Nissan has announced the launch of its innovative e-POWER and e-4ORCE technologies in Africa, during first ever all-electric Formula E race event in South Africa.
e-POWER is Nissan’s unique 100% electric motor driven system that offers the responsive and effortless driving experience of an all-electric car, without the need to recharge. e-4ORCE is an all-wheel-drive system designed to work exclusively with Nissan’s electrified powertrains, delivering power, comfort, and control in all conditions. For Nissan, these technologies are an essential part of the practical transition for Africa from Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) to Electric Vehicles (EVs).
The launch forms part of a series of events in the lead up to the historic ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Cape Town and introduced attendees to e-POWER and e-4ORCE technologies through a Qashqai and X-Trail driving experience at Killarney International Raceway in Milnerton, Cape Town.
Nissan’s e-POWER combines modern EV technology with an efficient petrol engine to charge the lightweight, lithium-ion battery pack when necessary. The electric motor delivers power directly to the wheels using energy stored in the battery pack, while the petrol engine is used for charging the battery pack or powering the electric motor.
A gateway to EVs
“e-POWER is a gateway technology for customers who aren’t yet ready to make the step to full EV. The technology helps bring more people closer to EV ownership and is a significant step toward our ambitions for an electrified future in support of our sustainability goals,” said Stefan Haasbroek, Nissan Africa, Chief Marketing Management Director.
e-POWER technology is another step in delivering Ambition 2030, the company’s long-term vision for empowering mobility and beyond. Nissan is on a mission to create a cleaner, safer and more inclusive world for everyone and this technology is a proof point for the strides towards an electrified future with zero compromises on excitement.
“Customers are at the heart of our electrification strategy at Nissan. As such, we understand the current barriers to electrification in Africa especially regarding infrastructure and range anxiety, and e-POWER offers a solution to that. Beyond the introduction of technologies like e-POWER, Nissan collaborates with the different stakeholders across the continent at different levels in building policy frameworks to support a future of electric mobility for Africa,” added Whitfield.
e-POWER and e-4ORCE
The e-POWER system was first introduced in Japan in 2017 on the Note compact family car and it went on to become Japan’s number one best-selling car in 2018. It borrows from the EV technology perfected in the Nissan LEAF, the best-selling pure electric car in history.
Unlike conventional hybrid systems, Nissan’s innovative e-POWER technology delivers a constant EV-like drive experience, thanks to the driven wheels being powered only by the electric motors, so response is always instant, linear and smooth. This is a true best-of-both world’s solution, delivering the smooth and immediate acceleration of an EV, only without ever needing to plug in.
This unique and future-facing powertrain means that power to the wheels comes only from the electric motors, which results in instant, linear response to the accelerator, and impressive fuel efficiency.
The power for the electric motors and battery is generated by a highly advanced variable compression turbocharged petrol engine which runs quietly in the background to feed the battery, which then supplies power to the electric motors via an inverter.
The engine is compact and lightweight, and is engineered to deliver high torque from low RPMs. The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine acts as the perfect generator.
The unique element of e-POWER is that the petrol engine is used solely to generate electricity, while the wheels are completely driven by the electric motor. This means the engine can always run within its optimal range, leading to superior fuel efficiency in urban settings.
Under heavy acceleration, and when the battery is low, the petrol engine will deliver power not just to the battery, but to the electric motors, ensuring consistent acceleration no matter the battery status or driving conditions.
Thanks to the pure electric motor drive, there’s no delay as with an internal combustion engine or traditional hybrid. The instant response delivers exhilarating high torque feel and agile acceleration to make overtaking or merging onto a highway easier.
Integral to the design of the e-POWER installation is the linear tube, which governs the operation of the petrol engine, ensuring that it’s spinning at an appropriate speed relative to road speed, avoiding the ” rev-up ” effect of traditional hybrids under hard acceleration.
A secondary benefit is the refinement it brings, ensuring the engine is running only at the speed it needs to, which is typically low in urban and suburban conditions.
In addition to these benefits, the e-POWER drive system guarantees a quiet drive, for example at 40 km/h the sound in the car reduces significantly when compared to ICE-powered variants.
Working exclusively with Nissan’s electrified powertrains, Nissan has designed an innovative all-wheel-drive system, e-4ORCE, delivering reassuring traction and confident acceleration in all conditions.
e-4ORCE is Nissan’s most advanced all-wheel-drive technology for electrified powertrains. It integrates Nissan’s electric propulsion and 4WD control technologies with its chassis-control technology for a huge leap in acceleration, cornering and braking performance. It reinforces handling and drivers’ reassurance on almost all surfaces and the ingenious system offers superior control and immediate response, while pitch management modulates brake balance for a more comfortable ride.
The powerful dual e-motor system has a total output of 157kW thanks to the addition of the rear motor, which allows for keen acceleration, with a zero-100km/h time of just 7.0 seconds. It also has a rear torque response that is up to 10,000 times faster than a mechanical 4WD system.
In addition, the constant torque redistribution, including torque vectoring side to side, and near-perfect weight balance contribute to reassuring handling and ride comfort, enabling a powerful yet smooth, driving experience.
With power distributed almost instantly according to the prevailing conditions, the driver and passengers will be unaware of the system working to maximise traction and control. Indeed, the system will be working even in apparently benign conditions.
The e-4ORCE twin-motor all-wheel-drive system delivers reassuring traction and confident acceleration in all conditions. The system doesn’t just unlock capability, but also delivers better grip, traction and turning ability, enhancing ride and handling.
By specifically managing power output and braking performance for each wheel, e-4ORCE sends power to the outer wheels in a turn, ensuring agility and stability, which results in the vehicle tracing the intended driving line. This advanced traction management is constantly active, giving stability and traction in all driving scenarios, such as damp, muddy, oily, icy and snowy roads.
Nissan’s engineers have fine-tuned the precision control technology and twin electric motors of e-4ORCE to provide unparalleled ride comfort. Vehicle pitch and dive are reduced by adding regenerative braking via the rear motor.
In addition to optimising front and rear torque allocation, the system applies independent brake control at each of the four wheels to maximise the cornering force generated by each one. This delivers cornering that faithfully follows driver intentions with minimal steering adjustments.
As the electrification transition accelerates across the globe, Nissan is dedicated to supporting customers on their own journey with a thrilling and diverse range of electrified vehicles.
“We’re excited to be on this journey towards full electrification together with our customers to meet their individual driving needs with a clear differentiation thanks to electrified powertrains and unique Nissan technologies,” concluded Stefan Haasbroek, Nissan Africa, Chief Marketing Management Director.
