Driving Nissan’s small new Qashqai e-Power hybrid SUV today - only available
on the top-spec Ti grade - $4,200 dearer to the conventional petrol-only Ti at a
rather hefty $56,000 drive-away. Unlike the 1.3-litre turbo petrol models the e-
Power hybrid utilises a variable compression 1.5-litre turbo petrol three-cylinder
engine and it works differently to a conventional hybrid – the petrol engine does
not drive the front wheels – it purely powers a generator connected to an invertor
and a 2,1kWh lithium-ion battery pack – only the e-motor drives the front wheels
through a single speed reduction drive – the drive experience quiet, smooth and
rewarding offering nearly a 1000 km driving range and a stated economy figures
of just 5.2L/100km on the combined city/country cycle – however, I managed
5.9L/100km with mainly city driving. It does however need dearer 95 grade petrol.
Whilst the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power offers around a 1L/100km saving over a
conventional petrol model its price penalty is a real dampener to its purchase.
When and if Nissan introduce the e-Power technology onto lower Qashqai grades
it will make more sense. It’s a really nice driver but at the moment, for my money,
the 1.3-litre four-cylinder pure petrol variants are hard to pass.

Driving Nissan’s small new Qashqai e-Power hybrid SUV today - only available on the top-spec Ti grade - $4,200 dearer to the conventional petrol-only Ti at a rather hefty $56,000 drive-away. Unlike the 1.3-litre turbo petrol models the e- Power hybrid utilises a variable compression 1.5-litre turbo petrol three-cylinder engine and it works differently to a conventional hybrid – the petrol engine does not drive the front wheels – it purely powers a generator connected to an invertor and a 2,1kWh lithium-ion battery pack – only the e-motor drives the front wheels through a single speed reduction drive – the drive experience quiet, smooth and rewarding offering nearly a 1000 km driving range and a stated economy figures of just 5.2L/100km on the combined city/country cycle – however, I managed 5.9L/100km with mainly city driving. It does however need dearer 95 grade petrol. Whilst the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power offers around a 1L/100km saving over a conventional petrol model its price penalty is a real dampener to its purchase. When and if Nissan introduce the e-Power technology onto lower Qashqai grades it will make more sense. It’s a really nice driver but at the moment, for my money, the 1.3-litre four-cylinder pure petrol variants are hard to pass.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

Motor Torque with David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873 

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873&nbsp;