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 at the moment. This is partly because they don’t have a garage or driveway in which to install a wallbox. Or there aren’t, or at least not enough, charging options in their urban environment. Nissan now wants to introduce this customer group carefully to the topic and wait for a sensible charging infrastructure to emerge with connection technology. E-Power is the name of the technical concept which is now coming to Quashqai and X-Trail.
The principle is simple. On board is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with three cylinders and displacement varying 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 reserve. 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 maximum efficiency. This significantly reduces fuel consumption compared to a conventional hybrid drive; instead of 7.1-7.6 liters, the front-wheel drive X-Trail can cover 100 kilometers on 5.8-6.2 liters. The contents of the tank are good for a range of almost 1000 kilometres.
The electric motor of the X-Trail has an output of 140 kW (204 hp) and a torque of 330 Nm, the petrol engine has 158 hp (116 kW) and a maximum torque of 250 Nm. A maximum speed of 170 km/h and the Nissan needs eight seconds for the standard sprint. The X-Trail with all-wheel drive is even more powerful, as 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 power. The all-wheel drive version called “e-4orce” has a top speed of 180 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in seven seconds.
The Qashqai’s traction 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 takes 7.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. 5.4 liters are sufficient for the 100-kilometer journey. Its tank volume corresponds to that of the X-Trail, so it can ideally cover more than 1000 kilometers.
Both versions are comfortable and smooth to ride. You just have to get used to the pithy running noise of the combustion engine, which maintains its speed almost regardless of speed. This is compensated for by the e-pedal position, where the vehicle brakes with a delay of 0.2G when the accelerator pedal is released. Since this is a high value, the rear brake lights also come on in this case. Purely electric driving is only possible over very short distances, the battery with a volume of just over one kWh has ready energy for only two to three blocks. There is no external charging.
If you want to tow 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 handles much more, it can tow 1800 kilograms in the five-seater version and 1650 kilograms in the seven-seater.
According to the importer, Nissan dealers are satisfied 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 near 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 it, a crossover version and a compact electrician. (Michael Kirchberger/cen)
