KLIMS18: Nissan Note e-Power on display – petrol-powered range extender EV testing the waters

KLIMS18: Nissan Note e-Power on display – petrol-powered range extender EV testing the waters

Nissan distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) is looking to the future by bringing two electric cars to the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS). While the new Leaf is being previewed ahead of a mid-2019 launch, the Note e-Power you see here is a little different – displayed without the bonnet, it’s mainly meant to gauge public reaction for the range extender electric powertrain technology hidden within.

However, given that ETCM itself has revealed plans to introduce e-Power vehicles in Malaysia at some point, the showing of this car at the show is very much the company’s statement of intent. The important thing to note (no pun intended) is that while the Note e-Power is technically an electric vehicle, there’s no socket for you to plug it up to the mains and charge it.

Instead, there’s a 79 PS/103 Nm 1.2 litre HR12DE three-cylinder engine, which acts solely as a generator for the 109 PS/254 Nm electric motor from the previous 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 provides the benefits of an electric motor – such as maximum torque from standstill – without the accompanying range anxiety.

KLIMS18: Nissan Note e-Power on display – petrol-powered range extender EV testing the waters

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 old 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.

Will the Note e-Power be launched in Malaysia? There’s still no timeframe for the powertrain technology, and ETCM’s sales and marketing director Chris Tan has categorically ruled out the possibility of the Note version being sold here. However, a local launch would dovetail with spyshots of a Japanese domestic model being tested over here – although that could simply be a grey import wearing trade plates.

It has to be said that as a means to get the Malaysian public on board with electric vehicles, e-Power strikes us as an ideal platform, since the EV charging network in the country is still in its infancy.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Edi John Rejang Lingerie on Nov 23, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    If this car masuk, hahislah Nissan Note. As Nissan Note Hybrid looks beautiful and stunning design as comparing to Toyota Yaris and Vios. Whereas Vios and Yaris looks worst and look like ah beng. Now, Edi John Rejang, John Minum Teh 8X and Pilihanraya Kalah Teruk are obviously hiding like caves

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 4
  • Nissan ETCM leading 3rd national car project, EVs & autonomous driving.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Edi John Rejang Lingerie on Nov 23, 2018 at 4:27 pm

    If this car masuk, hahislah Toyota Vios and Yaris. As Nissan Note Hybrid looks beautiful and stunning design as comparing to Toyota Yaris and Vios. Whereas Vios and Yaris looks worst and look like ah beng. Now, Edi John Rejang, John Minum Teh 8X and Pilihanraya Kalah Teruk are obviously hiding like caves

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 0
    • Edi John Rejang Lingerie on Nov 23, 2018 at 6:54 pm

      Guys this is right statement as comparing to the first statement

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Hahaha… Better not lie about bringing the Note ePower into Malaysia (You lied during KLIMS 2013) Tan Chong Motor

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
    • From last KLIMS to current KLIMS. 5 years long. Nothing has changed.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Darren on Nov 23, 2018 at 5:07 pm

    ETCM have been testing the waters since 2014. Highly doubt it’s coming. They prefer to blame others for their follies and bad choices in selling outdated cars.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Max291 on Nov 25, 2018 at 8:30 am

    So, note e-power is actually 1.2L car without transmission. Should just call it hybrid instead of EV. Same with their Serena S-Hybrid, it’s just a refrigerator with bigger aux battery, equivalent to i-stop system. Nissan is so syok sendiri.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • ICE as range extender, no mechanical link between wheels and ICE engine, that is different from Prius

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • e-Power is indeed a brilliant idea, should have 0% excise duty if made locally.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ETCM? Forget about this company, give this company another 5 yrs it will drop out the top 10 position.
    Just visited KLIMS feel that ETCM is totally not doing business merely just to show its principal, Nissan that they are still active. As one of the Top 10 vehicle distributors, it only located at upper floor as a stand slone car distributor and with those non passengers car like Kawasaki, Isuzu and those displays antique cars and those companies do call related “directly” to car industry.
    When you look at this Note E- Power you will feel that you looking at our national car, Proton Saga, Not the new Saga but is the old Saga. When you sit in the car you will a lot of similarities like- manual seat advisement controls, light on off switch and lots of control items that we see in the 80s and 90s.
    ETCM not willing to spend money on promotions, not willing to give the latest equipment to Malaysian consumers and slow in response to customer requirements but maintain its thinking that Malaysian consumers are not knowledgable and don’t know our rights as consumers.
    We should united and show that we will tolak those vehicles that is partially advance but mainly discriminating Malaysian consumers!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • stastasta on Nov 27, 2018 at 2:17 pm

      tan chong brought in lots of new and exciting models

      renault clio
      renault koleos
      renault megane
      renault captur

      subaru xv
      subaru forester
      subaru levorg
      subaru brz

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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