[QUICK REVIEW] Nissan Kicks e-Power: A Unique Hybrid Experience

With the internal combustion engine serving as a power generator for the battery and motor, rather than directly driving the car, the fuel consumption of the Nissan Kicks e-Power is truly impressive, at about 2.2L/100km – similar to current scooters on the market! This is the biggest advantage of Nissan’s e-Power hybrid technology.

The second advantage is that consumers can access an electric car product without having to change their usage habits because the car still runs on gasoline. This eliminates the initial difficulties when the charging infrastructure is not yet able to meet the demand and usage habits. In other words, you can drive an electric car, but still fill up with gasoline! Surprising, isn’t it?

The third advantage is that the Vietnamese car market has shown signs of catching up with the general development trend of the global auto industry. Vietnam is no longer the “third market” or the “blank spot in consumption”. There have been pure electric vehicles, concept cars developed specifically for the region, and a variety of hybrid models – for the majority of consumers, not just the luxury car segment.

These three major advantages are held by the Nissan Kicks e-Power. So what makes this newly launched B-segment crossover on November 2, 2022 so special?

Real-world performance just like an electric car

Developed from the pure electric Nissan Leaf, the e-Power technology on the Nissan Kicks includes the main components: a high-powered W electric motor, a Lithium-ion battery pack, an inverter, a gasoline engine and a power generator (which converts motion energy into electrical energy).

Details of the operation: the gasoline engine, a 1.2L DOHC 3-cylinder, will operate to drive the power generator. The electrical energy will then pass through the inverter to stabilize the voltage and current, and then be transferred to the battery for energy storage or directly supplied to the electric motor system located at the rear axle, thus turning the wheels.

In essence, the e-Power system on the Nissan Kicks is different from regular hybrid cars in that the gasoline engine does not directly drive the wheels, it only provides power. Compared to pure electric vehicles, the e-Power system on the Nissan Kicks is similar in that the wheels only operate on the electric motor.

Thanks to this, the 2022 Nissan Kicks e-Power can generate a maximum power of up to 134 horsepower and a maximum torque of 280 Nm from the beginning of the rotation. In real-world experience, the Nissan Kicks provides an impressive acceleration feel, similar to electric vehicles: instant torque at the start.

Meanwhile, the car is also equipped with energy recovery when braking, which reduces fuel consumption to a very low level, only 2.2L /100km (in urban conditions) – a surprising figure – equivalent to current regular scooters! Users can save on fuel costs and contribute to protecting the environment with significantly reduced emissions.

In addition, Nissan introduces many interesting features along with the e-Power technology, including: EV mode (completely turning off the gasoline engine), for a completely silent driving experience like a pure electric car; e-Pedal Step: an electronic pedal that allows you to drive the car with just one pedal (combining acceleration and braking – suitable for driving in city traffic).

Full of technology, compact space, youthful design

Not disappointing consumers, the Nissan Kicks e-Power is introduced in Vietnam along with a range of advanced safety technologies, including: a 360-degree camera system with moving object detection, drowsiness warning, cruise control combined with electronic parking brake with auto hold, hill start assist, reverse sensors, and especially 6 airbags all around the car…