The e-POWER system is composed of a high-performance battery that is complemented by a 1.5-liter three-cylinder variable compression turbocharged gasoline engine that generates 156 HP, a power generator, an inverter and a 140 kW electric motor similar in size and power output to those found in Nissan electric vehicles. The gasoline engine generates electricity, which can be transmitted via the inverter to the battery pack, the electric motor, or both, depending on the driving scenario.
What differentiates this powertrain is that the electric motor is the only source of traction to the wheels, so its response is instantaneous and linear.
The Qashqai's new e-POWER system was designed to deliver the smooth, effortless and enjoyable driving experience associated with a pure electric vehicle, but without the need to recharge.
Variable compression
At the heart of Nissan's unique e-POWER system is a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged variable compression petrol engine that has been developed specifically for this application. First used by Nissan's premium brand, Infiniti, the engine's variable compression capability is a unique feature in an internal combustion engine and allows you to adjust the compression ratio, giving optimal performance and economy depending on load. the motor. Before its first introduction in 2018 at Infiniti, it was listed as one of the top 10 engines in the world by Ward's, a US-based automotive consultancy.
The variation in compression ratio ranges between 8:1 and 14:1. This is achieved by moving an actuator that changes the length of the piston stroke according to the power demand.
In low power demand scenarios, such as constant speed with a good state of charge in the battery, the compression ratio will be in the highest range, which optimizes consumption and emissions. Under high power demand, to charge the battery or supply power directly to the engine, a lower compression ratio will be engaged which will maximize the power output of the engine. The transition between the different compression ratios is seamless, without the need for driver intervention.
“The e-POWER system in the Qashqai is a unique Nissan technology that puts efficiency and driving pleasure at the forefront of the driving experience. When developing this system for Europe, we were committed to ensuring that the driving experience was not compromised for Qashqai e-POWER drivers. This technology offers the best of both worlds and represents the best of Nissan: bold, pioneering and innovative, while putting the driver first," said David Moss, Senior Vice President of Regional Research and Development, Nissan AMIEO.
Direct relation
Key to developing the e-POWER system for the Qashqai was the need to ensure the driving experience gave a 'connected' feel, where the speed of the petrol engine remains relative to the road speed of the Qashqai. Engineers at the Nissan Technical Center Europe (NTCE) in the United Kingdom and Spain collaborated on the development of a system called "Linear Tune." This feature governs the gasoline engine and progressively increases the speed of the 1.5-liter engine to meet the power demands of the engine as the car accelerates, ensuring that there is no "disconnect" between what the occupants experience in terms of performance and sound. The disparity between engine speed and road speed is a phenomenon that drivers and passengers find unsatisfactory. For example, a sudden increase in engine revolutions without a proportional increase in speed is perceived as frustrating and "disengaged" by occupants. Linear Tune in e-POWER is the antidote to that.
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