Nissan’s e-Power series hybrid system brings some serious efficiency improvements for its third generation. The most significant? A new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder serving as a generator. Designed specifically as a generator for the e-Power system, this pint-sized engine utilizes cold spray technology to minimize the formation of excessive intermetallic compounds and micro-voids. This allows for the bonding of dissimilar metals, enhancing adhesion, durability, and reliability. Unlike the existing e-Power models, this engine also ditches the variable compression setup thanks to its impressive efficiency.
The engine itself has a thermal efficiency of 42% thanks to Nissan’s proprietary STARC concept. As a result, it minimizes airflow turbulence from the intake port into the combustion chamber for strong tumble flow. Additionally, Nissan engineers use a valve seat built using cold spray technology. This allows the coating to be formed on the cylinder head surface, eliminating the need for a separate valve seat component. It also results in an optimized intake port geometry and high thermal conductivity for improved cooling performance around the valves.
Nissan e-Power: EV Refinement Meets Convenience
The e-Power system is a series hybrid. That means the gas engine acts strictly as a generator, while the electric motor turns the wheels. Power is first supplied to the battery, then to the electric motor. Additionally, e-Power eschews a transmission or lockup clutch, since the gas engine can’t power the wheels. The system also gains more power, increasing to 151 kW (up 11 kW) or 202 hp. In Sport mode, the system gains an extra 10 kW or 13 hp, bringing the total to 215 hp.
Nissan also utilizes its 5-in-1 modular powertrain unit. This bundles together the electric motor, generator, inverter, reducer, and increaser into a single compact package. In total, Nissan’s latest hybrid system sees a real-world fuel economy improvement of up to 16 percent. Meanwhile, it sees a 14% reduction in highway fuel consumption versus the current generation. Expect this powertrain to debut in North America on the next-generation Rogue. That vehicle arrives sometime in 2026.
Source: Nissan
