New Nissan QASHQAI gets hybrid

Taking the fight to the Mitsubishi ASX and Hyundai Kona, Nissan has confirmed a 1.5-litre e-POWER hybrid powertrain for the incoming third-generation Nissan QASHQAI.

And the hi-tech new propulsion system is almost certain to be offered in Australia.

An updated 1.3-litre mild-hybrid powertrain will also be available in Europe, where Nissan looks set to adopt an all-electrified powertrain strategy for its popular small SUV.

But the mild-hybrid is less likely for this market as Nissan Australia considers other, more conventional engine options.

Due to arrive in Australia in late 2021 or early 2022, the new Nissan QASHQAI could mark the Australian debut of e-POWER, which is a non-plug-in hybrid system that sees the petrol engine act as a generator to recharge the battery while the electric motor drives the wheels.

In the case of the new Nissan QASHQAI, the e-POWER system drives the front wheels only using a 140kW/330Nm electric motor, while the 1.5-litre engine generates a maximum 113kW.

Nissan describes the e-POWER set-up as “a unique solution that combines the enjoyable, seamless linear acceleration which is characteristic of an EV, but without the need for charging”.

Like the full-electric Nissan LEAF, the QASHQAI e-POWER features an e-Pedal mode that is claimed to allow for “one pedal” driving, with strong deceleration when drivers back off the throttle.

The 1.3-litre turbo-petrol mild-hybrid powertrain pumps out up to 118kW/270Nm and is available with either a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT). It adds a small lithium-ion battery, coasting/engine-cut function, engine stop-start, regenerative deceleration and a 6Nm torque boost when required.

Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions are also offered.

The new-gen Nissan QASHQAI is expected to be revealed in full early this year.

To date, the car-maker has release camouflaged images of the vehicle in testing and teased the front-end styling which shows a sleek new take on the compact SUV’s aesthetic.

Longer, wider and taller than before, with an extended wheelbase, the new Nissan QASHQAI will offer more interior space and a much larger boot, claimed to be more than 500 litres in capacity.

The new-look cabin has been exposed, which features a modern take on the conventional small SUV interior decor with a sleek new gear shift lever, simplified controls and large twin LCD screens, including a digital instrument cluster.

Wireless phone charging, USB-C ports, a head-up display and even massage seats will be offered.

Expect a full suite of semi-autonomous driving aids grouped under the brand’s ProPILOT umbrella too.

Based on a new platform architecture dubbed CMF-C shared across the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, the new Nissan QASHQAI will be significantly lighter and more efficient across the board, adopting more aluminium in its construction and a rear tailgate made from composite materials.

In Australia, there are currently only a handful of electrified options in the small SUV segment, including the Toyota C-HR Hybrid and Subaru XV Hybrid, plus the more expensive all-electric MG ZS and Hyundai Kona.

Nissan is expected to unleash more e-POWER models in due course, including an electrically-propelled version of the Nissan X-TRAIL due in 2022.