A few days ago, Nissan presented the third generation of its most important model, the Qashqai. The compact SUV has been completely revamped to remain competitive in an increasingly crowded segment of highly successful rivals, including models such as the Hyundai Tucson, which has also just released a new generation.
One of the incredible novelties of the Qashqai is its commitment to electrification. The SUV will feature both 12-volt mild-hybrid versions and a pure e-Power hybrid. Diesel engines, for their part, will disappear completely, a trend that had already begun to occur in the lower segments and little by little is spreading to more categories.
The e-Power technology has a very particular operation: the electric motor is in charge of driving the vehicle, while the thermal propeller acts exclusively as a generator. The set yields a power of 190 CV. This solution, seen in extended-range electric cars such as the Opel Ampera, only applies to plug-in models, not conventional hybrids.
While the Hyundai Tucson, Peugeot 3008, and Volkswagen Tiguan already have plug-in hybrid versions, Nissan has decided that the Qashqai does not have a variant of this type. According to the Japanese company, e-Power technology eliminates the need to offer this option in the range of its best sellers.
For now, Nissan will be able to do without the launch of a Qashqai plug-in hybrid thanks to the Ariya, a 100% electric SUV located between the Qashqai itself and the X-Trail by size. This model will lower the Japanese firm’s average emissions and offer customers a plug-in alternative with autonomy of up to 310 miles.
However, it is not ruled out that in the future, a version of this type will reach the Qashqai range, although the question remains whether it will use the Mitsubishi plug-in hybrid technology or that of Renault. Although the second-generation Renault Kadjar, brother of the Nissan Qashqai, was initially launched with a plug-in hybrid powertrain of Mitsubishi origin, due to the new emissions regulations, the French brand will bet on an E-TECH Plug-in variant of its original self.