Nissan Note series hybrid: Leaf drivetrain + small battery + 1.2L generator

[MetroMPG]

Nissan is selling a true series hybrid in Japan that they're calling "E-Power", and they're basically describing as a gateway drug to 100% EV adoption.

It's nearly as efficient as a Prius on the notoriously lenient Japese fuel economy test cycle (which doesn't have much if any prolonged high speed driving).




It's a parts bin car, developed to be relatively inexpensive:

- powered by a modified 1.2L 3-cylinder engine from the Micra
- electric drivetrain components from the Leaf
- small 1.5 kWh battery (under the front seats)

The engine never powers the wheels directly:



Fuel economy on the JC-08 cycle:

- 37.2 km/L (87 mpg US, 2.69 L/100km); 34.0 km/L (80 mpg US, 2.94 L/100km); and 34.0 km/L

For comparison, the 2016 prius is rated at 94 mpg US on the JC-08,
vs their 80-87 mpg.

A couple of vids (turn on subtitles / autotranslate if you dare):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le7poqfEkJo

The second one is just a P.O.V. clip. It shows how often the gas engine comes on (a lot). Some reports are mistakenly saying the engine only runs at its 2500 RPM BSFC sweet spot, but you can clearly hear/see that it revs up much higher when the driver floors the gas a few times.

Keep an eye on the engine/battery graphic on the right side of the instrument cluster:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGDOpZDqtSM

Nissan's press release:

https://newsroom.nissan-global.com/r...lang=en-US&rss

[NeilBlanchard]

Interesting, indeed - especially about the higher engine RPM under demanding situations. The intake manifold looks like a 2 cylinder - the third one must be tucked in below the outer two.

[MetroMPG]

I thought the same thing - about it looking like a twin.

[rmay635703]

1.3 liters 3 banger.

The only solice is if...
1. It gets sold here
2. Its a LOT cheaper than a Prius C
3. Its far easier to convert to EV than a Prii

[MetroMPG]

The Note hybrid is priced at :

Pricing for the entry-level S-trim starts at ¥1,772,280 (US$16,900)

Quick search:

The Aqua (Prius C) was launched in Japan in December 2011 at a price of ¥1.69 million (US$21,700),

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius_C

Interesting!

[MetroMPG]

I predict the Note hybrid gets nowhere near the Prii highway fuel economy ratings though.

[MetroMPG]

Seems like Nissan is expanding their e-power line-up...

It will unveil a Juke e-Power concept at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show this fall, previewing a possible production version, according to Car and Driver.

[MetroMPG]

Interesting: Nissan's weird little Note hybrid is outselling the Prius in Japan.

That's got the company considering expanding sales to other markets:

Nissan Considers Bringing Its Unusual e-Power Technology to America

[rmay635703]

Per the Japanese cycle it's less efficient than a Prius , less expensive but with more acceleration.

[MetroMPG]

rmay, do you have any numbers handy?

Old Tele man - my first thought when I saw this car was that it's going to fire up the some modders who will want to expand the battery capacity and add a plug. Similar to the way some 2nd gen Priuses were modded, except this will arguably be a better as an EV than that car was.