Many drivers are basically ready for e-mobility, but for various reasons they cannot or do not want to enter into an alliance with the electric car for the time being. That’s partly because they don’t have a garage or driveway in which to install a wallbox. Or there are no, or at least not enough, charging options in their urban environment. Nissan now wants to carefully introduce this customer group to the topic and wait for a reasonable charging infrastructure to emerge with a bridging technology. E-Power is the name of the technical concept that is now on its way in the Quashqai and the X-Trail.
The principle is simple. On board is a 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine with three cylinders and variable displacement between 1477 and 1497 cubic centimetres. It serves exclusively as a generator to supply energy to the electric traction motor and a small battery as an intermediate store. This idea already existed at Opel and was implemented in the Ampera. Thanks to the variable displacement, however, the combustion engine can always adapt to the respective performance requirements and work with optimum efficiency. This significantly reduces fuel consumption compared to a conventional hybrid drive; instead of 7.1 to 7.6 liters, the front-wheel drive X-Trail can cover 100 kilometers with 5.8 to 6.2 liters. The tank content is good for a range of almost 1000 kilometers.
The electric motor in the X-Trail has an output of 140 kW (204 hp) and 330 Newton meters of torque, the petrol engine has 158 hp (116 kW) and a peak torque of 250 Nm. A top speed of 170 km/h is possible, and the Nissan needs eight seconds for the standard sprint. The X-Trail with all-wheel drive is even more powerful, since a second electric motor with an output of 100 kW (136 hp) is installed on the rear axle and provides additional propulsion. The manufacturer specifies 157 kW (214 hp) as the system performance. The all-wheel drive version called “e-4orce” has a maximum speed of 180 km/h and sprints from a standing start to 100 km/h in seven seconds.
The drive of the Qashqai is slightly weaker, the electric motor delivers 140 kW (190 hp) and a maximum torque of 330 Nm. It reaches a top speed of 170 km/h and needs 7.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. 5.4 liters are enough for the 100-kilometer route. Its tank volume corresponds to that of the X-Trail, so ideally it can cover more than 1000 kilometers.
Both versions are comfortable and smooth to drive. You only have to get used to the pithy running noise of the combustion engine, which maintains its speed almost regardless of the speed. This is compensated for by the e-pedal position, in which the vehicle brakes with a delay of 0.2 G when the accelerator pedal is released. Since this is a high value, the brake lights at the rear also light up in this case. Purely electric driving is only possible over very short sections, the battery with a volume of just over one kWh has energy ready for just two or three blocks. There is no provision for external reloading.
If you want to pull heavy loads, you won’t get very far with the e-Power system. Both variants can attach a maximum of 670 or 750 kilograms. The e-4orce all-wheel drive manages significantly more, it can tow 1800 kilograms in the five-seater version and 1650 kilograms in the seven-seater.
According to the importer, the Nissan dealers are pleased with the new models. Because unlike a purely electric car, the maintenance costs are significantly higher due to the combustion engine. However, that will change in the foreseeable future. As early as 2026, the brand wants to achieve a 75 percent share of pure electric mobility in Germany, and by 2030 only electric vehicles will be sold. Nissan is preparing two new series for this, a crossover version and a compact electrician. (Michael Kirchberger/cen)
