issan plans to go all-electric by 2030, but not all customers are ready to jump on the full EV train yet.
That’s why the company has introduced what it calls a transition technology called e-POWER as a stepping stone to full EV.
Nissan has sold 5.5 million Qashqais in 40 countries since its launch in 2007. Designed in London, developed in Cranfield and built in Sunderland, the new e-POWER Qashqai features a 1.5-litre three-cylinder variable compression ratio turbo engine that produces 190 horsepower.
It can alternate between more or less powerful outputs depending on the circumstances. For example, a high power for climbing a hill and a lower power for driving in the city.
Not hybrid
But the motor does not drive the wheels. It produces electrical energy for the car’s 140 kW electric motor, which powers the car’s two-wheel drive. So what you have is an electrically powered car that doesn’t need to be plugged in, but isn’t a hybrid because the gasoline engine doesn’t power the wheels.
This is good news and bad. Many people will find that they don’t have to plug in any advantage. But with an electric motor, batteries and a motor you carry quite a bit of weight. Nevertheless, Nissan claims it has a range of 1,000 km and can handle 53.3 mpg.
What you do get is impressive refinement. The motor has noise canceling technology and is commendably quiet while driving. It is also well equipped with intelligent energy braking, Propilot with Navi Link and a central airbag. The most important information is provided by three screens, including a head-up display.
nice
Cab quality in Nissans has improved tremendously in recent years and the Qashqai e-POWERs are a pleasant place to be. Some of the trim is finished in a textured black plastic, which is a nice change from piano black, which shows dust and fingerprints. It is spacious, with plenty of head and legroom front and rear.
Electric powered means you can ride with e-Pedal, a system that regenerates power and allows you to ride with just one pedal. Under normal circumstances, you should never touch the brakes, except in an emergency.
Prices for the Qashqai range from £26,045 for the DIGT 140 2WD manual in Visia specification to £40,980 for the top of the range e-POWER 190 2WD Auto in Tekna+ specification.
The e-POWER system will make sense to many people who think that the charging infrastructure is not yet developed enough to commit to the switch to a fully electric car. Nissan believes this new model could be their last new car for these folks before making the jump to a full EV.
The facts
Nissan Qashqai e-POWER
Price: from £32,940 for e-POWER versions
0-62mph: 7.9 seconds
Top speed:105mph