New Electric 2023 NISSAN QASHQAI E-Power Hybrid Detailed

#AUTOMAGZ New details of the 2023 Nissan Qashqai E-Power hybrid small SUV have been revealed for Europe, ahead of first Australian arrivals as soon as late 2022. Nissan's rival for top-selling Toyota small SUVs, the new Qashqai E-Power will debut the Japanese brand's unique E-Power hybrid technology when it reaches Australia as soon as later this year – after the 1.3-litre petrol-only range, due within the coming months. Whereas a Toyota-style hybrid can power its wheels using the petrol engine and/or the electric motor, the engine in a Nissan E-Power model is used as a generator to top up the battery, which in turn feeds energy to the electric motor and spins the wheels. According to Nissan, the «Qashqai's E-Power system was conceived to deliver the pleasurable, effortless and smooth driving experience associated with a pure EV [electric vehicle], but without the need to recharge.» Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine developing 115kW – with variable compression ratio technology – paired to a power generator, inverter, and 140kW/330Nm electric motor on the front axle. Nissan has now confirmed the Qashqai E-Power is estimated to sip 5.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres – eight per cent more than the Toyota C-HR Hybrid according to European WLTP testing, which quotes 4.9L/100km. Toyota Australia quotes 4.3L/100km for a similar C-HR Hybrid variant – though this is measured against less stringent test procedures.