Nissan "Note e-POWER" (test drive on public roads)

Nissan's "Notebook" is a B-segment compact car that is being rolled out globally, but four years have passed since the current model was announced in August 2012. Major minor changes have been made to inspire the market.

The topic of big minors will be limited to the introduction of "e-POWER". It is a so-called series hybrid that generates electricity with a gasoline engine and runs only on the generated electricity. It aims to provide a simpler EV to many users by utilizing the experience of EV (electric vehicle) "Leaf".

Note e-POWER X (Premium Corona Metallic). The body size is 4100 x 1695 x 1520 mm (total length x total width x total height), the wheelbase is 2600 mm, and the vehicle weight is 1210 kg. Set the "V motion grill". A "boomerang lamp signature" using LED lamps is set in the headlights to express a sense of spaciousness and dynamism. The blue decoration inside the V-motion grill has been changed in shape to the rear bumper dedicated to e-POWER to give it a wing-shaped silhouette, and the rear combination lamp has a V-shaped "boomerang lamp signature".

The series hybrid used to exist as a model of Toyota's minibus "Coaster", but it is the first attempt in the world to offer a compact car that is familiar to many users at a low price.

Let's review the system overview of e-POWER. The 1.2-liter in-line 3-cylinder gasoline engine used in the conventional model is installed in the same position as the combe model for power generation, and the compact battery under the front seat is charged to supply electricity to the driving motor.

Since the Leaf used only the electricity stored in the battery to drive the motor, it needed a large capacity battery and was heavy, but the Note e-POWER has a power generation engine, so the battery can be made smaller and lighter. I was also able to keep the price down. By the way, while the drive battery capacity of the Leaf is 24 to 30kWh (depending on the model), the e-POWER requires a small battery of 1.5kWh.

The drive motor produces a maximum output of 80kW (109PS) / 3008-10000rpm and a maximum torque of 254Nm (25.9kgm) / 0-3008rpm. The JC08 mode fuel efficiency of the test drive e-POWER X is 34.0km / L. The e-POWER S is 37.2km / L, which reduces the vehicle weight to 1170kg by simplifying the equipment.

Personally, since it is an engine that only generates electricity, I imagined that an engine with a smaller displacement would be fine, but in reality it was necessary to have a 1.2 liter class engine to produce enough torque to match the drive motor. ..

This engine has the same name as the HR12DE type installed in the S and MEDALIST X, which are the usual models of notebooks, but the tuning is different, and the compression ratio is increased from 10.2 to 12.0 to emphasize low-speed torque for power generation. It has an output of 58kW / 103Nm, ​​but it is set so that it can produce a wide range of torque in the low speed range. In addition, only the fuel tank of e-POWER S was reduced to 35L (others were 41L).

Since e-POWER is not a plug-in hybrid, it cannot be charged externally and runs only on the electricity generated by the engine. Since the battery is originally small, it can only run for a few kilometers with its own storage.

On the left side (driver's seat side) is an in-line 3-cylinder DOHC 1.2-liter "HR12DE" engine, and on the right side (passenger seat side) is an "e-power train" that combines the same "EM57" AC synchronous motor and inverter as the leaf. Layout.Lithium-ion battery that stores electric power for driving is placed under the front seat

Since the motor and inverter are basically those of the Leaf, the rated output is 70kW (95PS). By sharing the power components, it was possible to reduce costs. The price of e-POWER S is strategic at about 1.77 million yen, which is less than 2 million yen. However, it seems natural to equip it with an air conditioner, so it will actually start from about 1.96 million yen for e-POWER X, but even so, it is a bargain sale for an EV.

The weight of the vehicle is 1210kg (e-POWER X), which is 220kg lighter than the 1430kg (S 24kWh model) leaf. Since the conventional Note X weighs 1040 kg, it increases by 170 kg, but it is lightly finished as a mass-produced EV that can secure a cruising range.

Instrument panel of e-POWER X.The steering is a 3-spoke urethane type shift selector that is similar to the one inherited from the leaf. The parking rake is a side brake type that is placed between the front seats, and only the accelerator and brake pedals are laid out under the driver's feet.