Nissan has revealed the first details of the new Nissan Note e-Power, which has just gone on sale in Japan. As previously reported, it’s a range extender hybrid, but while most REx vehicles – such as the BMW i3 – have a plug-in socket to charge the battery, Nissan’s system uses only the engine to provide the juice.
That engine is a 79 PS/103 Nm 1.2 litre HR12DE three-cylinder engine, which is only there to feed the 109 PS/254 Nm electric motor from the Leaf; the petrol mill is not connected to the driven wheels, so none of its power actually reaches the ground. Nissan says that the system allows drivers to enjoy the benefits of an electric motor – such as maximum torque from standstill – without having to worry about charging the battery.
The presence of the range extender also means that the battery can be made much smaller (just 1/20th the size of the one in the Leaf), enabling it to be placed under the front seats to maintain interior space. All-in-all, the Note e-Power delivers a fuel economy figure of up to 37.2 km per litre on the Japanese JC08 cycle.
In order to reduce the inevitable din of the petrol engine when it is engaged, all models feature increased sound insulation at the front and rear, while the top-spec Medallist variant also receives soundproofing along the sides of the car to keep out road noise.
Differentiating the e-Power model from standard petrol-powered variants is the blue trim around the grille and a smattering of e-Power badges around the car, while the interior gains a stubby drive mode selector from the Leaf, in place of a traditional gearlever. Also fitted is a unique instrument cluster with dedicated displays for the newfangled drivetrain.
Prices start at 1,772,280 yen (RM72,000) for the base e-Power S, which comes with halogen headlights, 14-inch steel wheels with hubcaps, keyless entry, push-button start and manual air-con. The 1,959,120 yen (RM79,600) e-Power X adds auto air-con, Intelligent Brake Assist and Lane Departure Warning, while the 2,244,240 yen (RM91,200) e-Power Medallist tacks on LED headlights, fog lights, 15-inch alloys, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a rear centre armrest, in addition to the aforementioned soundproofing.
Nissan has also released details about the rest of the facelifted Note range – all models gain a new V-motion front grille, as well as a revised front bumper design that gives a lower and wider look. Also fitted are revised LED combination tail lights with boomerang signature lighting, plus a redesigned rear bumper.
Inside, the Note has been embellished with a new three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel from the new Serena. An Intelligent Around View Monitor, integrated into the rear-view mirror Saga-style, is available as an option, and all models come with Intelligent Brake Assist autonomous emergency braking and Lane Departure Warning.
Petrol models get an option between the same 1.2 litre HR12DE engine as the e-Power – this time actually powering the front wheels – and a 1.2 litre direct injection HR12DDR mill that pumps out 98 PS and 142 Nm. All variants are equipped with an Xtronic CVT, and there’s also a four-wheel drive option utilising a rear-mounted electric motor.
Available in S, X and Medallist X trims and X DIG-S and Medallist direct-injected forms, the Note is priced between 1,393,200 yen (RM56,700) and 1,985,040 yen (RM80,700). There’s also a Mode Premier package on the X, X DIG-S and e-Power X models that adds an Autech bodykit and 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels.
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Quite the solution actually, it makes transitioning from a ICE car to an EV much better given the Note relatively cheap position in the Nissan’s range and perfect for its roll of a city car, insta torque coupled with an efficient engine which now can be used more linearly instead of relying on high rpm to keep in moving, also negate range anxiety. A small battery also keeps it cheap and less bulky. Thou no mention of weather there’s an EV only mode nor how far can it actually go thou.
Bravo AVH. Your comments are of substance & you stick to the topic without going overboard. That is a comment worthy of praise unlike some.
I’m just commenting on what is appropriate. I enjoy a healthy conversation and maybe a little joke the most.
It’s mentioned in the article.
“Nissan’s system uses only the engine to provide the juice”
It’s a shame actually, but with 1/20th of Leaf’s battery capacity could translate to less than 10km anyway if in full EV mode.
I wonder how loud is petrol charger in operation. Early plug-in hybrid engine suffer from this noise as Paultan team discover from Exora plug-in hybrid prototype
That’s a prototype the exora. The problem here is that this is Japan and not everyone has the luxury of their own parking space(let alone plug point) to enjoy the benefit of a full EV, which is why Japanese car maker believe in a hydrogen future. Also this being a development over the existing car means that little can be done to make it a full EV without extreme modification to the platform.
The other benefit is price, the fully electric Leaf starts at high ¥3million all the way to ¥4.3million while the most expensive Note E-power ends at ¥2.2million. Battery for all its advancement is still pretty expensive, the little Renault Zoe EV is a significant price jump over the any standard B-segment and approaching D-segment prices even with its tax exampted. I’d say this is a step up over the system in the Honda Accord hybrid which still can mechanically connect to the wheels at higher speed (acting as a 6th gear), more cars should have this system as electric motor has a significant advantage over any form of gasoline car in city driving , both in performance and efficiency.
I am shocked at this Nissan Hybrid. Amazing how Nissan has come out with hybrid without plug in socket.
My question is this…where is Proton’s Hybrid and EV cars? Proton promised their Hybrid 8 years ago. They took lots of our money to do research to develop a hybrid. Where has the money gone and where is the Proton Hybrid?
Then Proton showcased their EV Iriz 3 years ago. Big hoo haa. They again asked gomen more money to come out with a production Iriz EV. What happened? Where is the money and where is the car? Our money mah!
Asking is not receiveing
what a brainless kunta is asking. always bashing , just to get RM50 from his master. Proton hybrid already completed its development 8 years ago. current stage, inveatment for production . the cost equal to building up a new factory
It’s now up to toyota and that free piston engine… if it ever gets into production. This Note e-Power has the correct setup for a range extender. What I would like to know is, will this car charge up the battery while it’s parked via the engine?
Will TCM ever launch the Note here? Last I heard about it is like 2 years ago!
Coming Soon…
Will it discharge faster than it can charge, like my Android phone?
Maybe your charger and/or cable is defective
Standby powerbank.
if it’s honda batch, it will sell even better in malaysia.
Will the battery be like the other kinda Note?
Speaking of which, it has the similar technology with a diesel-electric locomotive. The diesel engine is only meant to feed power to generator that will produce electricity for the electric motor to move the locomotive.
Also, ex-TopGear trio (JC;RH;JM) has applied similar ideas with the “Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust”, after some technical improvements by James by employing small home-use diesel generator to produce electricity to power the electric motor. Nice…