Mexican Media Brands
Nissan Powers Up Series Hybrid Tests in Michigan
Nissan Motor Co. has been spotted testing a hybrid version of its Note hatchback in Michigan.
#hybrid
Share
Nissan Motor Co. is testing a hybrid version of its Note hatchback in Michigan, according to recent media reports and spy photos.
The carmaker introduced the Note e-Power series hybrid model in Japan late last year. The architecture, which is similar to that of the Chevrolet Volt, teams a front axle-mounted electric motor and lithium-ion battery with a small gasoline engine.
Unlike the Volt and other so-called extended-range hybrids, the Note e-Power has no plug-in capability. Instead, the battery is charged solely by a generator powered by a 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder engine. Nissan uses the same engine to drive its March/Micra subcompact car.
Nissan says the Note e-Power’s battery is only about 5% the size of the system used in its Leaf electric vehicle, which is rated at 30 kWh. The engine runs at a constant 2,500 rpm to feed electricity to the battery.
Sales of the Note e-Power in Japan have rivaled that of Toyota Motor Corp.’s top-selling Prius hybrid. Based on that success, Nissan recently announced plans to add an e-Power version of its Serena minivan next spring in Japan.
The Note is marketed in the U.S. as the Versa Note. That vehicle is powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine.
RELATED CONTENT
-
On Electric Pickups, Flying Taxis, and Auto Industry Transformation
Ford goes for vertical integration, DENSO and Honeywell take to the skies, how suppliers feel about their customers, how vehicle customers feel about shopping, and insights from a software exec
-
Robotic Exoskeleton Amplifies Human Strength
The Sarcos Guardian XO Max full-body, all-electric exoskeleton features strength amplification of up to 20 to 1, making 200 pounds—the suit’s upper limit—feel like 10 pounds for the user.
-
Increasing Use of Structural Adhesives in Automotive
Can you glue a car together? Frank Billotto of DuPont Transportation & Industrial discusses the major role structural adhesives can play in vehicle assembly.
