After a worryingly lengthy lull in new product launches, Nissan appears to have rediscovered its mojo. Sizzling on the heels of the new Leaf is the third era of the corporate’s pioneering e-Energy hybrid system, which made its debut within the Qashqai SUV in Europe.
Whereas trying very a lot an identical to the facelifted mannequin revealed final yr, the pretty unassuming C-segment SUV is all-new underneath the bonnet. The e-Energy self-charging setup guarantees to be quieter but extra highly effective, all of the whereas delivering a WLTP-rated vary of 1,200 km on a single tank of petrol.
The turbocharged three-cylinder generator might have the identical nominal 1.5 litre capability because the outgoing unit, but it surely’s a brand-new unit particularly designed for e-Energy functions. The principle innovation is the adoption of Nissan’s proprietary StarC combustion idea, optimising the consumption manifold, combustion chamber and piston form to take care of a powerful tumble circulate within the centre of the cylinder. This stabilises combustion when the engine is operating lean on the fastened rev vary for electrical energy era.
Nissan claims that the adjustments have elevated the thermal effectivity to a powerful 42%, whereas a brand new, bigger turbo has contributed to a 200 rpm lower in engine speeds at freeway driving, decreasing cabin noise by as a lot as 5.6 dB.
Different adjustments embrace the ditching of the difficult VC-Turbo variable compression expertise (made redundant by the engine’s different upgrades), a discount in friction via the usage of 0W-16 engine oil and helpful 5,000 km enhance within the service intervals to twenty,000 km. In fact, the engine stays unconnected to the wheels and doesn’t drive the wheels in any respect, as an alternative being solely used to energy the electrical motor.
Talking of which, the stated motor is now a five-to-one modular unit that mixes the traction motor itself with the generator, inverter, reducer and increaser. This additional reduces noise and vibration underneath load when coupled with the improved engine calibration and sound insulation, whereas energy is up a helpful 15 PS (14 PS of which comes by placing the automobile into Sport mode) to 205 PS.
Extra importantly, regardless of the battery measurement remaining an identical at 2.1 kWh, the adjustments have resulted in a 16% discount in real-world gas consumption and a 14% discount in freeway driving. Formally, the Qashqai is able to a WLTP determine as little as 4.5 litres per 100 km, resulting in the aforementioned 1,200 km of vary. Carbon dioxide emissions have additionally been dropped some 12% to 102 grams per kilometre.
Nissan says the longer vary means the Qashqai e-Energy will now journey additional than most conventional plug-in hybrids with out the necessity to cease and cost. As such, the automobile will present a gateway in the direction of electrification for these nonetheless sceptical about EVs or who’re incapable of switching to 1, whereas nonetheless delivering the advantages of prompt torque and low noise, the carmaker added.
Other than the brand new powertrain, the Qashqai has additionally been enhanced for 2025 with built-in Google companies reminiscent of Google Maps, the Google Assistant and the Play Retailer. There’s additionally an enhanced ProPilot Degree 2 semi-autonomous driving perform with improved multi-lane autonomy, delivering higher site visitors monitoring and consciousness of the encompassing setting. The up to date mannequin will go on sale in Europe in September.
In Malaysia, Nissan’s e-Energy expertise is presently solely supplied on the Kicks, launched right here on the Kuala Lumpur Worldwide Mobility Present (KLIMS) late final yr. The “new” X-Path was presupposed to debut the second-generation system with the VC-Turbo engine, however there’s been no information on that entrance for the reason that automobile was previewed on the similar present.
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