Qashqai e-Power here before end of year

BY MATT BROGAN | 3rd Oct 2023

THE Nissan Qashqai e-Power will follow in the tyre treads of the larger X-Trail e-Power when the model arrives in Australian showrooms later this year.

Speaking to GoAuto at the launch of the Nissan Patrol Warrior by Premcar this week, Nissan Australia managing director, Adam Paterson, said the hybridised SUV will add to the importer’s growing range of electrified models.

“We will announce Qashqai e-Power pricing and availability later in the year, and we do have one more launched planned before the year’s end,” he said, noting that the model would be sold online in much the same way as the recent Z Nismo.

Like the X-Trail, with which the Qashqai shares its platform, the e-Power variant operates in a different manner to regular petrol-electric hybrids. Instead of having an electric motor which runs alongside or instead of the petrol unit, the e-Power arrangement uses the petrol engine only to provide charge for the battery and/or electric drive unit.

Already available in overseas markets, the Nissan Qashqai e-Power utilises a variable compression 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 115kW. It provides power for a 140kW/330Nm electric motor mounted on the front axle, driving the front wheels.

GoAuto understands the Qashqai e-Power sips 5.3 litres per 100km (combined), or 0.6L/100km less than the entry-grade 1.3-litre petrol.

Mr Paterson would not be drawn on pricing or specification for the Qashqai e-Power at this point in time, but it is likely the model will attract a price premium over the petrol-powered range, in much the same vein as the X-Trail range.

Currently, and by way of reference, the X-Trail e-Power is priced from $49,990 plus on-road costs, or $6300 more than the equivalent petrol variant. Applying the same differential to the Qashqai range – and assuming Nissan Australia offers a related variant – the e-Power model will likely start from $47,500 +ORC.

The 2023 Nissan Qashqai range is currently priced from $33,890 to $47,390 +ORC. As of August 31, it ranks eleventh within its sales segment with year-to-date sales of 4385 units.

The popular SUV Small under $45K segment is currently led by the MG ZS (20,624 unit sales to the end of August 2023), ahead of the Mazda CX-30 (8376), GWM Haval Jolion (7353), Kia Seltos (7304), Hyundai Kona (6260), Mitsubishi ASX (5695), Volkswagen T-Roc (5418), Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (5207), Subaru Crosstrek (5014), and Toyota Corolla Cross (4978).

2023 Nissan Qashqai pricing*: