Development of a Brand New Hybrid Powertrain for C-segment SUV

Authors

M. Takaoka, A. Shibuya, N. Nakada, N. Yoshida - Nissan Motor Co. Ltd

Summary

Nissan’s unique 100 % electrically driven hybrid system (e-POWER) is a fully motor-driven electric power system, where power is entirely generated by the engine. This system can achieve significant fuel economy in the vehicle class while maintaining a smooth acceleration and high level of quietness (EV-ness).

This article describes a hybrid powertrain newly developed for a C-segment SUV, aimed at launching e-POWER into the global market.

To satisfy the global requirement for high vehicle speed and towing driving, the output power of the driving motor has been increased from the current e-POWER. Since it is also necessary to increase the energy generated by the ICE, a new engine with a variable compression ratio system (VC-TURBO engine) has been adopted, which has the advantage of both high fuel efficiency at fixed-point operation and high output power.

The operation of each component in the e-POWER system is optimized by maximizing the utilization of the VC-TURBO engine’s characteristics.

Due to this development, top-level acceleration performance and quietness in its class can be achieved with significant fuel economy.