Nissan Takes Different Note on Hybrids

Nissan Motor Co. is introducing an extended-range series hybrid variant of its Note hatchback in Japan.

The drivetrain teams a front axle-mounted electric motor and small lithium-ion battery with a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine. The battery pack is packaged entirely under the car's passenger compartment.

Unlike the Chevrolet Volt and other extended-range hybrids, there is no plug-in capability to charge the battery pack. That is done entirely by the engine, a unit also used in the current March/Micra subcompact car.

Nissan says the Note e-Power’s battery pack is only about 5% the size of the system used in its Leaf electric vehicle, which is rated at 30 kWh. The engine is tuned to achieve peak efficiency at 2,500 rpm.

No other technical specifications were provided. But the car is expected to get about 87 mpg on the Japanese driving cycle, according to leaked company documents.

Nissan plans to use a similar range-extender setup in its upcoming Gripz sporty hatchback. The company says the architecture could eventually be used in a variety of vehicles and markets. But there are no immediate plans to offer the Note e-Power outside Japan, where the car will be priced at 1.96 million yen ($19,000).

The conventionally powered Note is sold as the Versa Note in North America.