Nissan Note e-Power NISMO S gets more muscle

Nissan's high-performance sub-brand has produced a more powerful version of the Nissan Note hatchback, which could one day come to Australia.

Badging the more powerful hybrid small car as the 'Note e-Power NISMO S', Nissan has blessed the upgraded hot hatch with 25 per cent more power and torque thanks to a small electric motor that now pushes out 100kW and 320Nm.

The faster NISMO S generates its extra power thanks to a revised inverter, new vehicle control module and increased electrical output.

Nissan hasn't released any performance figures for the new Note e-Power NISMO S, but it's expected to be significantly quicker than the old version, which could only sprint to 100km/h in 10 seconds.

Featuring technology derived from the pure-electric Nissan LEAF, the Note e-Power's small petrol 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine does not power the wheels. Instead, it works like a generator, and the energy it produces is stored in a smaller, lighter and cheaper battery than a traditional pure-electric vehicle.

Unlike other range-extender hybrids like the BMW i3, the Note e-Power does without a plug-in facility.

As well as the power and torque boost, the Note e-Power NISMO S also gains a pair of LED headlights and new badging.

It's still not known if Nissan Australia has any plans to import the Note e-Power, but its people-mover (rather than SUV) style of design may count against it in the eyes of Australian buyers.

Pricing is yet to be announced for Nissan's newest NISMO model, but the cost of the regular Note e-Power NISMO starts at 1.79 million Yen ($A22,000) in Japan.