Nissan recently announced its new hybrid car, the Nissan Note, which will be equipped with the new E-power system. The new system they have developed enables the vehicle to run and function like an electric vehicle without having the need to be plugged in or charged the battery from an outside source. The E-power system may have been the key factor to a test drive conducted by Automotive Asia reporter Hans Greimel that gave a better result than the one officially announced by Nissan.
The Test Drive Of E-Powered Nissan
Greimel test-drove the car in Yokohama Japan and used his smart phone to document the results. He stated that he was shocked after the drive when he saw a reading of 37.5 kilometers per liter on the in-dash. Official tests results by Nissan only reads at 37.2 kilometers per liter for the new Note. Greimel stated that the results would occasionally change depending on when he is going on a hill climb or downhill but the overall result still showed a respectable rating.
E-Power System and Nissan's Hybrid engine
Nissan created an engine that they call a series hybrid. This type of vehicle has its wheels being turned by the electric motor only. A conventional hybrid gets its power from both an electric and the petrol engine that may not be as efficient as the creation of Nissan. E-power also packs a lot of instant torque that responds whenever needed. The torque leads to more economic fuel consumption due to its responsiveness that allows less fuel to be wasted, especially on steep climbs.
The new E-powered Nissan Note is currently available only in Japan but Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn says that the E-power system will definitely reach the European market in the future. The Note's carbon dioxide emission is only 62 gram per kilometer, a result that will pass the European target of 95 gram per kilometer comfortably.
