This is a surprise – aside from launching the Kicks e-Power, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has also previewed its next model to carry Nissan’s e-Power hybrid technology at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS). The show car wears a blue camouflage wrap with the powertrain’s buzzwords, but there’s no hiding what it is: the fourth-generation X-Trail.
Coming over four years after it was revealed in the US (as the Rogue), the seven-seater C-segment SUV nevertheless represents an improvement in lead time for ETCM as it’s still a current model. Details on local specs, equipment and launch timeline have not been provided just yet, but we can safely assume it will arrive in dealers sometime next year.
Power comes from a front-mounted electric motor producing 204 PS (150 kW) and 330 Nm of torque. In place of the Kicks’ 1.2 litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder engine sits a larger, more powerful 1.5 litre KR15DDT turbocharged three-pot featuring Nissan’s variable-compression (VC-Turbo) technology. This uses a complicated series of links to vary the pistons’ top dead centre (TDC) and bottom dead centre (BDC), providing greater control of both power and efficiency.
The mill itself makes 158 PS at 4,600 rpm and 250 Nm of torque from 2,400 to 4,400 rpm, used solely to juice the electric motor and the 2.1 kWh battery. So equipped, the X-Trail e-Power can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in eight seconds flat on its way to a top speed of 170 km/h, while fuel consumption is rated at 5.8 litres per 100 km. An e-4orce all-wheel-drive system with a separate rear motor is also available, but it’s unlikely Malaysia will get it.
As is already well-known, the X-Trail represents a seismic stylistic departure from the current X-Trail, sporting split LED headlights, a large V-motion grille, an optional black roof and C-shaped taillight graphics. The more modern look is carried over inside with a wing-shaped dashboard, a wide centre console and a freestanding infotainment touchscreen.
The car you see here is a Singaporean unit – as evidenced by the windscreen-mounted on-board unit (OBU) for the country’s Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system – and is therefore not representative of the local spec. For what it’s worth, however, it comes with 19-inch two-tone alloy wheels, 12.3-inch instrument and infotainment displays, a 10.8-inch head-up display, a ten-speaker Bose sound system, adaptive cruise control and the aforementioned e-4orce all-wheel drive.
Given that the X-Trail is no longer produced in Thailand, the car will almost certainly be imported from Japan and therefore will unfortunately be priced to match. Still, are you excited for its long-awaited launch? Sound off in the comments after the jump.
