Today, Nissan officially presented a complete new generation SUV model X-Trail, which offers more space, seven seats, a sharper new design, but most importantly, a “smart” e-Power hybrid system for improved efficiency and performance.
Continuing its electrification drive, Nissan launched its all-new X-Trail with seven seats and an e-Power hybrid engine, as well as a version of the e-4ORCE with two engines and four-wheel drive. Of course there is a completely new design with sharp lines and shapes as well as new advanced technology for safety and comfort.
The largest SUV from Nissan in Europe is based on the latest CMF-C platform of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, and it brings great improvements when it comes to offering space and accommodating technology and powertrain, which is very important for a seven-seat SUV.
The new platform also allowed Nissan’s engineers to fit a relatively compact 2.1kWh lithium-ion battery that is charged by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with variable compression ratio technology, helping to further increase efficiency.
Adapted from a similar system used by Nissan in Japan, Nissan UK’s technical center has comprehensively redesigned and adapted the hybrid technology to provide a driving experience similar to that of an all-electric car. So in practice the gasoline engine never drives the wheels directly. Instead, it acts as a range-extending generator, operating in the most efficient mode to charge the battery during light driving or the strongest mode when maximum acceleration is required.
The battery powers a front-axle-mounted electric motor that delivers 201PS and 330Nm of torque in the single-motor e-Power model.
Nissan claims the sprint to 100km/h takes eight seconds, but more importantly the X-Trail can average just 4.8L/100km and emit just 132g/km of CO2. Also, the X-Trail inherited the e-Power e-Pedal Step regenerative braking technology from the Qashqai to increase efficiency.
New for the X-Trail is the e-Power e-4ORCE version, with two engines and all-wheel drive. This version has another electric motor on the rear axle for a total of 210hp. In the version with five seats and two engines, the X-Trail accelerates to 100 km/h in just seven seconds, with an average consumption of 5.2 l/100 km.
The second electric motor means the X-Trail e-Power e-4ORCE has 10,000 times faster torque response compared to a conventional all-wheel drive system, giving the driver more control and more traction in poor conditions. Also, Nissan says that adding regenerative braking on the rear axle to the already existing system on the front axle results in a significantly more stable ride when decelerating.
In addition to the e-Power hybrid offering, the X-Trail will also be available with a mild hybrid 1.5 liter turbo petrol engine, which also features variable compression ratio technology. This engine produces 161PS and 300 Nm of torque, and paired with a CVT automatic transmission, accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds, while its average consumption will be 5.9 l/100 km.