Nissan introducing second non-plug-in e-POWER series-hybrid model: Serena e-POWER
24 October 2017
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. will unveil the Nissan Serena e-POWER, a new version of the popular minivan featuring the company’s e-POWER electric drive system (earlier post), at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. The Serena e-POWER will be Nissan’s second model to feature the technology.
e-POWER borrows from the EV technology in the Nissan LEAF. Unlike the all-battery-electric powertrain of the LEAF, e-POWER adds a small gasoline engine to charge the small, high-output battery when necessary, eliminating the need for an external charger while offering the same high-output.
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| Fully integrated e-POWER system with compact battery (at left). Click to enlarge. |
e-POWER delivers massive torque almost instantly, which enhances drive response and results in smooth acceleration. Also, the system operates very quietly, much like a full EV. The gasoline engine of the e-POWER system is strictly for electrical power generation with minimal influence from the opening and closing of the throttle, allowing the engine to always operate in its optimum condition. This results in excellent fuel efficiency.
Further, because e-POWER relies on the engine much less frequently, its fuel efficiency is comparable to that of leading conventional hybrids, especially during around-the-town commutes, Nissan says.
In e-POWER Drive mode, the driver can accelerate and decelerate using only the throttle pedal, significantly reducing the necessity to move his or her foot to depress the brake pedal—i.e., one-pedal driving.
e-POWER was first introduced in November 2016, when the Nissan Note e-POWER was launched in Japan. The Note e-POWER couples a 1.2-liter, three-cylinder HR12DE engine with a 1.5 kWh battery pack and the EM57 traction motor from the LEAF.
There are three driving modes in the Note e-POWER: Normal, S and Eco. In Normal, the car produces excellent acceleration off the line and stopping power (lifting off the acceleration pedal) that’s on par with the braking of its conventional gasoline-powered counterparts. In S, the car accelerates even quicker with enhanced stopping power. In Eco, the car goes into gasoline-saving mode by regulating the battery power.
The Serena is already known for its spacious interior and smooth ride. With e-POWER, it will also offer the powerful, responsive acceleration of an electric-drive vehicle, along with above-its-class quietness and excellent fuel efficiency.
The latest iteration of ProPILOT, Nissan’s single-lane autonomous driving technology for highway use, will also be available in the Serena e-POWER.
The Serena e-POWER features a blue-accented badge on the grille, as well as custom LED tail lights and aerodynamically designed aluminum wheels. These and other visual cues convey the Serena e-POWER’s exciting performance and advanced feel. Inside the vehicle, second-row passengers will be able to enjoy captain seats, also with blue accents, for greater comfort and convenience.
The Serena e-POWER is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in the spring of 2018.
Another HEV, 19 years after the Toyota Prius first generation?
Will this unit be upgraded to PHEV and BEV after 2020?
Posted by: HarveyD | 24 October 2017 at 07:29 AM
Lets see how good it is.
Lets see what mpg it really gets, and lets see if they move the drivetrain into any other vehicles.
A 1.5 KwH battery sounds very small, but I'm sure Nissan have done their sums. You would think they could bring it up to 3 or 5 KwH without too much bother (and add a plug..).
Posted by: mahonj | 24 October 2017 at 09:58 AM
It's a serial hybrid with not much of a buffer battery
I suspect the engine runs pretty much all the time to keep the car moving. Look for the engineers to increase the battery capacity as the car matures and drivers start enjoying the quiet motor.
Posted by: Lad | 24 October 2017 at 12:07 PM
@Lad,
I would imagine the engine would run all (or much) of the time on the open road. In a city, it probably wouldn't run that much if you were stuck in traffic.
But I agree, a larger battery would be nice - you could put 1 r 2 PC panels of about 400-500W and charge it in the sun (as an option). You might get 2-3KWh from it.
Or maybe just plug it in if convenient.
Posted by: mahonj | 24 October 2017 at 12:37 PM
@Lad even if it runs all the time, it a 1.2-liter running at the optimum setting. this is better than a parallel hybrid.
Posted by: dursun | 24 October 2017 at 02:03 PM
It will be a gas hog compared to a parallel hybrid, and even compared to some non-hybrids, when driven at highway speed. Combining the inefficiency of a generator, a motor, and the electronics results in much more power loss than a gear drive train.
Yeah, in dense traffic, it might do pretty well. I'm still looking for real world fuel economy info, but it's hard to find.
Posted by: KokomoKid1 | 21 May 2018 at 01:40 PM
@KoKomoKid1 world leader in automotive reporting , Automotive news , that test drive the note E-power got 88 MPG real world or EV journey Or Forbes media.
Posted by: c b | 15 November 2018 at 08:05 AM
@KoKomoKid1 No hybrid is efficient at highway speed, they are all most efficient at low speed, including the E power, they all suffer from efficiency at high speed. And the E power is not a gas hog as speed at 60 MPH, It more efficient than the prius, that why it outselling it in Japan, it 80 MPH that will hurt it just like any parallel hybrid. In Automotivenews test drive the driver got 55 MPG going up hills in the note e-power, but of course the drive was done in eco mode.
Posted by: c b | 15 November 2018 at 08:18 AM
@HarveyD Nissan have their first ever really hybrid 17 years ago, sold only in Japan called 'tino hybrid', which was a parallel hybrid which uses two motor, two clutch and a CVT, and had a solar rear glass which store energy in a battery and power the small ACC. It use LI-ON battery which was a bit larger and more enrgy density than the prius battery which it it allow it to run a bit more distant under EV mode. A version of the tino hybrid can be found on top speed who got 600 miles out of a single tank. Hope this is not a repeat of nissan Japan only, which 11 years after, they bring a water down version called one motor two clutch in the infiniti, then the nissan itself.
Posted by: c b | 15 November 2018 at 08:33 AM