MOTORING REVIEW: Limerick drivers are spoilt for choice with Nissan electric cars

IT WAS a case of being spoilt for choice for test drives at a recent Nissan event to highlight four of their new, or revised, cars.

The electrified powertrains, for different customer usage, were Mild Hybrid, Hybrid, e-Power, and 100pc EV.

Cars available to us were the Ariya fully-electric coupe crossover, X-Trail, Qashqai, and Juke.

Ariya:

The all-electric Nissan Ariya is a large, beautifully styled car with a premium feel to it introduced here last May, fuelling Nissan’s rapid shift towards a 100pc electrified future.

It drives like a performance car. The Ariya e-4orce version gets dual motor AWD technology.

MOTORING REVIEW: Limerick drivers will be impressed as iconic model goes all-electric

Nissan Ireland expect it will become one of the best-selling EVs in this country combining the brand’s EV, crossover and performance expertise that has already made the Nissan Leaf and Qashqai market leaders. It is also the most technically advanced Nissan to date, to meet the needs of tech-savvy customers.

The minimalist dash is stunning in its design. Two big 12.3-inch screens dominate. Features include ProPilot with Navi-Link, Nissan Connected Services, and e-Pedal which allows drivers to start, accelerate and decelerate using just the accelerator pedal.

Nissan’s Safety Shield System is standard and includes Intelligent 360 Around View Monitor, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Cruise Control, Emergency Braking, Rear Emergency Braking and cross traffic alert technology.

Battery options are a 63kW battery delivering a range of 403 kms and an 87kWh battery with up to 532 kms of range.

The 63kWh entry grade starts at €48,995 with the higher spec grade in the same battery option is from €51,995. Both prices are inclusive of Government grants. The top 87kWh version comes in at €66,995.

The battery is charged via a Combo CCS charging plug.

X-Trail and Qashqai hybrids

The big interest on the day was that both X-Trail and Qashqai hybrid models sported Nissan’s e-Power system which takes a different approach to how a hybrid vehicle normally works.

The X-Trail family crossover we drove was the seven-seater version only available with 4WD e-4orce which has an electric motor front and rear. There’s also a five-seater. Nissan claim e-4orce delivers outstanding ride and handling, a quietness on the road, and effortless manoeuvrability.

Boot capacity ranges from 560 in the five seater to 465 litres in the seven seater. Fuel consumption is circa 6.0L, 6.6L. Annual road tax is from €210-€270.

Grades are SV, SV Premium, SVE. The entry level spec includes 18-inch alloy wheels, full LED auto headlamps, auto wipers, eParking brake, Hill start assist and auto hold, 7-inch colour TFT Combimeter, rearview camera, an 8-inch display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and two zone air con.

The car features many top end safety and security features including ProPilot, Intelligent Cruise control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and rear automatic braking.

The five seater is priced from €45,995; the seven seater from €54,995.

Nissan Ireland claim Qashqai e-Power will be a game-changer for motorists seeking to achieve a more fuel efficient and sustainable way of driving without buying a 100pc electric vehicle. A solution to those not quite ready to make the move to a fully electric vehicle.

Nissan call it ‘the ultimate electrified crossover for urban drive’.

The e-Power system delivers a responsive, efficient and quieter drive without the need to recharge. This 100pc electric motor driven system, unique to Nissan, includes a petrol engine, battery, inverter and the electric motor which is the sole source of driving power. The 1.5, 3-cylinder petrol engine just boosts the battery as the electric motor only drives the car.

This, Nissan say, leads to better fuel efficiency and lower C02 emissions compared with a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) and provides a driving experience similar to driving a fully electric vehicle, with no delay in torque delivery as can be the case in a traditional hybrid, and the pure electric motor delivers instant acceleration.

Qashqai e-Power prices start from €42,500.

Nissan Juke hybrid

Nissan Juke coupe crossover’s design remains for the MY 2023 car but with some small changes to do with optimising aerodynamic efficiency.

Juke hybrid is more frugal, emits less emissions, has additional power, a smart gearbox, and provides a very satisfying drive.

New MY 2023 Juke, launched last June, uses a new combustion engine specifically developed for working in a hybrid powertrain application. This allows you drive up to 80pc of an urban journey time in electric drive mode - with the engine switched off - but without the need to charge.

This multi-modal hybrid powertrain's ICE engine produces 94hp and 148Nm torque. The electric motor produces 49hp and 205Nm torque. The net result is a powertrain providing 25pc more power than the current petrol engine option with a fuel consumption reduction of up to 40pc in urban cycle, and up to 20pc over the combined cycle.

The car starts in all-electric mode and can reach speeds of up to 55km/h in pure EV mode. The hybrid powertrain prioritises fuel efficiency, responsiveness and a harmonious drive.

Juke hybrid is equipped with e-pedal, a 7-inch screen shows when e-Pedal and EV mode are activated. Boot space is 354 litres expandable to 1,237 litres with rear seats folded.

Juke hybrid prices are from €34,100-€37,100 incl VAT.