrid 1.3-liter engine is available in two power options: 140 hp. (103 kW) and 158 hp (116 kW). Both deliver high performance while minimizing fuel consumption and emissions.

The third generation of the Qashqai crossover remains true to its original premise - unique design and high levels of interior comfort, while using intuitive technologies and driving dynamics to match.

“We are confident that Nissan's innovative e-POWER technology will provide customers with an electric driving experience without the inconvenience of limited range. The new transmission combines driving pleasure with a greener approach to everyday life. Overall, the Qashqai e-POWER will convince drivers who are not yet ready for a 100% electric vehicle, but who want to be more environmentally friendly and enjoy the daily driving experience typical of electric vehicles,” said Arnaud Charpentier, Vice President, Product Strategy and Pricing. Nissan by region AMIEO.

Technical data with e-POWER

• Force - HP (kW) - 190 (140)
• Torque - Nm - 330
• Drive - 2WD
• Fuel consumption (combined cycle) - l / 100 km - 5.3 *
• Emission level (combined cycle) — g/km — 119*

* Data will be confirmed after approval.

Photo: Nissan