Nissan Qashqai Hybrid has been revealed ahead of its Australian arrival.
Nissan Qashqai will gain an e-Power hybrid option later this year, becoming the first model in Australia to be driven by Nissan’s updated e-power technology.
The powertrain is an uprated version of that first used in the Nissan Note in 2017. It pairs a 113kW 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a 22kW electric motor. It will join the rest of the next-generation Qashqai line-up in Australia.
Using technology first introduced by Nissan-owned premium brand Infiniti, the engine is able to optimise emissions and consumption in low-power scenarios or power the battery when more power is used.
Nissan says the powertrain provides “superior fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions” compared with a regular ICE car. According to Nissan, drivers can expect a combined figure of 5.3L/100km.
Nissan expects Qashqai e-Power drivers to spend most of their time in urban or suburban areas. The car features a one-pedal driving system to accommodate this, which brakes at a force of 0.2g – enough to illuminate the brake lights. The car doesn’t stop completely but can recuperate energy under deceleration and braking.
“We’ve developed the e-Power system to run as efficiently, effectively and discreetly as possible in those circumstances,” said David Moss, senior vice-president of research and development at Nissan’s European technical centre.
“But there’s no compromise to the driving performance. Acceleration is instant, thanks to the pure-electric drive to the wheels, and there’s no gearbox to interrupt the power delivery.”
As revealed in Europe overnight, the Qashqai will retain its 1.3-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine option alongside the new e-Power system, with two available power outputs of 101kW and 114kW.
Nissan hasn’t yet revealed pricing information for the Qashqai e-Power but has confirmed that the powertrain will be introduced in late 2022.
The smaller Nissan Juke Hybrid crossover will also gain boosted power and efficiency from a hybrid system but is so far only for Europe, with a new engine that has resulted from Nissan’s partnership with Renault.
The new Juke’s powertrain is significantly more restrained than the Qashqai’s, partnering a 69kW 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 36kW electric motor for a total of 104kW.
Nissan Australia will confirm pricing and specifications closer to the model arrival here.
Jack Warrick