Nissan Qashqai Marks 20 Years with Innovative e-POWER Technology

This year, Nissan celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Qashqai, the crossover that reshaped the European SUV market. Launched in 2003, the Qashqai introduced a new compact crossover concept, blending higher seating with car-like driving. It has since become one of the most popular SUVs, especially in Spain, and now features Nissan’s latest hybrid technology, e-POWER.

How the Qashqai Changed the SUV Scene

Back in 2002, Nissan took a bold step by dropping plans for a new Almera generation, instead focusing on a fresh idea—the Qashqai. Unlike traditional SUVs at the time, which were mostly large and rugged, the Qashqai aimed to offer a taller driving position with comfortable and easy handling, closer to a regular car than an off-roader.

The first Qashqai debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 2006, priced to compete with popular hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf. The gamble paid off quickly: by 2011, Nissan had sold 1 million units worldwide, with 750,000 of those in Europe.

Today, the Qashqai faces tough competition from over 50 similar compact crossovers, a market segment that barely existed when the model first appeared. Yet it remains common on Europe’s streets, with over 4.1 million sold in the region across its three generations. Spain accounts for more than 420,000 units sold, making it a key market.

Current Impact and Production

The Qashqai continues to be an important model for Nissan. It is built in the Sunderland plant in the UK, a hub that also produces the Juke and Leaf. Together, these models support around 6,000 direct jobs at the factory, and the Qashqai’s wider supply chain provides employment for about 30,000 people.

Technology-wise, Nissan’s research center in Barcelona has contributed to safety features and powertrain development throughout the Qashqai’s life. The latest version now brings in the e-POWER system, a hybrid setup where a small petrol engine acts as a generator for an electric motor driving the wheels.

e-POWER Brings a New Hybrid Approach

Unlike typical hybrids, Nissan’s e-POWER does not require plugging in. The petrol engine runs at an efficient speed to generate electricity, while an electric motor handles propulsion. This design aims for smooth, electrified driving with a smaller battery than full electric vehicles, balancing weight and range effectively.

Nearly 250,000 Qashqai units equipped with e-POWER are on European roads, including 20,000 in Spain. Nissan is focused on refining this technology further, believing that the battery size hits a sweet spot for performance and efficiency.

Record-Setting Efficiency

Recently, a Qashqai e-POWER set a Guinness World Record for fuel efficiency in Colombia, and in the UK completed a 1,347 km trip on a single tank with an average fuel use of 3.76 l/100 km. This compares well with the original 2007 diesel model, which managed a slightly longer range but with higher fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The Qashqai’s ongoing evolution shows Nissan’s commitment to delivering practical electrification without overcomplicating ownership. More updates are expected as the brand enhances the e-POWER system in the years ahead.

Source: motor.es